Offline mapping and turn-by-turn directions land, setting a new bar for outdoor smartwatch apps
Just days after Strava’s beta leak for Apple Watch route guidance, Komoot has stolen the spotlight with a massive 2026 update to its Apple Watch app.
The new version introduces full offline navigation, allowing users to leave their iPhones at home (or deep in a backpack) while maintaining access to detailed maps and turn-by-turn guidance.
So, how does it work? Well, users can now download specific map regions directly to their compatible Apple Watch.
Then, when a route is saved for offline use, Komoot downloads a 3 km-wide strip of topographic data along the route. If users start a recording without a pre-planned route, the app automatically caches a 5.5km x 5.5km square around their current location to help them find their way back (even if cellular signal drops).
The app even supports Apple’s Water Lock, ensuring rain or sweat doesn’t cause “phantom touches” during a wet hike.
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The platform also shared its roadmap for 2026 as part of the update announcement, which includes automatic rerouting, real-time location sharing, and deeper customization of the navigation screen’s data fields.
For now, though, this update provides an independent experience that works for any user who has unlocked a map region—regardless of whether they pay for Komoot Premium.
The Wareable take
With this long-awaited update, Komoot has made the Apple Watch a much more realistic and viable Garmin alternative for hikers. While Strava’s new navigation is a welcome breadcrumb tool, Komoot’s offline support is a true game-changer for the outdoor community.
The ability to pan and zoom on a topographic map without a phone connection is a feature usually reserved for mid-range and high-end outdoor watches. So, for the casual hiker who already owns an Apple Watch, this update significantly devalues the need for a dedicated device.
It’s a bold, high-value move that proves phone-free independence is the next frontier for fitness apps. And we’ll be testing it out over the coming months to see how polished it is in practice.
