Komoot joins Strava with full Apple Watch offline navigation
A few days after Strava updated its Apple Watch app with native route navigation, Komoot has now rolled out its own wrist-based upgrade. The new app offers full offline maps, turn-by-turn directions, and phone-free activity tracking.
Komoot steps up with full offline mode on Apple Watch
All of this means you can leave your phone behind and still find your way. You load the route on your Apple Watch via the Komoot app, and it handles the turn-by-turn directions on its own. As long as the map region is unlocked, it works offline and doesn’t need a subscription.
While you’re moving, it shows stats like time and distance, and saves everything to Apple Health after the workout. The maps are detailed enough to spot small trails, and you can zoom or scroll around if you need to reorient.
A useful update
This update has been a long time coming. According to the company, over 100 user interviews and surveys shaped the new watch experience. Full independence from the phone came up again and again. The result is something far more capable than the old mirroring system that just pinged directions from your phone.
While this new app already covers the basics, Komoot is planning more. Features like auto-rerouting, offline activity queuing, and real-time location sharing are already being tested. There’s also the promise of instant sync, which would push last-minute route updates from your iPhone to the watch before heading out. Customisation options for the in-app display are also on the roadmap.
These will arrive gradually over the course of 2026. But even in its current form, Komoot’s Apple Watch app makes a strong case for going phone-free on outdoor adventures. It matches what Strava is now offering on the watch, but with the added appeal of detailed route planning and offline support baked in from the start.
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