Searching for a POI using the Search in Main menu of Navigator (Android/iOS)
In the MapFactor Navigator app for both Android and iOS, you can easily search for so-called points of interest (POI), such as petrol stations, restaurants, accommodation, parking, tourist destinations, ATMs, and many other useful places while travelling. Navigator includes tens of thousands of these POIs, which can be searched even without an internet connection, so you can rely on them even in offline mode.
This guide focuses on searching for POIs via the app’s main menu – that is, outside the map and outside of active navigation. This method is ideal for planning a route or looking for a place you want to navigate to.
When searching from the menu, you can choose the area in which you want to search for POIs – for example:
- by address or POI name,
- nearest from the map center,
- nearest from your current GPS position,
- nearest from your selected destination,
- search in imported custom POIs (Android version only).
In the following steps, we’ll show you how to search using each of these options.
Searching for a Point of Interest (POI) in Navigator for Android
To search for a POI from the main menu of Navigator for Android (version 6 and above), use the POI tab.
In the first step, select how you want to search for a point of interest:
- by address or POI name,
- in imported custom POIs,
- nearest from the map center,
- nearest from your current GPS position,
- nearest from destination (if entered).
Searching for a POI by Address or Name
(Example – search and use the “Show on map” action.)
Points of interest (POIs), such as restaurants, hospitals, various types of accommodation, parking, bus stops, etc., are divided into 7 categories in Navigator for Android.
Searching for a POI Around the Map Center, GPS Position, or Destination
Other types of POI searches work similarly – the only difference is the location around which the search is conducted. The process remains the same.
(Example: searching for a POI and using the result to set a destination.)
Actions with a Found POI
Once you find the desired place/POI, you can perform a range of actions via the action menu in Navigator for Android:
- Navigate (starts navigation to the selected POI)
- Set as Start (use the selected POI as the starting point)
Note: Using a “Start” point for route calculation vs. for navigation:
When navigating, the app always uses your current GPS position as the starting point, not the manually set Start point. The Start point is used only when you calculate a route via Tools / Calculate Route, in Simulate route, or via Route Info and the map icon (= route calculation). Therefore, for actual navigation, you don’t need to enter a start point – only the destination is required. - Add as a waypoint
- Set as destination
- Add to favourites (for future use)
- Wake Me There (switch to the Wake Me There GPS alarm app and set an alert for approaching the selected place)
- Show on map
Note: Entered values for Start, Destination, and Waypoints remain active until overwritten or deleted (e.g. via Route Info).
In the Route Info menu (accessible from the main menu), you’ll find additional features, such as optimising the order of waypoints. You can also easily manage the route points – remove them or manually reorder them, and more. For details, see Waypoint Optimisation, Routing Points management.
Searching for a Point of Interest (POI) in Navigator for iOS
Searching for POIs in Navigator for iOS is similar to searching in the Android version, except the search function is not directly in the main menu but is found under the Search icon (magnifying glass).
In the search menu, tap the POI icon at the bottom to search by points of interest.
You can search POIs in MapFactor Navigator for iOS using several criteria:
- by address or POI name,
- near the map center,
- near your current GPS position,
- near the selected destination (if set).
Searching for a POI by Address and Name (iOS version)
Searching by address and name is done through a step-by-step process. First, choose the country (from previously downloaded offline maps), then select the city. After that, 6 POI categories are displayed, each with specific POI types.
(Example: Search for Stephansdom church in Vienna, Austria and show it on the map.)
After selecting a particular point of interest, a menu with possible actions is displayed:
- Navigate
- Set as departure (start)
- Set as waypoint
- Set as destination
- Add to My places (favourites)
- Show on map
Searching for the Nearest Point of Interest (POI) – Navigator for iPhone
Searching for the nearest POI – whether near the map center, GPS position, or destination – works similarly. Just select the category and POI type, and choose a specific POI from the list. Again, a set of actions will be offered.
(Example: Searching for a restaurant and setting it as destination.)
Note: Entered values for Start, Destination, and Waypoints remain active until overwritten or deleted (e.g. via Route Info).
In the Route Info menu (accessible from the main menu), you’ll find additional features, such as optimising the order of waypoints. You can also easily manage the route points – remove them or manually reorder them, and more. For details, see Waypoint Optimisation, Routing Points management.
All tips for using MapFactor GPS navigation are available at Support – How to? (Tips & Guides).