What is it
Waze is the world's largest community-based traffic and navigation app. There are many navigation apps, many of them rely on maps that are updated only a few times a year, resulting in outdated maps and wrong navigation instructions. Waze is different. Waze maps are updated on almost a daily basis. The maps are constantly updated by volunteers of our Dutch community. So, signs along the road asking you to switch off your navigation app are not for Waze. Waze has the most up-to-date road information, for free.
The app uses maps and your phone's GPS. When navigating, Waze uses cached maps on your phone of areas you have been before to limit data usage. Maps of new areas are retrieved from the Waze servers. It is possible to use Waze without internet connection while driving in areas where your phone uses already cached maps, but the best navigation experience you got with an internet connection. The data usage of the app is modest. The test of the ANWB mentions 3,9 MB for 75 km drive.
For more information on the Waze app please visit the global Wiki page.