Having satnav is brilliant. No, it really is, but only if you make the most of it. There’s loads it can do to make your life easier, and more fun. Our lowdown on the top tips to get cracking with it appear after the jump. (Always wanted to write that).

What’s the point?

Make your mobile mapper work harder with a few simple steps to make it must-have pocket companion.

Is it free?

Completely.

Sold! How do I do it?

Step 1: Pick an open spot before firing up your phone’s satnav. Even standing next to tall buildings can hamper its abilities – it needs a clear view of the sky in every angle. A seriously cloudy day can even affect the signal. If you’re using an N95 make sure you open the slider too – the GPS receiver’s under the keypad so it’ll get a better view of the sky if the phone’s open.

Step 2: Load up with maps using Nokia’s Map Loader. You can find out how right in the how to download maps tutorial – it’ll make your phone much faster as it won’t need the mobile network to figure out where you are, it also means you’ll still find your way home if you’re out of signal completely.

Step 3: Save your favourite places as you go – it’ll save you lots of time searching for them again later. If you build up a library of your most visited places you’ll avoid tapping out postcodes or hunting for road names.

Step 4: If you suspect your phone’s struggling to lock on to satellites check out the ‘Satellite Info’ screen. It’ll show you how many orbiters are within range. The bigger the bar, the stronger the signal, although they’re not locked on unless the bar is black. You need at least three locked on for satnav to work.

Step 5: Choose ‘Search nearby’ if you’re looking for a pub, restaurant or even just a cash point. It’ll narrow down your search to within walking distance – dead handy if you’re caught short on a night out.

Step 6: If you’re a driver, check out Nokia’s voice navigation add-on. It’ll cost extra, but will let you use your phone as a hands-free satnav in the car. You can also use headphones while walking and pocket the phone to be guided around the streets without looking too obvious.