My short answer: I'm using the free "GPS Essentials" app on my Android Phone for what you want. No opinion for the iPhone, most likely again: "Because you don't need that".

A bit longer:
Sure thing, if you are using the cloud based app (like preinstalled Google Maps) on your phone - most of its functionality is implemented on the server, not in the phone app, which is just a web browser tailored to the task.