OsmAnd Tutorial For Beginners (Advanced Features)

Welcome to a full guide from beginner to expert on how to use Osmand, which is one of the best navigation apps you can get on your phone. In this video I explain step by step on how the app works, my favourite features, how to plan a route, recording your routes, downloading offline maps and a deep dive into every useful feature I feel is worth sharing. For a simpler guide to this one have a look at my alternative app reviews and a beginners guide on how to use Osmand. Affiliate links are below to download this app (with each purchase though the link below I earn a small commission to support this show and each purchase of this app also supports the developers who made this app).
Android Download Links (Affiliate Links)
Osmand+
amzn.to/2OQ9KjK
Osmand Contour Line Plugin
amzn.to/3sbho6Q
Table of Contents
0:00 - Introduction
1:12 - Download Offline Maps
1:36 - Route Planning
2:45 - Change Speed Parameters
4:14 - Elevation Profile
5:31 - Add Waypoints
7:56 - Create Custom GPX Route
12:43 - Turn by Turn GPX Navigation
13:52 - Custom Map Rendering
15:33 - Custom POI's
19:18 - Install Custom Maps
22:06 - Contour Lines
22:40 - Install Plugins
26:28 - Record GPX Routes (Widgets Panel)
27:54 - Import GPX Routes
28:16 - Add Custom Waypoints
30:49 - Record GPX Routes (Sidebar Menu)
31:25 - OsmAnd Live (Support Open Source Maps)
31:41 - Travel Guides
32:07 - Add Widgets (Speedometer + Record Routes)
33:25 - Enable Dark Mode (Night Mode)
34:29 - OpenStreetMap Editing
36:31 - OsmAnd Navigation App Alternatives
37:05 - Conclusion
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[@ddahstan6876]

Thank you for thoroughly showing us how to use this OSMand app. Indeed, it's a little overwhelming app to start out with as I'm looking forward to some awesome bikepacking trips, but you've literally taken the fear out of me in terms of getting to the nuts and bolts of how-to-from-here-to-anywhere navigation. I did get a few crashes from the app setting up/playing around with it though... I think it could definitely be my fault. Nonetheless, much love from these happy feet across the pond for your tutorials! :)

[@DaniBernal]

By adding strava hike heatmap to map sources you could discover nice tracks. The source is available on anygis. Very nice video, well done!

[@Jackplumz]

Brilliant. thank you for doing this. Its hard to keep up with at times which menu you have gone into, as its so familiar to you. But with lots of rewinding I have learnt so much even after using this app for a few years on and off. I find its great to use while cycling for a better overview of a wider area whilst following a track on another device. I load the track on here too so I can see whats coming up during the next day on a long tour. The overlays are great and I'm surprised how good the POI files are, perhaps not governed by how whether each place pays for inclusion than other apps. Great work.

[@TheOneGoodRoad]

Thx for the positive feedback 😊👌🏻

[@Asthbendriel]

I love how detailed, informative and precise OsmAnd is for navigating off-road, it's as useful as a GPS device itself, I only have two downsides which are turning me away from using it from time to time as a MTB rider: - Battery consumption: as powerful as it is, it tends to use *a lot* of battery life which limits the activity time I can use it for. In my case with my regular usage and settings it tends to consume around 16% per hour, but you can even see it in this video, it started with 55% battery and after 38 minutes it's down to 37%, _maybe_ turning WiFi and data off would help, I need to check it out, but being limited to 6-7 hours of GPS limits a lot the length of MTB routes in the middle of nowhere you can do. - Sync route with other apps: maybe this is because I need to keep learning about how this works, but yesterday I followed a GPX file and in the end of the route it didn't record it or allowed me to sync it with other apps such as Strava, Nike Run Club, you get the idea. In this video I just learned there's a hidden record button 😂🤦 but following a route and record at the same time doesn't consume much more battery itself? Thanks for such detailed video, I've been using OsmAnd from time to time for quite a while but even with that in mind I learned a lot new from this!

[@TheOneGoodRoad]

Yes this is true. I highly recommend using airplane mode and to turn off the screen as much as possible. For example I use a lot more battery when I am in a city VS in a rural area because I check my map less often. For something easier to use try Mapy.cz or windymaps. I have reviewed both apps they are great alternatives. Thx for your feedback 🙂

[@V1G0N]

Thank you for tis video, it helped my so much!!

[@dreiauge4553]

Haven't seen such a good video for Osmand before! Thanks a lot an greeting from Bremen

[@TheOneGoodRoad]

I appreciate the feedback!

[@spezialist778]

me too from Mainz

[@ErikvandenBoom1]

Yeah, love it, very clear.

[@alessafede]

Thank you very much! Very clear tutorial. Ciao.

[@knausen7575]

Thank you for your very well done tutorial :) this app is amazing, looking forward to start using it!

[@TheOneGoodRoad]

Thx for the feedback!

[@davidgruty]

Nice video One feature I like very much is the quick action button. There is a floating button you in the screen and you can configure what you want it to contain (different options)

[@ErikvandenBoom1]

Request which will help cyclists especially. I like OSMAND because of its navigation qualities whilst cycling. In particular I like the turn screen on feature. Before a turn the screen turn on and the voice command comes out. Which means I can cycle all day fully navigated with little battery usage. It is all quite hidden, so a vid on that would be great. It took me ages to find it out in the newer versions. Also the usage of the proximity sensor is a great feature to switch on the screen in an instance.

[@JonathanSterlingUSA]

somebody please make the translation a little more reader-friendly...

[@oooo0O0oooo]

Thank you so much

[@And-rc9yy]

Thank you, I have been meaning to do a video for OsmAnd myself, mainly to help remind myself of some features. I wonder if you have been able to figure out a way of batch editing waypoints in favourites? I have a database of anchorages and marinas in my favourites. Rather than have to click on each waypoint individually I would imagine it should be possible to batch edit, for example to change the anchorages to an anchor icon.

[@JonathanSterlingUSA]

The app spontaneously changes my map style, usually back to the default.

[@enigma6482]

Thank you for making this. You did a good job. I do have a question though. If you have the "live" mode; I know you can view other contacts in live time using GPS, but can you set waypoints for them in live time? Like if me and a buddy are fishing at different points on a lake; can I set a waypoint for both him and I to see and meet up at?

[@kc8222]

Hello! Does Osmand have the choice to choose between routes, similar to other gps apps that show 3 routes that can be navigated on ? Hopefully this makes sense.

Very nice thank you !! I just got a problem with the car navigation ! The informations (distances AND routes to take) were completly wrong !! on waze or maps, 23 kms !! On OSM, 130 !! I just would like to use ONLY OSMand+ that i like a lot but not sure the car navigation is on top ! What do you think ? Best regards from Colmar, FR // JF

[@TheOneGoodRoad]

This is true for car navigation Google is the best by far for now.

[@ernier9033]

Thank you. With respect I suggest you plan what to cover in a specific order and keep to it - hopping to something that is not related to the point you were explaining makes it confusing. Question: I have imported a GPX route - how can I make a linked route from where I live to some point along the GPX route, please? I have watched your beginner and advanced videos. Stay safe🕊

[@TheOneGoodRoad]

Point noted. You can change your starting point to your location that should do it.

[@borisirium]

I want to track gpx route, It has start and finish points but when I choose to track It takes navigation to start point. I need to join to the route from middle of it. I couldnt find any answers either. Might be I couldnt get it idk. I dont want to make 120 miles extra because route passes by 30km of my home. How can I make It?

[@Kashooni]

I watched both of your tutorial videos on the use of OSMAND. Thanks for your attempt. However, the video is more introductory than instructional. Both the entire App and your explanation are overwhelming. I’d appreciate detailed instructions to do one function at a time.

[@Rafi_Shaair]

needed to copy paste maps from disk to Car android player..but dont know where to store...as OSMAND app does not read from there and wants to download maps but wifi is so slow

[@lrahcimnitsuga7619]

How do i delete previous tracks from Plan Routes... Thanks in advance ☺️

[@racoononinternet2132]

Does it record your trip if you're traveling via airplane when you have downloaded the maps of all the countries you're going through?

[@TheOneGoodRoad]

You can try but GPS inside your phone is usually not working so well inside planes..

[@AqueleLCA]

hello,How activate the sound System of the unit, when is open the Navigator?

[@TheOneGoodRoad]

Sorry I don't understand your question. 🤔

[@robertlee8042]

What is the difference between a track and a route?

[@erikatorres013]

Hola, no he podido descargar el mapa de colombia duro 5 horas cargando y solo llegó a un 40%

[@terrylaurence8605]

How do you delete a map that was accidentally downloaded?

[@zsoltlorincz9190]

Hi. How can I take a pictures with coordinate on it? Thank you.

[@TheOneGoodRoad]

Screenshot?

[@zsoltlorincz9190]

​@@TheOneGoodRoadI mean a picture of a place with coordinate so you can find it back there.

[@enarrais]

How to delete a trail?

[@KickAssets]

It's amazing and all...but it couldnt recognize Japanese addresses well :( so I am stuck with Google maps..which sucks cause I want to record my travels as well as plan them. :(

[@TheOneGoodRoad]

Couldn't?

[@KickAssets]

@@TheOneGoodRoad yeah couldnt lol

[@KickAssets]

@@TheOneGoodRoad Im basically looking for a way to plan my trip...and record the route actually taken. It would be cool if there was a way to plan my routes on the PC where I can use a bigger lol. Not sure how to get this done...or what app to use. What are your suggestions? U offer a private lesson? :D

[@TheOneGoodRoad]

Lol I'm always researching this topic 😆 I love maps.... 😜 I'm researching how I can assist you with this, but sometimes, you have to use many different methods to acquire what you want. Best app/website I can recommend is Mapy.cz which I have video reviewing this app. I think it's the closest thing to what you are looking for, but I'm unsure about its Japanese capabilities?

[@x91w]

I'd love to know how to exit the app without killing

[@TheOneGoodRoad]

That depends on the phone model one has.