OsmAnd Online maps are an extensive addition to the already comprehensive base of OpenStreetMap data the application uses. With this plugin, you can add layers to your map with information from a different source, beginning with the satellite, or hiking routes view and ending with quite specific data like fire hydrants' locations. You can also change the main source of the map from vector maps to online tiles.
Many new useful map sources you can find in Anygis project.
Online map formats of OsmAnd:
First, turn on the Online maps plugin in the app menu-> Plugins-> Online maps.
To select an online map as your basic map, please go to Configure map-> Map source and select the preferable one from the list. If you do not see the desired map on the list, select Install more... to view the entire list of installs available. Also, you can define or edit your map source by clicking to Define/Edit....
When you select an online map as basic map (Overlay/Underlay map) all of map tiles of this map source will be cached. You can check the size of this cached file in the map menu-> Download maps-> Local (Online and cashed tile maps). Here, you can delete a map source, clear all tiles, edit or rename it.
You can download the selected area of the online map for offline usage (recorded to cache). To do this, you can choose online map as a basic map, after opening the app screen. The displayed piece of the map on your screen is a selected area. After that, make a long tap on your screen to display the available options where you can choose Actions-> Download map. Now you can select max/min zoom for your tiles and click to Download.
Not only can you use one map, you can also add up to two of the online tiles to the basic layer: open the app menu-> Configure map-> Underlay and an Overlay maps to combine three of them on the screen. For instance, you can open a basic OsmAnd offline vector maps, then add a satellite view for the overlay, and put cycling routes map underneath.
You can set the base map transparency for your layer and whether display the transparency slider on the main screen or not.
But how to view all thee maps without getting lost in the details? Simply adjust which information from the map you need and set the transparency of the layer. For example, combining Microsoft Earth map with the basic OsmAnd offline vector map can be very helpful. You can hide all the excessive data from the map and simply overlay roads over the satellite images. To set the features you would like to hide from the current map, just go to Configure map-> Hide and select buildings, polygons, boundaries or all of them together.
To select an online map as your basic map, please go to Map-> Map type-> Online maps and select the one you prefer from the list. If you do not see the desired map on the list, select Install more... to view the entire list of available installs.
When you select an online map as basic map (Overlay/Underlay map) all of map tiles of this map source will be cashed. You can check the size of the tiles in Maps & Resources-> Installed-> Online Raster Maps. You can delete this map source, clear all tiles, or edit them.
Online maps can be added with a special link. All of these online maps you can select in the General menu-> Map-> Map type-> Online maps.
Not only can you use one map (map type), you can also add up to two of them to the basic layer: open the app menu-> Map-> Overlay / Underlay maps to combine all three of them on the screen. For instance, you can open a basic OsmAnd offline vector map, then add a satellite view for the overlay, and then put cycling routes map underneath.
You can choose base map transparency for your layer, set the display of the transparency slider, and select whether display polygons on the map or not.
But how to view all thee maps without getting lost in the details? Simply adjust which information from the map you need and set the transparency of the layer. For example, combining the Microsoft Earth map with the basic OsmAnd online tile can be very helpful. You can hide all the excessive data from the map and simply overlay roads over the satellite images. To set the features you would like to hide from the current map, just go to Map-> Map style (Hide) and select buildings, polygons, boundaries or all of them together.
Despite the plugin being called 'Online Maps', you can use the maps without the internet, as well. You just need to save the parts of maps (often called tiles) to use them later. To do that, download a specific Map Creator tool developed by OsmAnd team.
Select the area you need to download, click on the Preload area, then set the smallest and the largest zoom levels you want to display and download the tiles.
For Android version you can copy them to your phone's osmand/tiles/*tile type* folder. You'll also need to open the Configure map-. Overlay map and choose OsmAnd online tiles.
For iOS version you can choose SQ Lite file in your phone (any messenger or dropbox), OsmAnd will suggest to add it. You'll also need to open Map-> Overlay / Underlay or Map type and choose new map source.
How to add SQ Lite file in Android and iOS version of OsmAnd you can read in Anygis project.
Online tiles can be helpful when you need just a small section of the map or a specific type of it to use in the limited area, but don't want to download the whole region. They can come in handy in endless situations.
You can also create your own map tiles using the Mobile Atlas Creator (MOBAC) software. It is a free open-source map creating tool you can use to make offline tile maps from different sources. Just download the program, then run it. In the format choosing dialogue pick OsmAnd SQ Lite or OsmAnd tile storage. SQ Lite is a single file with the selected area while tiles are separate pieces of the map gathered on your device. SQ Lite often happens to be more convenient as it is stored in one place and occupies less storage space. Select an area, then choose an 'atlas' option, press Add selection and then click Load to save your tiles. You can also pick the map source, zoom levels and other features before loading. How to add SQ Lite file in Android and iOS version of OsmAnd you can read in Anygis project.
Of course, you can use the tool - SASPlanet. There are many offline tile maps from different sources in SASPlanet. Just download the program, then run it. How to work with SASPlanet you can look here. In the format choosing dialogue pick OsmAnd SQ Lite or OsmAnd tile storage. SQ Lite is a single file with the selected area while tiles are separate pieces of the map gathered on your device. SQ Lite often happens to be more convenient as it is stored in one place and occupies less storage space. Select an area, then choose an 'atlas' option, press Add selection and then click Load to save your tiles. You can also pick the map source, zoom levels and other features before loading. How to add SQ Lite file in Android and iOS version of OsmAnd you can read in Anygis project.