I use OsmAnd, which is free on F-Droid. It’s very feature-rich, and I can customize it pretty much exactly how I like. There’s a good tutorial for beginners here.
However, some people prefer the simplicity of the app CoMaps, which is available for Android and iOS. It’s a fork of Organic Maps that arose over disagreements with Organic’s governance (see: open letter).
There are also specialty apps like Alpi Maps for more specialized uses of OSM (in Alpi Maps’ case, hiking).
For contributing to OSM on Android:
I use Vespucci for more complex edits on Android, so things like adding features. (The rough iOS equivalent is Go Map!!.)
I use StreetComplete for a more trimmed-down, gamified experience. It isn’t a power user experience like Vespucci, but it’s often really useful if you’re just on the go and want to make small but meaningful contributions.
The easiest way I’ve found to contribute local information is the iD editor on desktop; it’s the one that pops up if you click ‘Edit’ on OpenStreetMap.org. It strikes a good balance between user-friendliness and power user stuff. For full-on power users, JOSM is a good option. And the easiest way to contribute in a limited way is StreetComplete, which will ask you questions about existing features (like “does this traffic signal have a walk button for pedestrians?”)
Edit: I linked to but forgot to specifically mention the OpenStreetMap Wiki, which is a great general resource.
The easiest way to contribute is to upload the traces. They are used for people to map the roads and paths. And you can contribute with OSMAnd by adding POIs and upload them, and saving the traces (you can do more stuff in osmand but it’s not the best app for those edits).
GPS traces can situationally be very useful, and I’m glad you acknowledged them, but I don’t agree on blanket calling them the easiest way to contribute. Normally, that’s through iD on desktop or StreetComplete’s quests on mobile.
GPS traces can work well in situations where aerial imagery isn’t up-to-date with roads and sidewalks. Likewise (provided you can get an accurate trace) it can also work well for areas with e.g. a bunch of tree cover, etc. And it works well if your area is especially undermapped and lacks many roads/paths and you were already planning on traveling those roads/paths anyway.
But there are plenty of places where the roads, sidewalks, bike paths, trails, etc. are already mapped out with a good degree of precision and traces made with a smartphone GPS aren’t really going to do anything on their own.
GPS traces can work well in situations where aerial imagery isn’t up-to-date with roads and sidewalks.
…
traces made with a smartphone GPS aren’t really going to do anything on their own.
Imagery and GPS traces are the way to map. Aerial imagery suffers from offset, and the GPS traces suffer of signal interference (bumping on objects). To map correctly you need both, not just one.
You don’t even need to use a smartphone, you can use your bike head unit. And the GPS now are multiband/frequency and multi constellation. This increases the accuracy by a lot - just don’t expect cheap chinese phones to have this.
Traces are the best way to contribute, because combined multiple traces on the same path are a very good indication of a path (and it’s exact location) and it doesn’t require extra work. Just put your device to save your movement and you don’t need to do anything else besides upload it after you finish - You don’t need to osm and learn how to use iD or josm or any other app. You don’t even need to learn the tags. Just save and upload
https://www.openstreetmap.org/
If you have any questions about how you can help or how to use OpenStreetMap, I’m ready and willing answer even your dumbest questions.
Yes, promote OSM. We need more help with this. Crowd-sourced cartography.
Thank you. Do you have favorite android apps? If so, which? What’s the easiest way to contribute local info?
For using OSM on Android:
For contributing to OSM on Android:
The easiest way I’ve found to contribute local information is the iD editor on desktop; it’s the one that pops up if you click ‘Edit’ on OpenStreetMap.org. It strikes a good balance between user-friendliness and power user stuff. For full-on power users, JOSM is a good option. And the easiest way to contribute in a limited way is StreetComplete, which will ask you questions about existing features (like “does this traffic signal have a walk button for pedestrians?”)
Edit: I linked to but forgot to specifically mention the OpenStreetMap Wiki, which is a great general resource.
The easiest way to contribute is to upload the traces. They are used for people to map the roads and paths. And you can contribute with OSMAnd by adding POIs and upload them, and saving the traces (you can do more stuff in osmand but it’s not the best app for those edits).
GPS traces can situationally be very useful, and I’m glad you acknowledged them, but I don’t agree on blanket calling them the easiest way to contribute. Normally, that’s through iD on desktop or StreetComplete’s quests on mobile.
GPS traces can work well in situations where aerial imagery isn’t up-to-date with roads and sidewalks. Likewise (provided you can get an accurate trace) it can also work well for areas with e.g. a bunch of tree cover, etc. And it works well if your area is especially undermapped and lacks many roads/paths and you were already planning on traveling those roads/paths anyway.
But there are plenty of places where the roads, sidewalks, bike paths, trails, etc. are already mapped out with a good degree of precision and traces made with a smartphone GPS aren’t really going to do anything on their own.
Imagery and GPS traces are the way to map. Aerial imagery suffers from offset, and the GPS traces suffer of signal interference (bumping on objects). To map correctly you need both, not just one.
You don’t even need to use a smartphone, you can use your bike head unit. And the GPS now are multiband/frequency and multi constellation. This increases the accuracy by a lot - just don’t expect cheap chinese phones to have this.
Traces are the best way to contribute, because combined multiple traces on the same path are a very good indication of a path (and it’s exact location) and it doesn’t require extra work. Just put your device to save your movement and you don’t need to do anything else besides upload it after you finish - You don’t need to osm and learn how to use iD or josm or any other app. You don’t even need to learn the tags. Just save and upload
I also like to use Every Door for businesses, buildings, and small points of interest.