Which OSM App Allows 1) Planning on PC, then 2) Navigating by Android Mobile

henrikkk · 2022-10-23T13:21:37.241Z

Hello, I search an Android app for OSM navigation with a user account that I can use

on the mobile phone and
on the desktop PC for planning

as you could do with Google Maps.

I tried hard to understand Osmand+ but didn’t. To my confused understanding, Osmand+ does not allow syncing between PC and mobile phone, but I may be wrong. I also use Maps.me and Organic Maps, which also do not seem to allow syncing between PC and mobile. I generally prefer Osmand, but would use another one if PC planning was allowed.

Important for me:

setting favorite locations (not routes) on the PC in the browser (so much easier than on the mobile)
syncing between PC and various Android devices
altitude contour lines
anything for bicyclists and hikers
offline use in the country (of course)

Nice, but not essential:

satellite photos in same app as OSM, ideally offline
planning routes (as opposed to favorite places)
loading GPX tracks

I don’t need:

track recording
OSM editing
taking pics out of the OSM app

Sorry for all possible silliness and thanks for your real-life experience!

Peter_Elderson · 2022-10-23T13:48:07.884Z

Pc and android are different, so it’s never one app for both. Some platforms store the pc result in an account, where the android app can find and use it. Some can use a code or QR-picture to find this route from the app.
Most (e.g. OsMand) require you to transport your itinerary (may include poi’s) using a gpx-file or kml-file.
I create/edit gpx-s on a (Dutch) website for desktops, or in a pc program. There are plenty such sites and programs. Then export as gpx to my google drive. Then on mobile, import from google drive into OsmAnd, or open the fresh gpx with OsmAnd. Then voice navigate along the gpx. The Poi’s are shown in Osmand.

paulbrunner · 2022-10-23T20:55:22.758Z

I had evaluated a few apps for cycling navigation, here’s what I currently do for longer rides:

Use BRouter to plan my route, using whatever [sometimes custom] profile makes sense for that bike ride, sometimes with manual adjustments.
Export as GPX from there.
Import GPX in Ride with GPS while still on the computer.
Use the “automated tracing” tool in Ride with GPS. This turns the route from BRouter into one that Ride with GPS gives turn-by-turn directions for. Ride with GPS also has its own route planner, but I prefer BRouter because of the profiles.
Add any specific info in Ride with GPS, e.g. custom markers that will show up while reading or will be read out loud by the app.
Choose “Send to mobile” on the computer or just “Download for Offline” in the Android app.
Navigate on the phone.

Checking your requirements against Ride with GPS (the paid version, though the free versions covers some of your list as well, not the offline stuff though):

Important for me:

setting favorite locations (not routes) on the PC in the browser (so much easier than on the mobile)

Yes.

syncing between PC and various Android devices

Yes. All planned routes and tracked rides can be accessed both from a computer and in the app.

altitude contour lines

Yes, on “Terrain”, “Ride with GPS”, “OSM Cycle”, “OSM Outdoor” and “ESRI Topo” layers.

anything for bicyclists and hikers

“OSM Cycle” has a lot of useful cycling-related POIs that are shown, like drinking water points, public bathrooms etc.

offline use in the country (of course)

Yes, the route and the map around it can be downloaded, only “Ride with GPS” layer though. I usually do that as a backup for when the mobile connection is weak.

Nice, but not essential:

satellite photos in same app as OSM, ideally offline

Has Google satellite layer, either just the pure imagery or “Hybrid” which is satellite imagery plus names of streets, POIs etc.

planning routes (as opposed to favorite places)

Yes, can be done on PC and on Android directly itself.

loading GPX tracks

Yes, but only in the paid version.

When I compared apps, Ride with GPS was the app that had the most and best layer options, including OSM and OSM Cycle. I also use Osmand+ and Organic Maps for other things here and there (quickly looking things up or spontaneous things), or Verspucci to see satellite imagery and map things.

I used the free version of Ride with GPS for some time. That gives you all the layers etc, but no planning, no GPX import, and no offline map. If you’re just riding a mapped cycle route and have a mobile connection, that works, you can just turn on the OSM Cycle layer and ride with that.

BRouter can also be run on Android, but I haven’t gotten that to run first try, and I too find planning on a computer to be easier. If I need to re-route during the ride, I either use the Ride with GPS routing option or see what Osmand+ suggests. Both use OSM data.

Lastly, here are the map options from Ride with GPS:

RidewithGPS layers720×1728 108 KB

markkerrigan · 2022-10-24T00:22:54.532Z

This is what I use.

Map out route on Map Pedometer, export as GPX track. I then download the GPX track on my Android device with Dropbox.
Use OSMAnd and import track. Then you can select the imported track under “Follow Track”. What is counterintuitive is in order to have turn by turn directions, you cannot do this by manually selecting the starting and ending destination first, then selecting . You have to choose to “Follow Track” first.

mcliquid · 2022-12-03T19:55:35.179Z

I’m using Komoot mostly for desktop planning and the mobile app for navigation.