DeGoogle Yourself

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A community for those that would like to get away from Google.

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Using OsmAnd~ navigation from Google Maps Web search (lemmy.ml)

submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Hi folks,

I recently migrated to GrapheneOS and am happy with all the open-source, privacy centric apps except for navigation. In my region, OSM has limited mapping data for places, businesses, and landmarks. I contribute whenever I can, but often I can't find the place I need and have to rely on someone else using Google Maps for navigation.

I tried using Google Maps in the browser, but live navigation isn't available. I used to pre-plan routes on Google Maps on my PC, get the coordinates, and input them into OSM. However, that process was very tedious.

Today, I learned that I can use the "Share Place" feature of Google Maps Web. Among the share options - I can use OsmAnd~ to directly open that place in the OsmAnd~ navigation app.

I was about to give in and install the Google Maps app, but then I stumbled upon this feature. Many of you might already know of this feature, but I didn't, and I'm really happy that such feature exists.

Nevertheless, I'd still request OSM users to keep contributing places. So that we would not even have to rely on the browser based Google Maps.

Not exactly a DeGoogle guide, but I believe it might help transitioning.

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

this might come in handy when you receive gMaps links ☞ osm2gmaps

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Thanks, this is exactly what I needed!

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 month ago

🤜🤛

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 month ago

I use OsmAnd almost exclusively, but mostly as a navigation aid and not for finding places. I like to know where I'm going before I leave so I can plan the route and timing my departure. If there is a place or address that is not in OSM, there are various address to coordinate searches that I'll add as a favorite.

I am mapping cities as often as I can with StreetComplete, but most of my quests are about sidewalks rather than places. One day, I would like to learn more advanced skills so I can map a neighborhood or business.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Im using OsmAnd+ and when I share something from Google maps to it it either doesnt find it at all, or gives me a location way off. I just shared a pin relatively nearby to me, and in OsmAnd+ it thought the location was in the middle of the ocean.

I really want to switch away from Google maps, could you please explain a bit more what you are exactly doing and getting it to work?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 month ago

So far I haven't done anything apart from Share from Google Maps Web and Open with OsmAnd~. I have not faced such errorneous behaviour. Proabably because I have never shared a pin, and always shared places which I have found through Google Maps.

I will try more with pins and custom locations, and let you know.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 month ago

Nice tip! I didn't know this.

Personally I like Organic Maps better than OSMand, though you do have to download the map regions rather than load them on the fly. It's still OSM, though, so doesn't solve the problem of needing to use Google to find places.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

You can substitute Google Maps with this wrapper app: https://f-droid.org/packages/us.spotco.maps/

It accesses the web version of Gmaps and doesn't use your personal account. Just in case someone is concerned with privacy using this.

Then you can share the same way directly into OSMand for example.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I usually open the Google Maps Web in an incognito window. But I'd definitely try the App you recommended.

Just a quick question, if you happen to know the App workings - Does this App clears the data of web-view on close? Or the Search history persists over the usage? Apart from the android app data clear option, is there any internal auto-clear option?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 month ago

Not sure, it doesn't look like it keeps history because it also keeps asking me about keeping cookies or not pretty much every time. Maybe because I always reject.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 month ago

I tried MagicEarth for navigation and quite happy with it. It is not open source, but should be privacy respecting (not seen anything as of now that would suggest they don't mean it). Even has trafic info (though not as reliable as Waze/Google). A middle road for when you want to degoogle but also have some convinience in places where OSM is not as up to date.

Though I don't think it has additional details for the businesses and such like Google Maps, it's purely for navigation.