OS Locate
by Ordnance Survey Ltd
Version 1.3.0 💾 18 Mb
📅 Updated October 12, 2021
Make the most of your adventures in the great outdoors with OS Locate.
Features OS Locate
Make the most of your adventures in the great outdoors with OS Locate.
Used alongside your Ordnance Survey map, OS Locate is a fast and highly accurate means of pinpointing your exact location on the map, anywhere in Great Britain.
If you have lost your bearings or simply would like a little reassurance, OS Locate is the ideal companion for all enthusiasts of the great outdoors.The app converts GPS location readings from your mobile phone to Ordnance Survey National Grid references, enabling you to determine precisely where you are on an Ordnance Survey map.
No mobile signal?
No problem; OS Locate does not require a mobile signal to function – the inbuilt GPS system can be relied upon, even in the most remote areas.Simply download the app and switch on your device’s location services (Settings – Privacy – Location services).Compass accuracy: the app relies on your devices internal compass and if this is inaccurate the displayed compass will be incorrect as well.
Accuracy generally increases the longer you have the app open and many users report moving the device in a figure-eight help calibrate the compass and gives a more accurate reading.
Of course, like any compass, keep away from metallic or magnetic objects!OS Locate is packed with additional features.
The ‘Share’ button allows you to connect with friends and family via messaging and social media – let them know where you are, how your adventure is progressing and what time you will be home.
Use the handy digital compass to take your bearings – always ensuring you are on the right track.
For those who are keen to learn more about maps and navigation, the ‘About’ button hosts a wealth of information including hints and tips and a guide to map reading.
In addition, you will find simple yet comprehensive guides on how to use eastings and northings.OS Locate – know where you are.OS Locate is a complementary tool for Ordnance Survey paper maps.
You should always have an Ordnance Survey paper map and baseplate compass when exploring the great outdoors.Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.Please ensure your Location Services are turned on.Support for 6/8/10 figure grid reference, update share message to use explore.osmaps.com,
Social Features
Connect and share with friends and the community.
Gaming Features
Enjoy immersive gaming experience with various game modes.
Fitness Tracking
Track your workouts and monitor your health metrics.
See the OS Locate in Action
What Our Users Say
Don't just take our word for it. Here's what our users have to say about our Android app.
"Seems pretty good on a Pixel 4a (obviously, accuracy/functionality depend ultimately on the phone hardware), and the more-precise reporting now available is a big improvement over old versions. Just needs the ability to record (save/export) positions to get the final star."
Ian Howarth
"Recommended by friend. Useless as the compass doesn't move - not much help if I'm lost"
Mick Johns
"Great mapping. I use it constantly."
Michael
"I have just installed 2 GPS read-out apps on my Nokia G50 : yours ( Ordnance Survey Ltd ) and another by Torvus Consultants Ltd. The Torvus one has a stated update rate of 1 second, which I can confirm is approximately right. There is none stated for yours; I can see it is much slower. It would be useful to have some idea of what the update frequency is so that I know if I am pushing expectation of performance beyond it's capabilities in some of the activities I undertake."
Martin Roberts
"Just got told to download this app"
Isaac Prods
"Can only see part of the compass, and the Northing and Easting box are not there are text..help."
Steve Whiteside
"The compass is great. Like the way it produces OS grid references and they are easily shareable. BUT The heights are about 50m to high. Used on Samsung S21 with latest updates. Compared with....paper map, separate GPS (ie not the phone's), Other apps on phone show correct elevation. Bit disappointing that what seems a great app is spoilt by this."
Paul McWhinney
"Doesn't work on my Motorola"
Steve Oddy
"Compass not working on Samsung s10 😞"
Sue Fowler
"It only tells you 3 things, and one of them is always wrong. Altitude is always out. Use GPS status instead which is far more usable and adaptable."
Brian Wade
Get the App Today
Available for Android 8.0 and above