OSMfocus Reborn

OSMfocus Reborn

Overview

• OSMfocus Reborn is an open‑source application that lets users inspect OpenStreetMap (OSM) elements directly on an interactive map.

• It is also referred to as OSM Focus Reborn or OpenStreetMap Focus Reborn.

• The tool is a complete rewrite of the original OSMfocus created by Network42 / MichaelVL, which is no longer maintained.

Core Functionality

• Position the central crosshair over any map feature (building, road, waterway, etc.) to display its OSM tags.

• A line links the selected element to a side panel that lists every key‑value pair associated with that feature.

• Clicking an individual tag opens a detailed view with additional metadata, useful for spotting data errors or conducting localized surveys.

Interaction & Navigation

• Pan and zoom the map using standard touch gestures.

• The crosshair remains fixed in the screen centre; moving the map changes what lies under it.

• Users can quickly jump to their current GPS location by enabling the optional “precise location” permission.

Customization

• Access the settings screen via the cog icon to change the basemap (e.g., switch between standard, satellite, or terrain layers).

• Add custom tile sources or local MBTiles files for offline use.

• Adjust visual preferences such as crosshair size, line colour, and panel font size.

Source, Issue Tracking & Documentation

• Source code, issue tracker, and release notes are hosted on GitHub: https://github.com/ubipo/osmfocus

• Contributions are welcome under the Apache License 2.0.

Permissions

• “Full network access”: required to download map tiles and query the OSM API for element data.

• “Precise location” (optional): enables the app to centre the map on the device’s GPS coordinates.

Legal Notices

• All displayed OSM data is © OpenStreetMap contributors and is licensed under the Open Database License (ODbL).

• See https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright for details.

• This app is a re‑implementation of the former OSMfocus (Network42 / MichaelVL) originally released under Apache License 2.0; links to the original project: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=dk.network42.osmfocus and https://github.com/MichaelVL/osm-focus.

FAQ

Q: Do I need an internet connection to use OSMfocus Reborn?

A: An internet connection is required to download map tiles and query the OSM API for feature data unless you have added local MBTiles files or other offline tile sources in the settings. Once tiles are cached, you can continue to browse the cached area offline, but fetching fresh tag information for unseen areas still needs network access.

Q: How do I view the tags of a specific map feature?

A: Simply pan or zoom the map so that the central crosshair sits over the feature you’re interested in—a building, road, waterway, etc. The app will draw a line from the crosshair to a side panel that lists every key‑value pair (tag) associated with that element. Tapping any tag opens a detailed view with additional metadata.

Q: Can I customize the appearance of the crosshair and the information panel?

A: Yes. Open the settings screen via the cog icon and you can adjust the crosshair size, line colour, panel font size, and even the background theme. These options let you tailor the visual style to your preferences or to improve readability on different devices.

Version History

v1.9.13-gplay——25 Aug 2026

Examine OpenStreetMap (OSM) elements to "focus" your view of the map Download the latest version of OSMfocus Reborn to enjoy new features and updates immediately!

*1.9.13-gplay

Minor bug fixes and improvements. Install or update to the newest version to check it out!

*1.9.12-gplay

Minor bug fixes and improvements. Install or update to the newest version to check it out!

*1.9.11-gplay

Minor bug fixes and improvements. Install or update to the newest version to check it out!