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Overview​

Search is a useful tool for quickly finding locations. You can use Search to find a location by address, coordinates, points of interest (POI), or previous searches. Search Address allows you to enter the address you want to get an exact location. Coordinates search works with geographic coordinates such as latitude and longitude. With POI search you can search for nearby places in specific categories, such as cafés, hotels, or filling stations. The Explore tab highlights popular places nearby and provides quick access to recently visited locations. Search History saves past searches. The search feature makes it easy to plan trips, navigate unknown terrain, and find POIs nearby.

How to Use​

Search POI list Android

You need to follow one of the steps to start your search:

Important information:

  • Downloaded offline vector maps are required to search with OsmAnd.

  • Initially, the search is based on the data located on the map in the visible area of the device screen, but if nothing is found there, OsmAnd offers to increase the search radius.

Basic Queries​

Query list:

  • Coordinates all available formats.
  • Address:
    • Street, House Number;
    • City, Street;
    • Street Intersections;
    • City;
    • Tiger data;
    • Postal Code, House Number;
    • Postal Code, Street, House Number.
  • Search POI by name and by category with additional filters.
  • Search OSM routes by name and by category with additional filters.
  • Search by most prominent peaks and volcanoes.
  • Search by Travel guide articles (requires the corresponding Travel guides file to be downloaded).
  • Search by Favorites and Waypoints.
  • Search icons by POI subcategory names.
  • Search by tracks.
  • Search by business venues and brand names.
  • Online search (Nominatim).
  • URL search (Google and OsmAnd). OsmAnd can recognize many shared Google Maps links, including short links from maps.app.goo.gl.
  • Search History.

Sorting Search Results​

Search POI list Android

OsmAnd automatically sorts search results by several criteria:

  1. Matching queries — Results containing exact or partial matches to the words you entered are displayed higher.

  2. Relevance — Objects whose names closely match the search query are usually shown higher in the results.

  3. Object type — Depending on the query, results may include different types of objects such as cities, streets, addresses, or POIs.

  4. Distance — When results have similar matching criteria and object types, the results closest to the user's current location are shown first.

  5. Importance — Well-known landmarks or frequently referenced places may appear higher in the results when they closely match the search query.

You can also manually change the sorting order of search results using the Sort by chip at the top of the search results list. Tap Sort by and select one of the following options:

  • Relevance — Sorts the search results by relevance to the search query.
  • Nearest — Sorts the search results by distance, with the closest results shown first.

Full Text Search​

Favorite search Android

You can find the required location on the map from the list of points that appear as you enter a query.

  1. Start typing the name or address in the search bar.

  2. As you type, the list displays the points closest to the query, in roughly this order:

    • POI Categories
    • Favorites, POI, Routes, and Waypoints
    • Tracks
    • Addresses
    • Maps to download

  3. When searching by name on Android, OsmAnd displays POI type chips based on the types represented in the search results. Tap a chip to filter the results by the selected POI type. You can select multiple POI types. Once selected, a chip moves to the first position in the list. Tap a selected chip again to deselect it and return to the full search results.

  4. If you enter a brand name, the list will start with results by this name, sorted by closest distance.

  5. The search results may also include a Travel guide article. Tapping it opens the article directly, rather than showing a location on the map.

TIGER data limitations in address searches

OsmAnd has integrated TIGER data into the US maps to provide information about US addresses. TIGER dataset is range-based and does not contain precise house numbers, so some addresses may be missing or inaccurate.

Search Around (Android only)​

Search Around

When the search is opened significantly away from your current location, the Search around chip allows you to choose the area used for the search. Tap the chip and select one of the following options:

  • Map center — Searches around the current center of the map. This option is selected by default.
  • My location — Searches around your current location.

Search on the Map​

Search POI Android Search POI Android

OsmAnd allows you to search for points displayed on a map on your device's screen. To do this:

  • Use one of the ways to get to the Search tool.
  • Start typing the name or address into the search box.
  • A box with the Show on map button will appear below the search input field. On Android, the Show on map Floating Action Button (FAB) appears at the bottom of the search results screen.
  • Tap this button to go to the map.
  • You can continue typing your query at the top of the screen.

Search Nearby​

Search Android

You can use the search in the vicinity of a specific location. To do this, select the required point from the list in the search menu or select it directly on the map. In the map context menu, select Actions → Search nearby.

Search Address​

Search Android

Search Address uses OpenStreetMap data. This type of search allows you to find the location and direction to a specific address from a ready-sorted list. Read more in the Search Address article.

Search Explore​

⚠️ Android only

This feature is currently not available for the iOS version of the OsmAnd app.

Explore search

The Explore tab in the Search tool helps you quickly discover places near your current location and access recently opened items. It contains two main sections:

  • Popular places nearby – a scrollable list of well-known landmarks and attractions near your location. Each item may include the name of the place, its category, distance and direction, and a preview image if available. Tap Show all to open the full list or Show on map to display these places on the map.
  • Recently visited – a list of places, tracks, or other objects that you have recently opened. This allows you to quickly return to previously viewed locations.

For more details, see here.

Search History (iOS)​

History search

You can use the Search History to search again for previously found places, addresses, or frequently visited places without entering the query again. More details can be found in the Search History article.

Search POI​

Search POI Android

The Search POI is a list, sorted by category, with which you can easily find places and services near your current location or a selected area on the map.

  • Custom POI search allows you to combine different POI categories to simplify and personalize your search.
    For example, if you need to find several types of services in a certain area or on a certain section of a route.

  • OsmAnd provides an Online search that works in real-time, giving you quick access to search results.
    It is convenient to use when maps of the region are unavailable, but a constant and stable Internet connection is required.

  • Read the Search POI article for more information.

Search Coordinates​

Search Coordinates Android

Coordinate search provides an accurate location. You can enter precise coordinates obtained, for example, from other sources such as a map, GPS device, or online services, which is particularly useful when it comes to places that do not have an exact address. For more information, see the Search Coordinates article.