FAQ Page
OS MAPS HELP CENTRE
How can we help?




Your settings for push notifications can be changed in your phone's Settings app, following the below instructions.
iOS:
- Open your phone's Settings app
- Select 'Notifications'
- Scroll down to 'OS Maps'
- Tap 'Allow Notifications' to turn them on or off.
Android:
- Open your phone's Settings app
- Tap Notifications, App settings
- Under 'Most recent', find apps that recently sent you notifications. To find more apps, in the drop-down menu, tap All apps
- Tap 'OS Maps'
- Tap to turn the app's notifications on or off
Feature | Guest/Free User | Premium User |
---|---|---|
Plot, Record & Follow Routes | Yes | Yes |
OS Standard Mapping | Yes | Yes |
Use Web & Mobile | Yes | Yes |
Premium Topo Maps | No | Yes |
Global Snap-to-Path (Standard Map) | No | Yes |
Tabletop 3D (iOS only) | No | Yes |
3D Route Fly-Throughs | No | Yes |
3D Map Layers | No | Yes |
Download Unlimited Offline Maps | No | Yes |
Import & Export Routes | No | Yes |
Unlimited Printing in Multiple Sizes | No | Yes |
For more information, on the different subscription types available, check out the OS Shop.
You can find the terms and conditions for OS Maps here
The OS Shop accepts Visa, Master Card, Amex and Visa debit options.
The Apple App Store will accept Apple Pay and the Google Play Store will take Google Pay.
For more information regarding payments and any other OS Shop related queries, visit our OS Shop FAQs
There is not currently a group subscription available for OS Maps.
For full details on all available premium subscriptions, please visit our OS Shop
Gift card subscriptions can be activited by following the below steps.
- Go to os.uk/12months and add the OS Maps Premium 12 months access to your bag
- Head to the checkout, and enter your unique voucher code (found by scratching off the panel on your physical gift card) in the discount code box. To checkout you will need to create or log into an OS account
- Once checkout is completed, head to OS Maps, log into the same account as used at checkout and your premium subscription will be ready and waiting!
Also be sure to download the OS Maps app from the Apple or Google Play app store. Log into the app (using the same username and password) to start using OS Maps outside.
Your subscription is valid for 12 months from whenever you choose to activate it. Gift cards do have an expiry date so please check your the activation instructions included with your gift card for the date by which you will need to activate.
You can purchase a subscription as a gift in the OS Shop with our OS Maps gift card.
You can log into your OS Maps account using the same username and password on a maximum of 5 devices at any one time, with the OS Maps app downloaded. If you wish to use an additional device beyond these 5, you must first log out of your account on another device.
Our terms & conditions state that downloaded maps and routes can only be used on one device at a time. If you want to access downloaded maps on a new device, you will need to log out of your OS Maps account on the previous device first.
Changing subscriptions is only possible once an existing subscription has expired.
If you are on an auto-renewing monthly plan, you will need to cancel that subscription before taking out a new one. You can find the steps to cancel a subscription here.
Once your subscription is cancelled, you can take out a new subscription with our recurring annual premium subscription
You can set up your OS account through OS Maps on web & mobile app.
Web:
- Main Menu (☰ symbol) in the top left corner of the screen and select 'Log In' or click the silhouette icon, just to the right of the search box
- On the next screen, select 'Sign up Now' at the bottom of the login screen to create a new account
- If you have an existing OS account, enter your details here to log in. You can also use the 'Forgot Your Password' system to update your password if needed.
App:
- Main menu (☰ symbol) in the top left corner of the screen and select either:
- 'Log In' if you have an existing OS account
- 'Go Free' to create an account as a free user
- 'Go Premium' to sign up to a premium subscription (here you will also need to choose whether to sign up to a recurring monthly or annual subscription).
- Enter the relevant details on the following screen to create an account.
Once you've create your account, you're ready to start exploring with OS Maps!
Purchasing a premium subscription (available on a recurring, monthly or annual basis) will give you access to all the premium features OS Maps has to offer!
Your OS Maps subscription will give you the same access to all tools & features regardless of whether you purchase through the OS shop or via the mobile app.
You only need to purchase one subscription to access all premium features on OS Maps web and the OS Maps mobile app.
The different prices reflect the different costs to provide the subscription across the various platforms/stores. However, there is only one premium subscription - so what you get for the subscription is exactly the same wherever you purchase.
If you have an OS Maps account, simply log in on your new phone and your subscription will be carried over, along with the rights to any paper map downloads (GB only).
Any offline maps (including those redeemed through purchase of a paper map) will need to be downloaded again. This will work even if you switch between Android and iOS.
Most subscriptions (including all those purchased via the Apple or Google Play app stores) will automatically renew monthly or annually. Unless changed, your subscription will be renewed on the same day of the following month/year.
If you have purchased standard access from the OS Shop (or received a gift to OS Maps) then this will not renew automatically. You can renew these subscriptions manually either by purchasing the same subscription again or purchasing one of our auto-renewing monthly/annual subscriptions.
You can check your subscription type and expiry date by using the Subscription Management tool
Web:
- Main Menu (☰ symbol) > My Account > Manage Subscription.
Mobile App:
- Main Menu (☰ symbol) > Account > Edit (next to Subscription type)
As an additional security feature, you will be asked to login to your account again to confirm you details. Once completed you will be able to see your subscription type and renewal or expiry date.
OS Maps subscription plans purchased via mobile app stores and most bought via the OS Shop will auto-renew so that you don’t have to worry about the subscription expiring.
If you're on a non-renewing subsription or wish to cancel, you will lose access to the premium features such as detailed Premium Topo maps, Augmented Reality, Aerial 3D and GPX file exporting.
Additionally, the following will happen:
- Your routes will still be available in the mobile app and web. If set to 'public' they will still be accessible for other OS Maps users.
- Redeemed paper map downloads are retained and are still available in the mobile app
- Saved offline maps not based on paper maps are deleted
If you have purchased a premium subscription and can't access the features, check the below:
Double check that your are logged in and using the correct account. You can check this by accessing Subscription Management.
Web:
- Main Menu (☰ symbol) > My Account > Manage Subscription.
Mobile App:
- Main Menu (☰ symbol) > Account.
Check that you are logged into the correct account based on email address and view your subscription type to check you are on a premium subscription.
If you have purchased your subscription on one device (via OS Shop on web or app stores on mobile) it can take a few minutes for your account to sync between devices for the first time.
If you are still having issues after following these steps then please contact us using Customer Services contact form.
If you're seeing an issue in synching of data between mobile app and web, please double check the following:
- For OS Maps mobile app to send/receive data and sync with the web version, your mobile device will need an active internet connection (via WiFi or mobile data). Double check you're device his connected to the internet.
- OS Maps data can not be synched between different accounts (unless shared manually). Double check that you're using the same account, with the same email address and password being used to login into both platforms.
- You may be using an older version of the mobile app. Check the mobile app store for available updates.
If you are still having issues after following these steps then please get in touch using our Customer Services contact form and we will be able to help you.
To change the email address linked to your OS account, first ensure you are logged into the correct account on OS Maps, either on OS Maps web or mobile app.
Web:
- Main Menu (☰ symbol) > My Account > Change Email
- You will be asked to re-enter your current login details to ensure you are accessing the correct account
- Enter the new email address you wish to update to, and you will be sent a verification code to that email address.
- Once received (usually within a few minutes), enter the verifcation code into the box and your email address change will be confirmed.
App:
- Main menu (☰ symbol) in the top left corner of the screen and select 'Account' under 'My Profile'
- Tap the 'Edit' icon next to your existing email address.
- You will then be redirected to our OS Account Hub via your browser to complete your email address change.
- You will be asked to re-enter your current login details to ensure you are accessing the correct account
- Enter the new email address you wish to update to, and you will be sent a verification code to that email address.
- Once received (usually within a few minutes), enter the verifcation code into the box and your email address change will be confirmed.
You may have already used your email address to make a purchase in the shop or create an account in the past. Either create a new account by using a different email address (if you have one) or use the 'Forgot your password' link to recover your login details.
If you still have problems logging in, get in touch with our Customer Services contact form and we will be able to help you.
If you're trying to log into your account and receiving an error message relating to your passworkd then you can use the 'Forgot your password?' option on the login page or to reset your password.
Resetting password on OS Maps web
- Visit OS Maps web & select 'Forgot password'
- Enter the email address associated with your OS Maps account
- Select 'Send verification code'
- Open your email inbox & copy the code in the email (check your junk folder if you can't see an email from Ordnance Survey)
- Paste or type the code into the 'Verify Code' box & select 'Verify Code'
- Select 'Change password'
- Enter a new password
Resetting password on OS Maps app
- Open the OS Maps app
- Select 'Log in'
- Select 'Forgot password'
- Enter the email address associated with your OS Maps account
- Open your email inbox and click the link to reset your password (check your junk folder if you can't see an email from Ordnance Survey)
- Enter your email address & select 'Send verification code'
- Return to your email inbox & copy the code in the email
- Return to the browser page & paste or enter the code, then tap 'Verify code'
- Select 'Change password'
- Enter a new password
OS Maps does not allow certain special characters to be used in your password - % @ $ or £ signs.
If you are still having issues then contact our customer services team using the contact form at the bottom of this page.
We do not currently allow users to pause their subscription.
If you have purchased your subscription via the Apple or Google Play app stores, please refer to their individual billing information.
It is not currently possible to change or update payment & billing information for subscriptions purchased via the OS Shop or through osmaps.com, as Ordnance Survey do not hold payment information on our website. To change to an alternative billing method, you will need to purchase a new subscription with your updated payment details.
You can add alternative payment details at any time by purchasing a new subscription. A newly purchased subscription will automatically take over upon the end of a previous subscription, ensuring you have uniterrupted access to premium features.
If you would like to wait until your current subscription is due to renew, you will need to cancel your subscription to avoid it renewing automatically. You can find the steps for cancelling your subscription here
Subscriptions can be taken out on a monthly or annual basis. The best value is via our auto-renewing subscriptions, available through Apple & Google Play app stores or via our OS Shop.
Our OS Shop also has options to purchase standard, non-recurring subscriptions, these are only available via our website.
Visit the OS Shop for more information on the different subscriptions and pricing.
In order to keep improving the OS Maps platform and ensure we continue to deliver the experience our users expect from us, we sometimes have to review our pricing.
Any future pricing changes affecting existing users will be communicated in advance. If you have any queries around updates to pricing then please contact our Customer Services team using our contact form.
To cancel your subscription you will need to do so via the same platform you originally purchased your subscription.
If you have purchased via the OS Shop you can cancel through OS Maps on web.
For subscriptions purchased via the OS Shop, head to https://osmaps.com/subscription-management
From here you can see your subscription type, renewal or end date and have the option to 'Cancel Subscription'. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete your cancellation.
You can also access subscription management from osmaps.com or explore.osmaps.com, navigate to the Main Menu (☰ symbol) > My Account > Manage Subscription
If you have purchased through the Apple or Google Play app stores in the mobile app or online, you can cancel from your mobile device or from the relevant app store through your browser.
For Apple via mobile device:
- Go to Main Menu (☰ symbol)
- Select Account and 'Edit' next to your subscription.
- Select 'Cancel Subscription' and follow the on-screen prompts to cancel your subscription
For Apple subscription via Mac:
- Open the App Store app
- Select your Apple ID at the bottom of the sidebar
- Select 'View Information' from the top of the page
- On the Account Information page, scroll to Manage. To the right of Subscriptions, click 'Manage'
- To the right of the OS Maps subscription, select 'Edit'
- You can choose a different subscription length, or click 'Cancel Subscription' to cancel.
For Apple subscription via web:
- Open the Store in your web browser
- From the menu at the top of the window, choose Account > View My Account
- Scroll to the Settings section
- To the right of Subscriptions, Click Manage
- To the right of the OS Maps subscription, click Edit. You can choose a different subscription length or select 'Cancel Subscription'.
For Google Play subscription via mobile device:
- Go to Main Menu (☰ symbol)
- Select Account and 'Edit' next to your subscription.
- Select 'Cancel Subscription' and follow the on-screen prompts to cancel your subscription
For Google Play subscription via web:
- Open Google Play subscriptions on the web.
- From the left menu, select 'Subscriptions'
- Select the OS Maps subscription
- Select 'Manage' and ‘Cancel Subscription’ to stop your auto-renewal subscription.
For all subscription types, payment is taken in full at the time of purchase (except in the case of a free trial), so your subscription will still be active until the end of the current period.