Your browser does not support Mapbox GL, which is required to display maps on OS Maps. Please follow the steps below to resolve the issue. 

1. Update your browser to the latest version, using the instructions at the relevant link below

• Chrome
• Safari
• Edge
• Firefox

2. Check your browser supports Mapbox GL

To test if your browser supports the technology, go to https://get.webgl.org/

If you do not see a spinning cube, you may need to enable WebGL on your browser, or you can try switching to a different browser. Follow the steps below on how to enable WebGL on your browser.

If you see a spinning cube and still see an error message in OS Maps, please contact us.

3. How to enable WebGL technology on your browser

Chrome:

• Type 'chrome://settings' in your address bar
• Select 'system'
• Toggle 'Use hardware acceleration when available' to On
• Click 'Relaunch'

Safari:

• On the menu bar, click 'Safari' and then select 'Preferences'
• Select the 'Websites' tab
• Select 'WebGL' from the list on the left side of the window. (Note, you will only see this if WebGL is disabled)
• If you see explore.osmaps.com listed on the right, select 'Allow' from the drop-down menu
• If you do not see explore.osmaps.com listed, look for 'When visiting other websites' in the lower-right corner of the window, and select 'Ask' or 'Allow' from the drop-down menu
• Restart Safari

Edge:

• Click the overflow menu (3 horizontal dots) in the upper-right corner of your browser window and select 'Settings'
• Click 'System' from the left panel
• Toggle 'Use hardware acceleration when available' to on
• Click 'Restart'

Firefox:

• Type 'about:config' in your address bar
• Search for 'webgl.enable-webgl2' and set preference to 'True'
• Search for 'webgl.force-enabled' and set preference to 'True'
• Search for 'webgl.disabled' and set the preferences to 'True'
• Restart Firefox

4. Still not working?

If these steps don't resolve the issue, then please contact us, providing the following information

• Viewing a Mapbox GL error message
• Browser name and version
• Operating System and version

The OS Maps smartwatch app is available on smartwatches with Android or Apple operating systems. It is not currently available on Garmin or Fitbit smartwatches.  

Android 

The OS Maps smartwatch app will work with smartwatches running WearOS 2.0+, WearOS works with phones running Android 6.0+ 

You can check if you phone will work with WearOS by visiting https://wearos.google.com/intl/en_gb/wearcheck/.

To check the version of WearOS available on a smartwatch https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Wear_OS_devices 

To check the latest version of Android available on a smartphone 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Android_smartphones 

Apple  

The OS Maps smartwatch app will work with Apple smartwatches running WatchOS6+ 

- Apple Watch Series 1 or later  

- Require iPhone6s or later (note the Apple Watch can only be paired with iPhones) 

To use the OS Maps smartwatch app with your smartphone you will first need to pair the watch with your device, following the instructions at the below links. 

Set up your Apple Watch  

Set up your WearOS smartwatch  

Once you have paired your smartwatch with your device, you can download the OS Maps mobile app onto your smartphone and smartwatch, and log into OS Maps.

You will need to be logged into OS Maps mobile app on your smartphone. 

You can start recording your activity on the OS Maps app on your smartphone or on your smartwatch. Your smartphone records the activity. 

• To start recording your activity on your smartwatch select the OS Maps app from your smartwatch  
• Select the activity type. This will automatically start recording your activity. 
• To stop the recording the activity, select ‘Stop’. If you have your activity recording stats on screen you will need to swipe left, and then select ‘Stop’ 
• To resume recording the activity, select ‘Resume’ 
  To Save the activity, stop the activity, following the same process as described above then select ‘Finish’ and ‘Save’ activity.  
• You can view the details of your activity in ‘My Activities’, from the main menu on your OS Maps smartphone app 

This feature isn't available on smartwatches yet, but you can follow a route on your OS Maps mobile app.

Yes, you need the OS Maps mobile app installed and logged in on your smartphone. Your smartwatch acts as a remote control for your smartphone, so that you don’t need to look at your phone whilst you are recording your activity.  

You can start recording your activity on your smartphone or on your smartwatch, and you will see the same activity stats on both devices.  

You will need Bluetooth turned on both your smartwatch and smartphone. 

OS Maps version 4.1.0 is required for both iOS and Android versions of the app to enable the smartwatch companion app.

Offline downloads, including maps downloaded through the OS Maps mobile app and those redeemed via a code on paper maps are automatically saved in the default location that your device saves downloaded content.

Security restrictions inside the Android and iOS operating systems may prevent users from saving downloaded maps to a different location, including external SD cards.

The option to change the default location that downloads are saved will vary by device, so please check your device's settings and options.

As with any mobile app, using OS Maps will impact your device's battery life. Features that use the GPS function such as 'Find my location', 'Route recording' and 'Route following' can have a significant impact on battery life. We suggest turning these features off, or only using them when necessary.

Top tip: If you're concerned about battery life, do not use the record or follow functions, as this requires the device to constantly update your location. Instead, show the route on screen, and check your position against the route manually. You may need to wait a few seconds after unlocking your device for the location to update.

To maximise battery life, you can also use your device’s built-in power saving options by reducing the time to standby/sleep, turning down screen brightness, turning off WiFi and Bluetooth and using any other power saving features.

OS Maps will need to access certain permissions to work with certain features.

• Location: To show your position on the map, record routes, use off-course alerts and display correct labels in AR mode. On some devices, you will need to allow location access 'At all times' to ensure your location is updated even if you open another mobile app or turn your screen off.

• Email:  To import and export routes as GPX files from your email. Disabling this will prevent you from creating routes from imported GPX files. Exporting GPX files is limited to premium users only.

• Camera: For AR functions including feature labelling and Tabletop 3D (iOS).

• Storage: To save offline maps and routes

• Contacts: To use route sharing function and send them to contacts via email, text or other messaging services.

When access is required for certain features, you will be notified and asked to allow OS Maps to access these permissions. You can change these permissions at any time in your device's settings.

Certain functionality and features within the OS Maps mobile app require a data connection, either over WiFi or your mobile device's network connection. Some of these features include:

• Viewing online maps

• Downloading maps

• Search

• Login

• Calculating route profiles

Viewing a large map area or downloading maps can use quite a lot of data so we recommend using WiFi where possible and making use of the ability to download offline maps for when you can't access WiFi

The OS Maps mobile app is available on Apple iPhones and iPads running iOS 11 and higher and on Android devices using Android 5 and higher.  

To make sure you're enjoying the best OS Maps experience, please keep your iOS & Android devices updated by regularly checking the Apple App & Google Play stores for the latest app versions.

You can also use the OS Maps web version, on computers and mobile devices that support the latest versions of most popular browsers. You can find instructions on how to check and update browser versions below

• Chrome
• Safari
• Edge
• Firefox
• Opera

Always make sure that you are using the same account on web and mobile app versions of OS Maps by using the same login details across all devices.