CoMaps review: offline maps without tracking

CoMaps is a free offline map app for walking, cycling and driving when you do not want a mobile-data connection.¹ It is for travellers, hikers and anyone who would rather keep a trip on their own phone. The maps are OpenStreetMap data, made and maintained by contributors from all over the world.⁴

Last checked October 29, 2026.

At a glance

What it is: A community-led offline map and navigation app that uses OpenStreetMap.²

Works on: Android, iOS, macOS and Linux.²

Price: Free. Development relies on voluntary donations.²

Licence: Apache License 2.0.²

Best for: Offline walking, cycling and driving, with the route kept on your phone.

Official site: comaps.app

What CoMaps does (and how it protects your privacy)

You download a region, then search and follow a route with GPS, the satellite signal a phone uses to estimate where you are. CoMaps says you can plan and navigate with just GPS and no mobile data.¹ The about page says the features can operate without an active internet connection.⁴

The App Store notes say the map data is OpenStreetMap as of 4 October 2026, with further weekly updates.⁷

The project describes CoMaps as a fork of Organic Maps, originally based on Maps.ME. A fork is a separate line of the same code.² The about page says that in 2025, governance issues stalled Organic Maps for months, and that former contributors then founded CoMaps as a community, non-profit project on that code.⁴ The Codeberg repository’s latest commit was dated 29 October 2026.² See Organic Maps.

Key features of CoMaps

Spoken directions: Turn-by-turn guidance on foot, by bike or by car, from a map stored on the phone.¹
Outdoor detail: Trails, campsites, water sources, contour lines (lines that show height) and offline Wikipedia articles.¹
Saved routes: Export and import bookmarks and tracks as KML, KMZ or GPX, a common route file.²
Car screens: Android Auto and CarPlay are supported.²
Map edits: A basic built-in editor can improve the OpenStreetMap data.²
Many languages: The App Store listing includes English and 43 more.⁷

CoMaps pros and cons

Pros

The privacy policy says CoMaps does not track you, identify people, show advertising, or collect personal data.³
The app is free, the code is under the Apache License 2.0, and support is voluntary donations.²
Favourites and tracks can leave the phone as ordinary GPS files.²
The App Store notes describe weekly map updates after OpenStreetMap data dated 4 October 2026.⁷

Cons

You need the region files first. They are split by file size as well as by area, so the borders may not match familiar provinces or counties.⁵
The public-transport layer is subway and light rail in a growing list of cities.¹
Android Auto is only on the Google Play build. The F-Droid and Codeberg builds have no built-in world map, and Play releases may be delayed by review.⁶
A faster location option that uses Wi-Fi and mobile networks is off by default. With only GPS satellites, finding the first position can take a long time.⁶
The August 2026 guide, written for the July release, says live navigation starts from your location, and that a route between two other points does not start navigation. Later versions might be different.⁵
A Windows build is not in the published platform list of Android, iOS, macOS and Linux.²

Is CoMaps safe and private?

The privacy policy, effective 19 September 2026, says CoMaps does not identify people, show advertising, or collect personal data, and that it does not track you.³ The beginner’s guide says that when you use offline features, including search and navigation, that data is not sent anywhere. The guide was written for version 2026.07.16-10 and says later versions might be different.⁵ The map files themselves are downloaded onto the phone.⁵ A separate guide explains what an internet provider can still see about a connection.

If you email log files to support, the policy says those logs may contain GPS coordinates or bookmark data. You can edit them first. Inactive requests are closed after a week, and closed requests are deleted after a year.³

Exodus Privacy checks an Android app file for tracker code it already knows. Its report on Google Play build 2026.10.05-19, created on 28 October 2026, says it found no code signature of any tracker it knows. Exodus also says the app could contain trackers it does not know yet, and that a file scan is not proof of tracker activity.⁸ The report lists precise location only in the foreground, meaning while the app is in use, and full network access.⁸

Apple’s listing says the developer indicated that no data is collected, and that the app may use location even when it is not open.⁷ On Android, a faster location option that uses Wi-Fi or cellular networks is off by default. The project says that option uses a microG reimplementation of Google’s location library.⁶ Donations are voluntary, through OpenCollective or Liberapay, and the project says its finances are published on Open Collective.²

How to get started with CoMaps

Install from the CoMaps download page. The beginner’s guide points iPhones to the App Store and Android phones to Google Play, or to F-Droid and IzzyOnDroid on a custom Android system.⁵ Mac and Linux are listed too.²
On Android, the Play Store build includes a world map and is the only one with Android Auto. The F-Droid and Codeberg builds ask you to download maps on first launch.⁶
Before a trip, open the menu, open the maps download screen, and tap the green plus button. Zooming in can offer a missing region. A yellow circular arrow means a map needs an update.⁵
Turn location on for live guidance. Leave the Wi-Fi and cellular assist off for GPS only, or turn it on if the first position is slow to appear.⁶
Search, or tap a place and choose Route to. Pick a mode such as walking or driving, then start. Voice instructions are under Navigation in Settings.⁵ Search follows the area on screen, so try the city before a full street address.⁵
Export favourites before you uninstall. The August 2026 guide says they are deleted with the app unless you export them first.⁵

Who should use CoMaps (and who might prefer something else)

CoMaps fits people who want the map on the phone before the signal drops, and who want a privacy policy that says the app does not track them.³ If you drive, download the region first. A separate guide covers offline maps once you are in the car. For Android Auto, use the Google Play build.⁶

For a different maps app, see the Academy article on OsmAnd. Windows is not in the CoMaps platform list.² The transit layer is subway and light rail in a growing list of cities.¹

Frequently asked questions

Is CoMaps free?

Yes. The project says CoMaps is free and relies on voluntary donations through OpenCollective or Liberapay.² Apple’s App Store lists it as free.⁷

Is CoMaps safe?

The privacy policy says CoMaps does not track you or collect personal data.³ Exodus found no known tracker code in Google Play build 2026.10.05-19, and warns that unknown trackers would not show up in that scan.⁸ Apple’s listing says location may be used even when the app is not open.⁷

Does CoMaps work on iPhone?

Yes. The App Store lists it for iPhone and iPad on version 15.6 or later, and for a Mac with an Apple M1 chip or later on macOS 12.5 or later. The listed version is 2026.10.05, dated 7 October 2026.⁷

Does CoMaps work offline?

Yes, after the map files are on the device. The homepage says you can plan and navigate with just GPS and no mobile data.¹ A newer map is another download.⁵ The App Store notes describe further weekly updates.⁷