Manually updating onlinemapsources.xml on multiple devices is a hassle. Use a cloud sync solution.
In an era of APIs, SDKs, and proprietary map keys, Oruxmaps’ XML file feels like a relic—and a rebellion. It’s open by default. No paywalls, no rate limiting (unless the server enforces it), no vendor lock-in.
For power users, it’s the difference between using a map app and owning a map app. The XML file is a master override. When the apocalypse comes and the commercial map servers go dark, Oruxmaps users with a community XML file will still be pulling tiles from academic mirrors, OpenStreetMap clones, and cached personal archives. Oruxmaps Online Map Sources.xml
Oruxmaps uses a hierarchical XML (Extensible Markup Language) structure to store information about online map servers. Every time you tap "Online Maps" inside the app, Oruxmaps reads this file and renders a list. Each entry contains crucial parameters:
Without this file, Oruxmaps cannot connect to any third-party tile server. The default file included with the app is intentionally minimal to avoid copyright violations. The responsibility—and freedom—is yours to populate it. Manually updating onlinemapsources
If you do not see onlinemapsources.xml in the mapfiles directory, Oruxmaps may still be using a default hardcoded list. In that case:
Minimal valid XML template:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<onlinemapsources>
<!-- Your sources go here -->
</onlinemapsources>
Cause: Wrong URL pattern. Oruxmaps uses zoom, x, y. Some servers expect z, row, or col. Also, check zoom constraints – you may be zoomed out beyond the server’s min zoom.
Fix: Compare your URL with working examples from the same tile service. Try the URL in a web browser first.
Let’s say you find a university’s historical map archive. They serve tiles at:
https://historicalmaps.uni.edu/tiles/z/x/y.jpg Without this file, Oruxmaps cannot connect to any
You can wrap that in XML in 90 seconds. No API key. No permission. Just a text file. Now you’re navigating the 1890s USGS survey of the Grand Canyon on your phone, offline (after caching).