# OS Locate > Converts GPS to Ordnance Survey National Grid references for precise map location. (iPhone/iPad app by Ordnance Survey.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/os-locate/id810024913 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Ordnance Survey](https://appshunter.io/developer/569517411) - Category: Navigation - Price: Free - Rating: 4.76/5 from 160 App Store ratings · 75 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 11.0 · 64 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2014-02-12 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/os-locate/id810024913/reviews.md ## What is OS Locate? Make the most of your adventures in the great outdoors with OS Locate. Used alongside your Ordnance Survey map, OS Locate is a fast and highly accurate means of pinpointing your exact location on the map, anywhere in Great Britain. If you have lost your bearings or simply would like a little reassurance, OS Locate is the ideal companion for all enthusiasts of the great outdoors. The app converts GPS location readings from your mobile phone to Ordnance Survey National Grid references, enabling you to determine precisely where you are on an Ordnance Survey map. No mobile signal? No problem; OS Locate does not require a mobile signal to function – the inbuilt GPS system can be relied upon, even in the most remote areas. Simply download the app and switch on your device’s location services (Settings – Privacy – Location services). OS Locate is packed with additional features. The ‘Share’ button allows you to connect with friends and family via messaging and social media – let them know where you are, how your adventure is progressing and what time you will be home. Use the handy digital compass to take your bearings – always ensuring you are on the right track. For those who are keen to learn more about maps and navigation, the ‘About’ button hosts a wealth of information including hints and tips and a guide to map reading. In addition, you will find simple yet comprehensive guides on how to use eastings and northings. OS Locate – know where you are. OS Locate is a complementary tool for Ordnance Survey paper maps. You should always have an Ordnance Survey paper map and baseplate compass when exploring the great outdoors. Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. Please ensure your Location Services are turned on. OS Locate has been updated to provide even greater peace of mind by providing accurate altitude information. As this is taken from the GPS signal, it will always be available. Also new for version 1.1, OS Locate will automatically detect whether you are outside Great Britain, and convert Ordnance Survey’s Northing and Easting location information into internationally recognised Latitude and Longitude readings, which can be used anywhere in the world. Finally, Ordnance Survey has partnered with Silva Compasses to update the virtual compass feature to use Silva’s trademarked design for greater usability. ## Key features - National Grid reference conversion - Offline GPS functionality - Digital compass - Altitude information - International coordinate conversion - Location sharing ## What do users think of OS Locate? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 👍 Easy to use and navigate - 🧭 Accurate compass functionality - 📍 Precise GPS and grid references - 🆘 Essential for emergencies - ⛰️ Useful for DofE expeditions - 🗺️ Good for checking location on paper maps - ✅ Reliable in remote areas - ✨ Simple and clean design - 🆓 Free to use - ⚡ Fast and responsive - ⬆️ Provides altitude reading - 🔄 Works well with OS paper maps **Cons** - 🐛 Compass calibration issues - 📉 Difficulty downloading maps offline - 👎 Outdated or difficult to use interface - 🚫 Not a replacement for a physical compass - 🤷 Confusing to navigate - ⚠️ Inaccurate directional readings - ❌ Digital map download issues - 🔄 Previous version was better - 📱 Device-specific performance issues - 🧭 Compass points incorrectly in landscape mode - 📏 Limited grid reference accuracy (6-digit) - 📍 Not compatible with iPad - 🪲 Buggy or frozen screens - 🛰️ Compass points wrong direction at sea **Commonly reported bugs** - Compass points 90 degrees out in landscape mode - Compass out of calibration (approx. 90 degrees off) - Compass showing North and South incorrectly - Screen frozen, no way to locate - Readings for Easting and Northings are useless and too short - Compass does not point North consistently - iPad compatibility issues - Sharing location gives a broken link (fixed) - App crashes when accessing info > settings - Watch app has been out of action for 10 months and not fixed - Compass points 180 degrees out at sea - Compass points 90 degrees out in landscape mode on iPad - Apple Watch app only displays 6-figure grid reference **Most requested features** - Option to display mils - Display W3W words alongside NGR - Ability to calibrate compass - Option to set magnetic declination - Latitude longitude readout in degrees minutes seconds - Apple Watch app with 10-figure grid reference - Download larger map areas offline - Support for Northern Ireland grid - 10-figure grid reference option - Bearing from OS Maps app integration ## Recent user reviews (10 of 75) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/os-locate/id810024913/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Great app🩷🩷🩷🩷 *2025-03-23, version 1.6.2* it’s so fun to use and can’t wait for dofe so nice job OS Locate! ### 5/5 — Very good on DofE *2025-03-20, version 1.6.2* Very good on my DofE and helped me and my group way find 😁 ### 5/5 — 👍 *2025-02-17, version 1.6.2* I think it’s pretty sigma and it’s a rizz full compass.🧀 ### 5/5 — Simple *2025-01-03, version 1.6.2* Nice design easy on eye. Would be nice if mils would be an option ### 5/5 — Great App *2024-12-21, version 1.6.2* Great App - very accurate ### 1/5 — Useless app *2024-11-30, version 1.6.2* Very poor difficult to use I have had os maps for years and I have put up with a second rate app. More recently this has become impossible to use. Preparing a route etc is so difficult to follow that I have given up and cancelled my subscription. ### 5/5 — Brilliant app - simple yet invaluable *2024-10-09, version 1.6.2* Love this app and find it so useful, as a quick back up when manually navigating or to check orientation and directions when I don’t have a compass. ### 2/5 — Dofe *2024-09-29, version 1.6.2* OS maps is essential to my role with the DofE award scheme. In the absence of paper maps, I turn to my phone and log into Dofe to pass messages to units involved vvvv In ### 5/5 — Glad I had this app *2024-09-29, version 1.6.2* I never walk in the hills without a paper map and silva compass which I’ve used for nearly 50 years as well as now carrying a hand held GPS unit and OS maps app on the phone. But while out walking in the Scottish Highlands my wife fell and badly broke her leg. To be able to open the app and give a 10 figure grid reference and altitude in seconds to the emergency services was a god send. Though I can easy do 8 figure grid references but not as quick as the app. It then enabled me to spend the time taking care of wife rather than trying to pin point exactly where we where. I’d recommend to anyone ### 4/5 — I j on k *2024-09-07, version 1.6.2* ‘ o @&- ## Frequently asked questions about OS Locate ### What does OS Locate do? OS Locate is a navigation tool that helps you find your exact position on an Ordnance Survey map. It converts your mobile device's GPS location readings into Ordnance Survey National Grid references, allowing for precise pinpointing of your location on paper maps. ### Does OS Locate require a mobile signal? No, OS Locate does not require a mobile signal to function. It relies on your device's inbuilt GPS system, which works even in remote areas where mobile reception is unavailable. ### What are the key features of OS Locate? Key features include converting GPS to Ordnance Survey National Grid references, offline functionality, a digital compass, accurate altitude information, and the ability to convert locations to international Latitude and Longitude readings for use anywhere in the world. It also offers a 'Share' button to let others know your location. ### Is OS Locate free to use? Yes, OS Locate is a free application. It is designed to be a complementary tool for Ordnance Survey paper maps and does not have any associated costs for download or use. ### Who is OS Locate intended for? OS Locate is ideal for anyone who enjoys outdoor adventures in Great Britain, such as hikers, walkers, and enthusiasts of the great outdoors. It is particularly useful for those who use Ordnance Survey paper maps and want a reliable way to confirm their position. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.6.2 — 2022-11-02 Analytics improvements ### 1.6.1 — 2022-01-28 - More accurate position in Shared Location ### 1.6.0 — 2021-08-30 - Support for 6, 8 and 10 figure grid references - WatchOS support so you can use OS Locate with Apple Watch ### 1.5.4 — 2021-06-10 We’ve fixed an issue with sharing links to your location. ### 1.5.3 — 2021-05-13 Fix for a crash on the 'Settings' page. ## Apps similar to OS Locate | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Memory-Map](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/memory-map/id354675923) | 4.5 (52) | Free | Navigation | | [UK Map](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/uk-map/id365745482) | 3.3 (7) | $9.99 | Navigation | | [W3WM](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/w3wm/id1541497422) | — | Free | Navigation | | [Yorkshire Dales National Park](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/yorkshire-dales-national-park/id1577747961) | 4.9 (35) | Free | Navigation | | [GridPoint GB](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gridpoint-gb/id314445598) | — | Free | Navigation | | [OMN - Outdoor Map Navigator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/omn-outdoor-map-navigator/id1276592903) | 2.5 (2) | Free | Navigation | ## More apps by Ordnance Survey - [OS Maps: Walk, Hike, Run, Bike](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/os-maps-walk-hike-run-bike/id978307846) - [TheatreInRetail](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/theatreinretail/id1456992394) - [Secret Stories: Walk & explore](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/secret-stories-walk-and-explore/id1504048210) All apps by Ordnance Survey: https://appshunter.io/developer/569517411 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*