Step By Step Guide How To Safely Uninstall Osmand From Your Samsung Galaxy Phone

OsmAnd is a powerful offline navigation app favored by travelers and outdoor enthusiasts for its detailed maps, turn-by-turn directions, and minimal reliance on internet connectivity. However, there are legitimate reasons you might want to remove it from your Samsung Galaxy device—whether to free up storage, resolve conflicts with other apps, enhance privacy, or simply switch to an alternative navigation tool.

While uninstalling an app may seem straightforward, doing so improperly can leave behind cached data, settings, or map files that consume valuable space or pose privacy risks. This comprehensive guide walks you through the correct process of completely and securely removing OsmAnd from your Samsung Galaxy phone while preserving system integrity and personal data.

Why Proper Uninstallation Matters

Many users assume that tapping “Uninstall” in the app drawer fully removes an application. In reality, Android often retains user data, cache, and downloaded content even after the app itself is gone. With OsmAnd, this residual data can be significant—especially if you've downloaded high-resolution maps for multiple countries.

Leaving behind such files not only wastes storage but may also expose location history or preferences if the device is ever shared, sold, or repaired. A thorough removal ensures your privacy and optimizes device performance.

“Always treat app uninstallation as a two-phase process: first remove the app, then audit what it leaves behind.” — Lena Park, Mobile Security Analyst at TechShield Labs

Step-by-Step Guide to Safely Uninstall OsmAnd

Follow these steps carefully to ensure OsmAnd is removed cleanly and securely from your Samsung Galaxy phone.

1. Back Up Important Data (Optional)
   If you plan to reinstall OsmAnd later or transfer your settings to another device, export your favorites, tracks, or custom POIs. Open OsmAnd → Menu → Settings → Backup and restore → Export backup file to cloud or SD card.
2. Close OsmAnd Completely
   Swipe up from the home screen to open Recent Apps, locate OsmAnd, and swipe it away to close it entirely. This prevents background processes from interfering with deletion.
3. Clear Cache and App Data
   Go to Settings → Apps → OsmAnd → Storage.
   Tap Clear Cache, then tap Delete Data. Confirm when prompted. This removes login tokens, search history, and temporary files.
4. Uninstall the App
   From the same screen, tap Uninstall. Confirm the action. The app will be removed from your device.
5. Manually Remove Leftover Map Files
   OsmAnd stores map data separately in internal storage. Navigate to:
   /Android/data/net.osmand/files/ or in your phone’s main storage.
   Delete the entire folder if no longer needed. Use My Files app on Samsung to access this path.
6. Check for Residual Folders
   Search your device for any folders named “OsmAnd,” “OsmAnd~,” or “net.osmand.” These may contain backups, logs, or configuration files. Delete them only after confirming they’re not linked to active apps.
7. Restart Your Device
   Reboot your Galaxy phone to flush out any lingering processes and finalize changes.

Tip: Before deleting map folders, double-check their size using the My Files app. Large folders (e.g., over 500MB) likely contain country maps you won’t need unless reusing OsmAnd.

Data Cleanup Checklist

Use this checklist to verify a complete uninstallation:

• ✅ OsmAnd app no longer appears in the app drawer
• ✅ App entry removed from Settings > Apps list
• ✅ All OsmAnd-related folders deleted from internal storage
• ✅ Cache and app data manually cleared before uninstall
• ✅ Device restarted post-uninstallation
• ✅ No battery drain or GPS usage attributed to OsmAnd in Battery Usage

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even tech-savvy users make errors during app removal. Here’s what not to do:

Mistake	Why It's Problematic	How to Avoid
Skip clearing app data before uninstall	Residual location history and settings remain accessible	Always go to Storage and delete data manually
Delete map folders before uninstalling	App may crash or behave unpredictably during final use	Remove files only after full uninstall
Assume factory reset is necessary	Unnecessary effort; targeted cleanup is safer and faster	Stick to manual deletion unless selling the device
Ignore external SD card (if used)	Map downloads may persist on removable storage	Check SD card root for OsmAnd folders

Real Example: Maria’s Experience Removing OsmAnd

Maria, a frequent hiker from Colorado, used OsmAnd for trail navigation across national parks. After switching to Gaia GPS, she uninstalled OsmAnd but noticed her Galaxy S22 still showed unusual GPS activity.

Upon investigation using the Device Care tool, she found 1.2GB of orphaned map data in /OsmAnd/. She hadn’t realized the app stored files outside its main directory. After deleting the folder and rebooting, her battery life improved noticeably, and location services stabilized.

Her oversight was common—but easily preventable with proper awareness of where OsmAnd stores its data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling OsmAnd delete my saved locations?

Yes—if those locations were stored only within the app and not exported. Always back up your favorites and waypoints via OsmAnd’s built-in export feature before uninstalling.

Can I recover OsmAnd data after uninstall?

Only if you previously created a backup file (.obf or .zip). Without a backup, all route histories, bookmarks, and downloaded voice prompts are lost permanently once the app and its folders are deleted.

Does OsmAnd run in the background after being uninstalled?

No. Once properly uninstalled and cleared, OsmAnd cannot run. However, if you see \"OsmAnd\" in recent location access logs shortly after removal, it’s likely cached data being reported. Restarting the phone clears this false trace.

Protecting Privacy After App Removal

Navigation apps collect sensitive information: places visited, frequented routes, and even estimated home addresses based on overnight stops. Simply uninstalling isn’t enough for privacy-conscious users.

After removing OsmAnd, consider reviewing your Google Location History (Settings → Location → Google Location History) and disable Web & App Activity if desired. You can also delete specific timeline entries tied to OsmAnd usage.

Tip: Use Samsung’s built-in ‘Find My Mobile’ service to remotely wipe data if the device is lost or being transferred—especially important if you didn’t fully clean OsmAnd files.

Conclusion

Uninstalling OsmAnd from your Samsung Galaxy phone doesn’t have to be risky or incomplete. By following a structured approach—backing up critical data, clearing app storage, removing the app, and manually deleting leftover map files—you maintain control over your privacy, storage, and device performance.

Whether you're streamlining your phone for better speed or transitioning to a new navigation solution, taking the time to remove apps like OsmAnd correctly pays off in long-term usability and peace of mind.

🚀 Ready to optimize your Galaxy experience? Audit one unused app this week using this method—and reclaim both space and confidence in your digital hygiene.