OruxMaps

Uncategorized Boards => GENERAL => Topic started by: Bartorux on April 06, 2025, 11:33:25 AM

Title: Oruxmaps 7.4.28 Obsoleta?
Post by: Bartorux on April 06, 2025, 11:33:25 AM
Hola,

la ultima version que se podía descargar de la pagina era la apk 7.4.28. Lamentablemente ya no se puede descargar mas, dice en la pagina "obsoleta"

Porque ya no se puede descargar? funcionaba perfecta.

Gracias por la información



Title: Re: Oruxmaps 7.4.28 Obsoleta?
Post by: LaurentG on April 07, 2025, 02:45:16 PM
It continues to work fine, without any issue, but I guess that Jose wanted to stop to have both versions in parallel....

I already wrote a post a long time ago, saying that it was, at least from my standpoint, really sad to go this way, even if the cost of GP version is really low. It's NOT a cost issue.
But this GP version has now a REAL drawback (I guess Jose is not responsible, but Google ?) : It requires to be connected, to check if connected user is allowed to use running version...

As I already said, the world of "free" apps is another world, AND A LOT BETTER world, than the world of commercial apps.

And in this "free" apps world, this didn't prevent to suggest users to make a donation... and then maybe generate even more revenue to author than with a "low price" paying app (even more taking into consideration the large part kept by Google itself...)
Title: Re: Oruxmaps 7.4.28 Obsoleta?
Post by: Tronpo on April 10, 2025, 05:31:47 PM
Hello, in my opinion the difference is not in whether it is free or not.
For me, the ideal would be a version of OruxMaps GP in apk.
As a  installation apk for all supports, all work should be rewarded, I don't work for free for example.
In one way or another that this GP version. Apk could be used with Google account or paying in some way
This would make parallel maintenance of both apps simple and cost-effective for the developer.
I would buy a new version of OruxMaps again.

Best regards
Title: Re: Oruxmaps 7.4.28 Obsoleta?
Post by: Sandy on April 13, 2025, 12:31:57 AM
Quote from: LaurentG on April 07, 2025, 02:45:16 PM(..)
But this GP version has now a REAL drawback (I guess Jose is not responsible, but Google ?) : It requires to be connected, to check if connected user is allowed to use running version... (..)
What do you mean with "requires to be connected"? Doesn't the GP version run without internet-connection? Or do you just mean the "connection" to Google Play, that you need to use Google's store to install it?
Title: Re: Oruxmaps 7.4.28 Obsoleta?
Post by: LaurentG on April 13, 2025, 08:49:07 AM
I do not have personal experience on that (since I'm using the old "free" version, 7.4.28), but have a look here https://oruxmaps.org/forum/index.php?topic=44711.0 and here https://oruxmaps.org/forum/index.php?topic=44645.0
Title: Re: Oruxmaps 7.4.28 Obsoleta?
Post by: Sandy on April 14, 2025, 02:40:10 AM
Thanks a lot @LaurentG, this sounds concerning. It would really be a problem for me if I'm somewhere in the woods or mountains and can't use OruxMaps offline. I use Google Play, so this part would not affect me (yet I understand people who don't want to use it), but if OruxMaps really checks for an active internet-connection sometimes and does not start offline, this would be a HUGE problem.

@orux: Could you clarify this please?
Title: Re: Oruxmaps 7.4.28 Obsoleta?
Post by: Tronpo on April 14, 2025, 04:29:13 AM
Hello
Quote from: Sandy on April 14, 2025, 02:40:10 AMThanks a lot @LaurentG, this sounds concerning. It would really be a problem for me if I'm somewhere in the woods or mountains and can't use OruxMaps offline. I use Google Play, so this part would not affect me (yet I understand people who don't want to use it), but if OruxMaps really checks for an active internet-connection sometimes and does not start offline, this would be a HUGE problem.

@orux: Could you clarify this please?

Hi I use oruxmaps GP on a phone without connection or sim card. No problem everything works fine.
It is the Google play version, what they are commenting is that if this version is needed to also have the play store app installed on the phone, so that oruxmaps GP works.
Best regards
Title: Re: Oruxmaps 7.4.28 Obsoleta?
Post by: LaurentG on April 14, 2025, 09:59:28 AM
@Tronpo : First of all, how did you install OM GP on a phone "without connection or sim card" ???

Moreover, you wrote it works fine. I'm happy for you, but it is NOT what @ut wrote here https://oruxmaps.org/forum/index.php?topic=44645.msg59223#msg59223

So, even if YOU do not have had (yet ?) problem, I remain very cautious with this potential VERY HUGE problem....
Title: Re: Oruxmaps 7.4.28 Obsoleta?
Post by: Sandy on April 14, 2025, 04:15:59 PM
@LaurentG: Yes that's a discrepancy, @Tronpo writing "No problem everything works fine." but @ut writing "My GooglePlay is always on, but without network connection sometimes the application does not start.". Therefore I would appreciate an "official" clarification from @orux.
Title: Re: Oruxmaps 7.4.28 Obsoleta?
Post by: Maki on April 14, 2025, 10:00:18 PM
Quote from: LaurentG on April 14, 2025, 09:59:28 AM@Tronpo : First of all, how did you install OM GP on a phone "without connection or sim card"

I'm not Trompo, but it's quite easy, just use wifi to do the install and when you are done remove the network and/or the google account. I did this with an old phone I use as radio player, once installed the apps I removed the account so that a potential thief doesn't have access to it. On the "outdoor backup" phone I kept the account (since it has a fingerprint reader) but disconnected it from the net.

That said I agree that a clarification about how this works from Josè would be useful. I'd hate to find myself without the app in a situation where I have no connection which is pretty frequent in the Alps.
Title: Re: Oruxmaps 7.4.28 Obsoleta?
Post by: Off-Track1234 on August 05, 2026, 10:57:52 PM
OM 7.4.28 and OM NG 12.0.5 both work fine for me under Flight Mode, so in my experience they do not need to any phone connection. Sometimes other bugs can complicate interpretation, or different devices may behave unexpectedly. Anyone who is concerned about this issue should test the version that they use on their own device in Flight Mode.
Title: Re: Oruxmaps 7.4.28 Obsoleta?
Post by: LaurentG on August 06, 2026, 08:28:29 AM
7.4.28 : no doubt, I'm using it (almost...) every day. And I couldn't understand how (and why...) Google could have an impact and block  an app not coming from its Store.

But for "paying" (GP a/o NG) application, it remains a doubt : According to several users, Google wants sometimes (rarely ?) to verify that you are OK and allowed to use the version, and prevent launching in case of network not active.

What I understand from various comments is that, at least, this check is not frequent, since some users have never been impacted.
But some others say that they have been sometimes unable to launch the app without network.
If these users are not liars, this mean that, at least sometimes, even if it is very infrequent, network is mandatory to launch the app.

I cannot prove it occurs, I don't know.
I only say that if it is true that it MAY occur, it could be very annoying in some cases.... and personally prevent me to use such an app.

And I remain very surprise that Jose, several times questioned on this thread, remains silent about the problem....
Title: Re: Oruxmaps 7.4.28 Obsoleta?
Post by: ut on August 07, 2026, 09:48:57 AM
I am one of the users who experienced the app being disabled due to a Google Play check failing because there was no connection, as described at https://oruxmaps.org/forum/index.php?topic=44645.0, but this has not happened since December 2024.
OruxMaps GP and my Samsung phone remain unchanged and there have been no Android updates.
The mystery remains... :(
Title: Re: Oruxmaps 7.4.28 Obsoleta?
Post by: Tronpo on August 07, 2026, 06:19:15 PM
Maybe Jose doesn't have all the answers simply. Each Android is a world and I have only seen these reports from Samsung users
Title: Re: Oruxmaps 7.4.28 Obsoleta?
Post by: Off-Track1234 on August 09, 2026, 06:50:59 AM
Very few people can say for sure what Google (or Samsung etc) did in the past, and nobody can say for sure what they will do at some indeterminate time in the future. I guess to save space OM 7.4.28 could be configured for back-up use (accessing the folders with maps etc for a newer OM version), but it would be a hassle to configure. Then it might rain, or you might break the phone, or run out of battery. My preference, for safety off track, is always to carry a printed map and compass, and know how to use them.
Title: Re: Oruxmaps 7.4.28 Obsoleta?
Post by: Off-Track1234 on August 17, 2026, 12:25:50 PM
Not such a hassle as I thought. Only took a few minutes to direct 7.4.28 to the folders used by 12.0.5 for cursor, maps, dems, tracklogs, waypoints, custom types, pictures and geocaches. I left profiles and map styles alone. Not sure about styles: at least 7.4.28 does not like zip. Everything looks fine (try Maps >Reset raster cache if anything looks odd). Maps are the big space users. If you want the new features while retaining the insurance (or the lost features) of 7.4.28 this is worthwhile. If you keep upgrading, eventually it may fail with new Mapsforge engines etc., but for now it is OK. Still a phone though.
Title: Re: Oruxmaps 7.4.28 Obsoleta?
Post by: LaurentG on August 17, 2026, 01:15:18 PM
Quote from: Off-Track1234 on August 17, 2026, 12:25:50 PMNot sure about styles: at least 7.4.28 does not like zip

I confirm. For 7.4.28, Map themes have to be unzipped. OM 7.4.28 cannot read directly the zip file.

But AFAIK, with recent versions of OM, Map Themes can be either in a zip, or unzipped. So, to enhance "compatibility" between the two versions, and allow them to share everything, you only have to unzip all themes.
Title: Re: Oruxmaps 7.4.28 Obsoleta?
Post by: Off-Track1234 on August 19, 2026, 04:20:01 AM
I think overlays and waypoints may be a bit trickier.  :-[

The overlay folder cannot be set in 7.4.28, but if you 'load a KLM overlay' and navigate to the new overlay folder, that will be remembered by OM for the next use.

I gather from an earlier reply by Orux that in old OM "The virtual folders you create to organize wpts and tracks are saved in your profile". But there are lots of new settings, so I have not been game to use old profiles in the new version. There seems to be no way in OM 7.4.28 to set the default or any other waypoint folder to the new ones used by OM NG (or GP). Has anyone worked this out?
Title: Re: Oruxmaps 7.4.28 Obsoleta?
Post by: Off-Track1234 on August 20, 2026, 12:36:05 AM
I am not sure that a user can share everything for 'complete compatibility' between several running OM versions. There have been some changes to the OM database (like --- vs @All).

But there is an easy work-around for those who just want 7.4.28 as a fallback in case of the rare but dreaded 'playstore bug'. Just 'manage' things in the new version of OM and use KML overlays (or GPX/kml 'imports') to see things in the old version.

For Waypoints: Before the trip (or after each substantial change) select and export waypoints of interest (by sub-folder if you use that structure) to KML file(s). Give each file a sensible name, and move it to the overlay folder. Then to see the waypoints, load those KML overlays. This is how I view waypoints anyhow, to avoid accidental changes unless I am in edit mode.

For Tracks/Routes: In 7.4.28, you can set the save location, but it still uses the default manage location that you can not alter. I already import route files as GPX from a PC app. Save each to a sensible folder (eg ...OM >tracklogs >routes), then in OM just load the GPX route (no need to save it to the OM database). Tracks made in OM must be saved to GPX, but that can be set to automatic ('Export Track after finished'). So in a 'playstore emergency' you will be able to use 7.4.28 to see everything except your most recent track (because it has not yet completed and saved). Not perfect, but enough to get out of trouble.

I have not played with directing NG to use the old folders or profiles, but there would still be those database changes. I have not duplicated all folders (that would need a lot of updating). So for me the 'manage in NG and view as GPX/ KML method' works well. Try it before you leave home of course, and pack a paper map and a compass for when the electrons fail.