Vela Maps

A degoogled maps and navigation client for Android — what NewPipe is to YouTube, Vela is to Google Maps. Open vector tiles provide the basemap, while the device itself scrapes Google's public web endpoints (per-user, no backend) for the things Google does best: POI quality, routing, and traffic-aware ETAs. Built to run on GrapheneOS and other no-GMS ROMs.

Why a degoogled app uses Google

A phone without Google Play Services cannot run Google Maps, and open map datasets fall well short on search, reviews, hours, and live traffic. So Vela is a thin client over Google's public web endpoints. It queries them the same way a logged-out browser does — once per user, with no account, no shared API key, and no server in between. NewPipe does the same for YouTube. There are no ads, and your searches, saved places, and history stay on the phone. If you run GrapheneOS or another no-GMS ROM, this gives you working maps again.

The map itself — streets, labels, and house numbers — all come from OpenStreetMap. Google is used only for places, search, routing, and traffic. As a result, street names and house numbers may differ from what Google Maps shows, and the level of detail available offline depends on how well OpenStreetMap covers your area. I am exploring ways to improve OSM and fill data gaps. Stay tuned.

Privacy

There is no Vela backend, no account, and no telemetry. Vela fetches data from Google directly from your phone, acting like a logged-out browser — Google sees your IP, query, and map area, but not a Google account or any app key, much like using google.com/maps in an incognito window. Your saved places, history, and settings never leave the device.

License

GNU General Public License v3.0