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OpenLayers Plugin Built into QGIS 2.18 as XYZ tile layers
QGIS 2.18 and later do the main job of OpenLayers Plugin natively, with XYZ tile layers. You can use that instead of installing the plugin. Add OpenStreetMap and other web basemaps as XYZ Tiles connections in the Browser panel.
| Native feature | XYZ tile layers |
|---|---|
| First release | QGIS 2.18 |
| Where to find it | Browser panel › XYZ Tiles, or the XYZ tab of the Data Source Manager (Ctrl+L) |
| Plugin | OpenLayers Plugin, last released 2018-04-09 |
| Plugin on QGIS 4 | Not QGIS 4 ready |
How to use XYZ tile layers
- In the Browser panel, expand XYZ Tiles. QGIS ships with an OpenStreetMap connection.
- Double-click OpenStreetMap, or drag it onto the map, to add it as a layer.
- To add another basemap, right-click XYZ Tiles, choose New Connection… and enter a name and a tile URL such as https://example.com/{z}/{x}/{y}.png.
- The same connections are listed in the XYZ tab of the Data Source Manager (Ctrl+L).
Sources: QGIS 2.18 changelog entry QGIS User Manual
A native feature can differ from the plugin in details. If you rely on a specific option, read the linked entry before you uninstall.
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All plugins built into QGIS Plugin page for OpenLayers Plugin
