diff --git a/OsmAnd/res/values/strings.xml b/OsmAnd/res/values/strings.xml
index 9274f4b88b..683f223088 100644
--- a/OsmAnd/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/OsmAnd/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
          3. All your modified/created strings are in the top of the file (to make easier find what\'s translated).
     PLEASE: Have a look at http://code.google.com/p/osmand/wiki/UIConsistency, it may really improve your and our work  :-)  Thx - Hardy
     -->
+    <string name="tap_on_map_to_hide_interface_descr">Pressing anywhere on the map hides the interface and toggles the full screen mode.</string>
+    <string name="tap_on_map_to_hide_interface">Tap on map to hide interface</string>
     <string name="show_on_top_bar">Show on Top Bar</string>
     <string name="mark_passed">Mark passed</string>
     <string name="import_gpx_file_description">can be imported as Favorites points, or as track file.</string>
diff --git a/OsmAnd/src/net/osmand/plus/OsmandSettings.java b/OsmAnd/src/net/osmand/plus/OsmandSettings.java
index 9c8fcf4d5e..f9f2980b75 100644
--- a/OsmAnd/src/net/osmand/plus/OsmandSettings.java
+++ b/OsmAnd/src/net/osmand/plus/OsmandSettings.java
@@ -902,6 +902,8 @@ public class OsmandSettings {
 	public final OsmandPreference<Boolean> DO_NOT_USE_ANIMATIONS = new BooleanPreference("do_not_use_animations", false).makeGlobal().cache();
 	public final OsmandPreference<Boolean> DO_NOT_SEND_ANONYMOUS_APP_USAGE = new BooleanPreference("do_not_send_anonymous_app_usage", false).makeGlobal().cache();
 
+	public final OsmandPreference<Boolean> HIDE_INTERFACE_AFTER_TAP_ON_MAP = new BooleanPreference("hide_interface_after_tap_on_map", true).makeGlobal().cache();
+
 
 	public final CommonPreference<Float> TEXT_SCALE = new FloatPreference("text_scale", 1f).makeProfile().cache();
 
diff --git a/OsmAnd/src/net/osmand/plus/activities/SettingsGeneralActivity.java b/OsmAnd/src/net/osmand/plus/activities/SettingsGeneralActivity.java
index 3ccdba5893..0c198ae9eb 100644
--- a/OsmAnd/src/net/osmand/plus/activities/SettingsGeneralActivity.java
+++ b/OsmAnd/src/net/osmand/plus/activities/SettingsGeneralActivity.java
@@ -496,6 +496,7 @@ public class SettingsGeneralActivity extends SettingsBaseActivity implements OnR
 		misc.addPreference(createCheckBoxPreference(settings.DO_NOT_SHOW_STARTUP_MESSAGES, R.string.do_not_show_startup_messages, R.string.do_not_show_startup_messages_desc));
 		misc.addPreference(createCheckBoxPreference(settings.DO_NOT_USE_ANIMATIONS, R.string.do_not_use_animations, R.string.do_not_use_animations_descr));
 		misc.addPreference(createCheckBoxPreference(settings.USE_MAGNETIC_FIELD_SENSOR_COMPASS, R.string.use_magnetic_sensor, R.string.use_magnetic_sensor_descr));
+		misc.addPreference(createCheckBoxPreference(settings.HIDE_INTERFACE_AFTER_TAP_ON_MAP, R.string.tap_on_map_to_hide_interface, R.string.tap_on_map_to_hide_interface_descr));
 	}
 
 
diff --git a/OsmAnd/src/net/osmand/plus/views/ContextMenuLayer.java b/OsmAnd/src/net/osmand/plus/views/ContextMenuLayer.java
index 972f862fb9..c795066703 100644
--- a/OsmAnd/src/net/osmand/plus/views/ContextMenuLayer.java
+++ b/OsmAnd/src/net/osmand/plus/views/ContextMenuLayer.java
@@ -811,7 +811,7 @@ public class ContextMenuLayer extends OsmandMapLayer {
 
 		boolean processed = hideVisibleMenues();
 		processed |= menu.onSingleTapOnMap();
-		if (!processed) {
+		if (!processed && activity.getMyApplication().getSettings().HIDE_INTERFACE_AFTER_TAP_ON_MAP.get()) {
 			activity.getMapLayers().getMapControlsLayer().switchMapControlsVisibility(true);
 		}
 		return false;