Exporting and sharing map features and custom maps

Custom maps can be exported and shared with other devices using Avenza Maps.  At this time exporting custom maps for use in other software or applications or exporting Map Store maps is not available.  Sharing custom maps is done using the respective platforms' native sharing function (Nearby Share for Android, or AirDrop for iOS) and may be subject to limitations set by the platform and/or operating system and not Avenza Maps.  More details can be found below.

Map features, such as placemarks, tracks,  lines, and areas can be exported for use in another device or GIS software, or as a way to backup data by storing it outside of the device itself.  

Users can export map features directly from a map (one map at a time), or export all features at once from the Layers tab.

Supported export formats for map features

Currently, the following formats are supported for exporting map features:

• KML/KMZ (placemarks, lines, tracks, and areas)
• Shapefile* (placemarks, lines, tracks, and areas)
• CSV (placemarks only)
• GPX (placemarks, lines, and tracks)

*Shapefiles require a Pro Subscription, as well as the appropriate files combined together in a ZIP folder in order to successfully import (.shp, .shx, .prj, and .dbf)

Export settings

You can export with the following options:

• Filename - By default this will use the name of the map but can be changed to something more appropriate if required
• Export Format
• Data - This section lets you specify whether to export all the features, schema only, or specific features/layers using the Custom option.
• Media Size - This option is valid for data that has images attached to it, and if the appropriate data type is selected (KML/KMZ, or Shapefile*).  The Media Size options available are:
• No Image
• Small
• Medium
• Large

• Export - This option will export the data using the settings you designated

*Shapefiles require a Pro Subscription, as well as the appropriate files combined together in a ZIP folder in order to successfully import (.shp, .shx, .prj, and .dbf).

Export options

Map Features and layers can be exported using many of the same methods used when importing features.  Some of the options include:

• AirDrop (iOS) / Nearby Share (Android)
• Local device storage
• Cloud storage
• Email

Please note that we are aware of issues with Microsoft's OneDrive and Outlook services that may cause problems.  For more information on this issue, please see the article here.

Exporting map features

To export map features, first navigate to the Map Layers menu or the Layers tab:

Android

1. Tap
2. Choose the applicable export settings (see above for details on each setting)
• To export specific features or layers, please use the Custom option under the heading “Data”
• To export schema only, please select this option under the heading “Data”
3. Tap Export to export the data

iOS

1. Tap
2. Choose where you'll export the files to:
• Export to Others: export the files to e-mail or cloud storage apps you have on your device.
• AirDrop: export the files directly to Avenza on another iOS device. NOTE: For iOS devices to only other iOS devices, custom imported maps can also be shared this way via AirDrop. Differing operating systems or app versions may affect this ability.
3. Choose the applicable export settings (see above for details on each setting)
• To export specific features or layers, please use the Custom option under the heading “Data”
• To export schema only, please select this option under the heading “Data”
4. Tap Export to export the data

Android

iOS

 

If you click on all features under the Data heading, you can choose to export all of the features associated with your current map, make a custom selection of those features or export Schema only without features.

Android

iOS

 

Sharing Custom Maps

As mentioned earlier, custom maps can be shared on both Android and iOS devices using the platform's respective file-sharing software (Nearby Share for Android devices, and AirDrop for iOS devices).  Because this functionality is using the device's native sharing software, there are limitations and restrictions that may be outside of Avenza's control.   

To share maps with another device/user there are a few factors to keep in mind:

• sharing can only be done with custom maps and data
• in most cases, custom maps and data can both be shared at the same time, but there may be cases where the device limits this ability.  There are workarounds in place for this, detailed below
• the share methods are unique to the platform, specific device, and operating system being used.  Not all devices support file-sharing via AirDrop or Nearby Sharing
• there is no cross-platform sharing at this time.  iOS users can only share with iOS users, and Android users can only share with Android users
• iOS users must be using the same version of Avenza Maps, the same operating system, and the same device language settings in order for AirDrop to work
• for Android users, the device doing the sharing must be using at least Avenza Maps version 4.2, but the receiving device can be an older version of the app, or operating system provided the device supports Nearby Share
• Nearby Share is only on Android devices using Android 6.0 or higher

Android

1. From the My Maps List tap to the right of a custom map
2. Select 'Share'
3. Select Nearby Share and follow the remaining prompts to select the receiving device
4. Receiving device receives the file and automatically imports it into Avenza Maps

        

iOS

1. From the My Maps List tap to the right of a custom map
2. Select 'Share'
3. Select AirDrop and follow the remaining prompts to select the receiving device
4. Receiving device receives the file and automatically imports it into Avenza Maps