Gaia GPS includes a wide variety of map sources. This article will show you how to use the Map Sources menu, add a new map source, swap to a different map source, and delete a map source.
Note: You need a Membership or Premium Membership to view map sources other than Gaia Topo.
The Map Sources Menu
Tap the Layers icon to open the Map Sources menu:
This is the Map Sources menu:
The Map Sources menu is broken into three sections:
- Map Overlay - this sub-menu will allow you to adjust how your Saved data is displayed on the main map
- Active map source - this source is currently displayed on the main map
- Inactive map sources - these sources can be selected to change your active source
Note: If you have a Premium Membership, your Map Sources menu might look slightly different if map layering is enabled. Click here to learn how to layer map sources, or learn more about Premium Membership here.
Change your Active Map Source
Changing map sources is one of the most powerful features of Gaia GPS. The Map Sources menu allows you to swap between multiple sources quickly and easily. Here's how:
Tap the Layers icon to open the Map Sources Menu:
Tap on an inactive map source to swap it to the active source:
The Map Sources menu will close and the newly selected map source will be displayed:
Add more Map Sources
We now know how to swap between sources from our Map Sources menu. But what if I want even more maps than the ones in my sources list?
You can add additional map sources like this:
Tap on the Layers icon:
Tap + Add map layers at the bottom of the list:
Select a category that fits your needs:
Select a map source:
You can preview and read about each source from its details screen here.
Add it to your Map Source Menu by tapping the "(+) Add" button:
The "(+) Add" button will change to a "(x) Remove" button after adding the source successfully.
Tap the back arrow three times to return to the Map Source Menu.
You can see the source you added is now listed here:
Select it to make it your new active map source.
You can think about the Map Sources menu like bookmarks in a web browser. Adding a source "pins" it to your Map Sources menu for quick access. You can add as many sources as you like.
Remove a Map Source
Map Sources menu getting too cluttered? You can remove any map source from your Map Sources menu.
Note: Removing a map source will also delete any downloads you have saved using that map source.
Also Note: If you are a Premium member using Layered Maps, follow these steps instead: How to Add, Adjust, and Download Layered Maps.
To remove a map source from the Map Sources menu:
Tap on the Layers icon:
Swipe the source left to remove it:
Alternatively, you can remove a map source from your layers list by navigating to the Map Source Categories.
On the layers list, tap + Add map layers:
Navigate to the map source you'd like to remove.
Tap the name of the map.
Tap the red "(x) Remove" button:
Comments
6 comments
By "Manage" I'd think that would mean, Add, Organize, and Delete. This article covers Adding and Organizing map data but I haven't found anything about deleting tiles once they are no longer needed.
Also, There is no discussion about where the maps are stored - that is, are they "attached" the the Gaia app so if I delete the Gaia app, its maps will go away too.
This is an issue because of your new version. I was told that in order to get my current maps into the new version, I first had to synch/save them up to your cloud, then download/import/synch them to the new version.
Which I've done - so the question is, do I now have duplicate maps on my iPad - one set for the old Gaia GPS app and a duplicate set for the New Gaia GPS app?
I would expect a "Manage your Maps" topic would answer that.
Hi,
I think you might be confusing map sources and map downloads.
Once you download a map, you can find it in your saved menu.
Here is how to delete saved data: https://help.gaiagps.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003638388-Deleting-Archiving-Data-
The maps are saved in the app, but if you 'sync' your data to the web, they are backed-up there -- that is how you can share them across multiple devices, or recover them if something happens to your iPad.
The website is like the master plan for all of your data -- so there won't be a duplicate of your maps and it is just sharing the same map to both devices.
Is it possible to add a layer of a shape file? I work for a land trust and want to have the shape file of a protected property (or one that's about to be conserved) to compare the boundaries with my tracks and waypoints.
@CourtneyDragiff
Yes, it is possible to use a shapefile to build a custom map and then import it into Gaia GPS. You will need to use a third party software called Mapbox Studio to host your map. Check out this article to learn more about importing custom maps: https://help.gaiagps.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003639948-Import-Maps-Data-with-Mapbox-Studio.
If you have any questions about creating a custom map from the shapefile, please feel free to contact me at support@gaiagps.com.
I am not sure if this is how I ask questions but when I try to use a satellite view of an area and I zoom in in automatically changes back to the map view rather than satellite. Is this just a function of the app? I am using the app on an IPhone 7.
Thanks
Dave
@huston_6
Please check your email for more information on this.
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