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--- manual:user_guide:maps_external [2025/10/21 11:32] – mstupka
+++ manual:user_guide:maps_external [2026/04/09 16:14] (current) – mstupka
@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 ----
-**Locus Map** can also work with **external offline maps** acquired from other sources - PC software, cartography publishers, and other map providers. It is necessary to **copy these maps into your phone's memory or on an SD card**.
+**Locus Map** can also work with **external offline maps** acquired from other sources - PC software, cartography publishers, and other map providers. The easiest way to get the maps into the app is to **import** them.
-===== Adding external maps =====
+===== Import map =====
-There are a few options for where to put the map files:
+You can import a map file from both Locus Map and from any file browser.
-==== Locus/Maps directory ====
+==== Map manager ====
-The default directory for the raster maps. You can add your maps here in several ways:
-  * **Import** - open the Import screen from the **[[manual:user_guide:maps_mmanager#adding1|Map Manager]]** or **[[manual:user_guide:my_library#import|My Library]]**, **find** the map file in your device storage and **confirm**
-  * **Tap & add** - open a system or any third-party file manager on your device, find the map file you want to add, and **tap it**. Locus Map is offered as one of the apps to load the file. **Select it**.
-==== Android/Media directory ====
+  * open the **[[maps_mmanager|Map Manager]]**
-=== Raster maps ===
+  * tap **+** and select **Import map**
+  * choose from a selection of **available drives**
+  * choose the **map file** to import (unsupported files are greyed out):\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:ext_maps02.gif?nolink |}}
+==== File browser ====
+  * find the map file in your **local storage**
+  * long-press its name and select **open** or **send to**
+  * **choose Locus Map** from the list of available apps
+  * **confirm** importing the map file:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:ext_maps03.gif?nolink |}}
+<WRAP center round info>
+**Import** of the map files stores them into the **[[.:settings:backup_fsys#set_the_main_directory|default map directory]]** of the app.
+</WRAP>
+===== Manual adding to the map directory =====
+Another option is to add the map files manually. Choose this if you need to insert **multiple map files, vector maps or map themes**. The files can be inserted into the /Android/Media directory:
+==== Raster maps ====
   * maps in //SQLiteDB, MBT, Gemf// etc. formats
   * ///Android/Media/menion.android.locus/Maps// directory. It is placed both in the internal storage and on the external SD card so if you want to save some space in your internal storage, use the latter.
   * **Copy** the map files into this directory via a system or third-party file manager
   * **Restart** Locus Map
-=== Vector maps ===
+==== Vector maps ====
   * maps in //.map// format, //.db// POI databases
   * ///Android/Media/menion.android.locus/MapsVector// directory. It is placed both in the internal storage and on the external SD card, so if you want to save some space in your internal storage, use the latter.
@@ Line 23: / Line 35: @@
   * **Restart** Locus Map
 <WRAP center round important>
-** themes can change vector maps' appearance**. The theme files must be placed in the default //Locus/MapsVector// directory. **OpenAndroMaps themes** - download them directly from their [[https://www.openandromaps.org/kartenlegende/elevation-hike-theme|website]], they'll be imported to the right place by the app.
+**Map themes can change vector maps' appearance**. The theme files must be placed in the default //Locus/MapsVector// directory. **OpenAndroMaps themes** - download them directly from their [[https://www.openandromaps.org/kartenlegende/elevation-hike-theme|website]], they'll be imported to the right place by the app.
 </WRAP>
+<WRAP center round tip>
+**Maps stored in one (sub)folder are automatically merged.** Both as areas and zooms, i.e. you can go freely from one map to another, from one zoom in one map to another zoom in a different map without the need to switch between them manually. If you want to add external maps to Locus without merging them, store them in individual subfolders and then add them one by one.
+</WRAP>
 ==== Free choice of storage ====
-<WRAP center round important>
+<WRAP center round info>
 **This option is available only in Android versions 5 - 10.**
 </WRAP>
@@ Line 37: / Line 53: @@
   * the map emerges in the Map manager Offline tab in a folder named after the map file's parent directory. The directory appears as a **new folder** below, the default Maps folder **[[manual:user_guide:maps_offline|Offline tab]]**.
-<WRAP center round tip>
+<WRAP center round important>
-  * **Maps stored in one (sub)folder are automatically merged.** Both as areas and zooms, i.e. you can go freely from one map to another, from one zoom in one map to another zoom in a different map without the need to switch between them manually. If you want to add external maps to Locus without merging them, store them in individual subfolders and then add them one by one.
+**Do NOT add the native /Locus/Maps/ directory as an external folder** - there is no need to do so, and the app will display an error message.
-  * **Do NOT add the native /Locus/Maps/ directory as an external folder** - there is no need to do so, and the app will display an error message.
 </WRAP>

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