Troubleshooting why kml files were not loading in mapping apps

[motero99]

I have spent a lot of time reading and rereading the various threads on loading kml files into mapping apps. I just could not get anything to load into my iPhone 12. The issue was that after the files downloaded, I was not getting an option like "Open with", and if I pressed down on the files, they opened as text. One thing I had overlooked was changing browsers. I had been using Safari, and tried the downloading the Dutch Fraternity files with Chrome. I saw the small print option to download and later the open with. Success. That worked for Maps.me. I then tried downloading the files for Organic Maps. Not sure what would happened to Maps.me if I downloaded the files to Organic Maps (with something is working, I didn't want to screw it up), I downloaded the files to my computer and renamed them to include the name of the mapping app. The Dutch KML file has Maps.me in the name which gave me the idea. In this case I emailed them to myself. When I tried to download them, I found two things. The iPhone seemed to be sensitive to how I touched it. A light tap would open as a text, a heavy push would open a text and also a menu. Scrolling the menu I found the Share option (square with an arrow coming out of the top). Below the list of people I usually text to was a row of apps. Selecting the app would then download it. I think the confusion was caused by the different outcome from how I tapped, and at some point, probably around the time the iPhone 12 came out, Apple changed the wording. Share does not mean download to an app, but I guess it does to them. Hope this helps someone.

 

[C clearly]

Well, it illustrates how the "fiddling around" approach to computer and phone apps is often the solution. In doing the fiddling, one usually learns something useful (like try a different touch/tap) but not quite enough to replicate! The next time you learn a little more, and eventually (if you are persistent) you put all the pieces together

I have spent many hours getting my Organic Maps set up. Previously I used Maps.me but I didn't like their recent changes. Since I have an Android, I have a bit more control over the file management options than you do with an i-phone (at least that is my impression).

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Technically KML files ARE text files but the text is written in a format that some apps know how to read, much like browsers can read HTML files.

See if your download hasn't changed the .kml suffix to .txt. If so change it to .kml. The download may possibly have appended a .txt to the .kml suffix. If so then rename the file to remove the .txt suffix.

 

[motero99]

Files still had .kml suffix. The key seemed to be how I touched them if they were downloaded via email. I think it is the same issue if I download via Safari. A hard touch will bring up the file and menu. Just have to scroll down to find Sharing also means install when you select an app. Overall I found Chrome to be more intuitive. Interestingly enough, I forgot to install maps after reinstalling maps.me. Installed the kml files berfore maps. When I installed maps, both kml files showed up, route and allergies.
I installed Organic files months ago and gave up installing the kml files. When I went to it yesterday, It showed updates for my installed map files. I liked that. Don't know if Maps.me does that.

 

[Josefus]

Some geo apps do not accept .kml files. Check if your app does. If this is not the case for you transfer the file to the .gpx format.
Background: .kml is a proprietary Google solution which may imply copyright questions. .gpx is an open .xml variant with a specific grammar for geographic data (and the plain text is more or less readable for humans).
You will find some apps or web services for the translation in the internet.

 

[C clearly]

Check if your app does.

The OP refers to Maps.me and OrganicMaps, both of which use KML files. But this is a good point to remember for people looking into other apps.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Background: .kml is a proprietary Google solution which may imply copyright questions.

A wiki at the Open Street Map website says:

KML stands for Keyhole Markup Language. It is an open standard now overseen by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC), but it originated as the native format of Google Earth — originally Keyhole Inc., hence the name. KML is an XML format. KMZ is a KML file archived with Zip compression.

KML - OpenStreetMap Wiki

wiki.openstreetmap.org

 

[Thomas1962]

On Iphones it is sometimes indeed more difficult to download the kml files into an app.
On the site of the Dutch Confranternity of Saint James there is a special manual for I phones. It is in Dutch but i suppose you can translate it.

https://www.santiago.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/GPS-iphone.pdf

If this doesn't work: in OrganicMaps (OM) there is (other them in maps.me) also a feature that from the app itself you can import kml files. It works as follows:
- first dowload the kml file you want on your phone, and find out the exact folder where the file is stored
- click on the star below the basic screen in OM
- click on here you should see the downloads so far, scroll if needed to the bottum and click on 'import bookmarks'
- go to the folder and file which you downloaded before

Hope this works. Please let me know if it does or not.

 

[motero99]

Thomas - Thank you for replying. I guess my post was not clear, my apologies for that. I did find multiple solutions. I posted them in case others had my problem. They basically boil down to the iPhone is sensitive to how you touch something, so how you touch a downloaded file. In my case, a light touch opened the file. A hard touch opened the file and added a menu. Unfortunately the menu command Sharing actually let you associate a downloaded file with an app. I was expecting something else based on old threads on this topic. Lastly, Chrome was more intuitive than Safari for downloads and actions with the download. I will use it in the future when downloading kml files to my phone.

 

[Thomas1962]

Thomas - Thank you for replying. I guess my post was not clear, my apologies for that. I did find multiple solutions. I posted them in case others had my problem. They basically boil down to the iPhone is sensitive to how you touch something, so how you touch a downloaded file. In my case, a light touch opened the file. A hard touch opened the file and added a menu. Unfortunately the menu command Sharing actually let you associate a downloaded file with an app. I was expecting something else based on old threads on this topic. Lastly, Chrome was more intuitive than Safari for downloads and actions with the download. I will use it in the future when downloading kml files to my phone.

Ho Morero, when I read your first message again it was completely clear that you did find the solution. It was all my 'trying to read too fast'.

 

[jjmap]

Greetings!

1. Sorry still have trouble to import .KML or .KMZ file to maps.me.

I copied the .KML files to Maps.me directory on my Samsung Android phone, but when click on "Share" or "Open", maps.me is not one of the options to open the file.

2. How do I access the bookmark menu on Maps.me? (I used to be able to go to the bookmark menu and click on import KML file, but now I can not even see the maps.me bookmark menu.)

Thanks!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

. How do I access the bookmark menu on Maps.me? (I used to be able to go to the bookmark menu and click on import KML file, but now I can not even see the maps.me bookmark menu.)

I clicked on Favorites at the bottom and a pop-up titled Bookmarks came up. I don't have any so I'm no further help.

 

[C clearly]

How do I access the bookmark menu on Maps.me?

I think that a couple of years ago, Maps.me made some changes to how the bookmarks work. That is why I have changed over to Organic Maps.

 

[geraldkelly]

I compiled a set of instructions for this here. It might be useful to someone.

Camino Guide - the Free Guide to the Camino de Santiago

Camino Guide - the Free Guide to the Camino de Santiago

www.caminoguide.net

 

[Thomas1962]

I compiled a set of instructions for this here. It might be useful to someone.

Camino Guide - the Free Guide to the Camino de Santiago

Camino Guide - the Free Guide to the Camino de Santiago

www.caminoguide.net

Hi Gerald,
Great resource!
Just one thing: as far as I know maps.me itself is not an open source app.
Please consider to recommend organic maps. It is made by the original makers of maps.me, looks the same in many ways, but not commercial, open source and with no trackers. For me the perfect replacement for maps.me.