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How to Transfer Google Maps Saved Places to HERE WeGo: Complete Guide

Import your Google Maps saved places into HERE WeGo for offline navigation. Step-by-step guide for GPX export and import.

January 31, 2026

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6 min read

HERE WeGo (formerly Nokia Here Maps) offers some of the best offline navigation available, with detailed maps covering over 100 countries. If you've been saving places in Google Maps but want the reliability of HERE's offline-first approach, you can bring your saved locations with you.

This guide covers how to export your Google Maps saved places and import them into HERE WeGo.

What HERE WeGo Offers

HERE WeGo has earned a loyal following, particularly among international travelers and those in areas with spotty cell coverage:

  • Complete offline maps: Download entire countries, not just routes
  • Offline navigation: Turn-by-turn directions without data
  • Public transit: Detailed transit information in major cities
  • Traffic information: Real-time and predictive traffic (when online)
  • Multi-modal routing: Car, transit, bike, and walking directions
  • Free to use: No subscription required for core features

HERE's mapping data comes from decades of professional cartography (originally for automotive GPS systems), giving it excellent road coverage worldwide.

Why Import Your Google Maps Places?

If you've accumulated years of saved restaurants, hotels, attractions, and waypoints in Google Maps, importing them into HERE WeGo lets you:

  • Access your places offline in areas without cell service
  • Navigate to saved locations using HERE's routing
  • Keep your travel planning in one reliable app
  • Avoid roaming charges by staying offline abroad

The Export Process

Google Maps and HERE WeGo don't sync directly. You'll need to export your places from Google, add coordinates (which Takeout exports lack), and convert to a format HERE can read.

1. Export from Google Takeout

  1. Go to Google Takeout
  2. Click "Deselect all"
  3. Scroll down and select only "Saved"
  4. Click "Next step" → "Create export"
  5. Wait for the email, download, and unzip

Your saved places are in CSV files within the "Saved" folder.

2. Add Coordinates and Convert

Google Takeout exports don't include coordinates - just names and addresses. A service like Takeout Tools geocodes your places (adds coordinates) and converts to GPX or KML format that HERE WeGo can import.

3. Import into HERE WeGo

HERE WeGo supports importing places through its Collections feature:

Via HERE WeGo Mobile App:

  1. Open HERE WeGo on your phone
  2. Tap the menu (three lines) → Collections
  3. Look for an import option or tap "+" to add
  4. Select your GPX/KML file from your device
  5. Places appear in a new collection

Via HERE WeGo Web:

  1. Go to wego.here.com
  2. Sign into your HERE account
  3. Access Collections from the menu
  4. Import your file
  5. Sync to mobile by signing into the same account

Note: HERE WeGo's import capabilities vary by platform and version. The web interface sometimes offers more import options than the mobile app.

Alternative: Manual Addition If direct import isn't working, you can use your exported coordinates to manually add places:

  1. Open your GPX file in a text editor to see coordinates
  2. In HERE WeGo, search for each location or long-press on the map
  3. Save to a collection

This is tedious for large lists but works reliably.

Working with Collections

After import, organize your places using HERE's Collections:

  • Create themed collections: Restaurants, Hotels, Must-See, etc.
  • Download for offline: Each collection can be saved offline
  • Share collections: Send collections to travel companions
  • Sync across devices: Sign in to access everywhere

Collections sync between the app and web when you're signed into your HERE account.

Offline Map Tips

The main reason to use HERE WeGo is offline capability. Maximize it:

  1. Download before you go: Get maps while on WiFi
  2. Download entire regions: Not just city centers - include surrounding areas
  3. Check map freshness: Update downloaded maps periodically
  4. Include your places: Make sure collections are downloaded, not just base maps

HERE stores offline maps separately from collections, so download both.

Limitations to Know

HERE WeGo isn't as full-featured as some alternatives:

  • Import support: Can be inconsistent across versions
  • Place details: Less business information than Google Maps
  • Reviews/photos: Minimal compared to Google
  • Search: Better with coordinates than vague place names

For detailed business information, you may still check Google Maps. For reliable navigation, especially offline, HERE WeGo excels.

Pro Tips

  1. Test import before travel. Try importing a few places first. If it doesn't work smoothly, you'll have time to troubleshoot or manually add critical locations.

  2. Use KML for richer data. If GPX import fails, try KML format instead. Different apps handle different formats better.

  3. Create separate collections by trip. Rather than one massive list, organize by destination or trip. Easier to download specific areas.

  4. Verify coordinates for critical places. Your hotel, meeting locations, or important waypoints - double-check these landed correctly.

  5. Download maps larger than needed. Cell coverage often drops before you expect it. Download more map area than you think you'll need.

  6. Keep Google Maps as backup. For searching new places or checking reviews, Google Maps still has better data. Use HERE for offline navigation, Google for discovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HERE WeGo completely free?

Yes. Core features including offline maps and navigation are free. No subscription required.

Does HERE WeGo work worldwide?

HERE has maps for over 100 countries with offline download available for most. Coverage is excellent in North America, Europe, and major cities globally. More remote areas may have less detail than Google Maps.

Can I import hundreds of places?

Collections have limits (typically around 100-200 items). For large imports, split into multiple collections by category or region.

Will my places sync between phone and tablet?

Yes, if you sign into your HERE account on both devices. Collections sync automatically when online.

What if import doesn't work?

HERE's import features vary by version. Try the web interface if mobile doesn't work. As a fallback, use the coordinates from your GPX file to manually search and save critical locations.

Can I export places back out of HERE WeGo?

Limited export options. HERE is primarily an import destination. Keep your original GPX files as backup.

How does HERE WeGo compare to OsmAnd or Maps.me?

HERE has more polished navigation and better driving directions. OsmAnd and Maps.me offer more customization and are fully open-source. For straightforward offline car navigation, HERE often wins on usability.

Export for HERE WeGo

Convert saved places for offline navigation

Try Takeout Tools →

Free Tools

Have GPX or KML files? Use our free browser-based tools:

See Other Export Guides