How to Transfer Google Maps Saved Places to Locus Map: Complete Guide

Locus Map is one of the most powerful outdoor navigation apps for Android, offering features that rival dedicated GPS devices. If you've been saving trailheads, campsites, and waypoints in Google Maps and want to bring them into Locus Map for serious outdoor use, you'll need to export and convert your data first.

This guide covers how to get your Google Maps saved places into Locus Map.

Why Locus Map?

Locus Map has earned a devoted following among hikers, geocachers, and outdoor professionals:

• Extensive map sources: Topographic maps, hiking maps, satellite imagery from dozens of providers
• True offline capability: Download maps and use without any data connection
• Advanced waypoint management: Folders, categories, custom icons, attachments
• Track recording: Detailed GPS logging with statistics
• Route planning: Create routes with elevation profiles
• Geocaching integration: Full support for geocaches
• Customization: Highly configurable interface and data handling
• Open format support: GPX, KML, and many other formats

Locus Map comes in free (Locus Map) and paid (Locus Map Pro) versions. Both support waypoint import.

What You'll Need

• Android phone with Locus Map installed
• Google account with saved places
• Computer (optional but helpful)
• File manager app on your phone

The Export Process

Google Maps and Locus Map don't communicate directly. Google Takeout exports give you CSV files without coordinates. You'll need to geocode your places and convert to GPX format for Locus Map to read them.

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

You'll find CSV files in the "Saved" folder - one for each of your lists.

2. Add Coordinates and Convert to GPX

The CSV files need geocoding (adding coordinates) and format conversion. A service like Takeout Tools handles both: upload your CSV files, select GPX as the output format, and download the result.

3. Transfer GPX to Your Phone

Get the GPX file onto your Android device:

• Email: Send to yourself and download on phone
• Cloud storage: Upload to Google Drive, Dropbox, etc., and download on phone
• USB: Connect phone to computer and copy directly
• Direct download: If you geocoded on your phone, the file is already there

4. Import into Locus Map

Method A: File Manager Import

1. Open your file manager app
2. Navigate to your GPX file
3. Tap the file
4. Select "Open with Locus Map" or share to Locus Map
5. Locus Map imports the waypoints automatically

Method B: Import from within Locus Map

1. Open Locus Map
2. Go to Menu (three lines) → More → Import
3. Browse to your GPX file location
4. Select the file
5. Choose import options (folder, category)
6. Tap Import

Method C: Locus Map Folder

1. Copy your GPX file to the Locus Map data folder
   • Usually: Internal storage/Locus/mapItems/
2. Open Locus Map
3. Go to Points (waypoint icon) → Folders
4. Your GPX file appears as a folder
5. Waypoints are ready to use

Method A is usually easiest. Method C gives you the most organization control.

Organizing Your Waypoints

Locus Map excels at waypoint organization:

Folders

Create folders to organize by type:

• Trailheads
• Campsites
• Water sources
• Viewpoints
• Emergency exits

Categories

Assign visual categories with custom icons:

1. Long-press a waypoint
2. Tap Edit
3. Choose a category or create new
4. Select an icon that makes sense

Bulk Operations

Locus Map supports bulk editing:

• Select multiple waypoints
• Move to folder together
• Assign same category
• Export subsets

Downloading Offline Maps

Your waypoints need maps to be useful. Download offline maps for your adventure areas:

1. Menu → Maps → select a map source
2. Tap the download icon
3. Draw the area you need
4. Select zoom levels (higher = more detail, more storage)
5. Download

Download maps while on WiFi - topographic maps can be large.

Advanced Import Options

KML Alternative

If GPX import has issues, try KML format:

1. Export from geocoding service as KML instead of GPX
2. Import follows the same process
3. Locus Map handles both formats well

Multiple Lists

For different Google Maps lists:

1. Export each list as a separate GPX file
2. Import into Locus Map with different folder names
3. Keeps your organization from Google Maps intact

Preserving Names and Notes

GPX files include:

• Waypoint name → Point title in Locus
• Description → Point description
• Coordinates → Location

Any notes or comments from Google Maps appear in the description if your geocoding service preserves them.

Locus Map vs Other Android Apps

Locus Map offers the most power and flexibility but takes time to learn. For simpler needs, OsmAnd or Organic Maps may be easier.

Pro Tips

1. Learn the folder system. Spend 10 minutes understanding how Locus Map organizes data. It pays off when you have hundreds of waypoints.

2. Set up map sources first. Configure your preferred map sources before importing waypoints. Online topo maps, offline caches, satellite - set up what you need.

3. Use the track recording. Beyond waypoints, Locus Map's track recording is excellent. Record your hikes to build your own trail database.

4. Download more maps than needed. Cell coverage disappears before you expect it. Download larger areas than your planned route.

5. Backup your Locus data. The Locus folder can be backed up entirely - waypoints, tracks, and settings. Copy it periodically.

6. Try the web planner. Locus Map has a web interface for route planning. Sometimes easier to plan on a big screen, then sync to phone.

Troubleshooting

Waypoints don't appear after import:

• Check the correct folder in Points view
• Verify the GPX file isn't corrupt (open in text editor to check)
• Try reimporting with a different method

Wrong locations:

• Geocoding found the wrong place (common with generic names)
• Verify coordinates in the GPX file match expected location
• Manually correct important waypoints in Locus Map

Import is very slow:

• Large GPX files (hundreds of waypoints) take time
• Let it complete without interrupting
• Consider splitting into smaller files

Custom icons not showing:

• Icons must be assigned after import
• GPX doesn't carry icon information between apps

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Locus Map work on iPhone?

No. Locus Map is Android-only. For iOS, consider Gaia GPS or OsmAnd (which does have an iOS version).

Free vs Pro - which do I need?

The free version supports GPX import. Pro adds features like multi-track recording, additional map sources, and no ads. For basic waypoint use, free works fine.

How many waypoints can Locus Map handle?

Thousands. Locus Map is designed for large datasets. Organization becomes more important than performance limits.

Can I export waypoints back out?

Yes. Long-press a folder → Export. Choose GPX or KML. Your data isn't locked in.

Does Locus Map work without cell service?

Completely - that's its core purpose. Download maps beforehand and everything works offline. GPS doesn't require cell service.

Can I sync between devices?

Locus Map has a sync feature for multiple Android devices. Requires account setup but works well once configured.

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Export for Locus Map

Convert saved places to GPX for outdoor navigation

Try Takeout Tools →

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Free Tools

Already have a GPX file? Use our free browser-based tools:

• GPX Validator - Check your GPX file for errors and data quality issues
• KML to GPX Converter - Convert Google Earth KML files to GPX
• GeoJSON to GPX Converter - Convert GeoJSON files to GPX

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See Other Export Guides

• How to Export Google Maps Saved Places as GPX
• How to Transfer Saved Places to OsmAnd
• How to Transfer Saved Places to Gaia GPS
• Best Offline Map Apps for Travel