Where Does Avenza Maps Store Offline Maps?
Avenza Maps geospatial PDFs, offline map cache and account sync on mobile.
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Avenza Maps imports geospatial PDFs into app private storage for offline GPS navigation, with the store library, collections and account syncing the catalog. Imported maps are the prized files; store downloads refetch any time.
Waypoints, tracks, photos and map features attach per map inside the app. Exports (GPX, KML, shapefile) go to Files or share targets as real files. Reinstalls restore store maps on login while sideloaded imports need reimporting from the originals.
Where Avenza Maps stores this, by platform
App-private storage (imported and store maps) plus GPX exports in Files
Import geospatial PDFs from storage, cloud or the map store. Offline tiles cache per map for backcountry. Back up original PDFs separately; the app cache is not an archive.
App sandbox (imported and store maps) plus GPX exports in Files
Same model on iPhone and iPad with background GPS. Deleting the app clears imported maps and features; store purchases restore. Export tracks before wiping.
Frequently asked questions
how do I back up Avenza custom maps
Keep the source geospatial PDFs outside the app and export tracks as GPX regularly. Store bought maps redownload from the account. The app cache alone is not a backup.
do Avenza maps work fully offline
Yes once imported or downloaded, with on-device GPS needing no signal. Preload map areas on Wi-Fi before trips. Account sync needs connectivity but navigation does not.
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