How to view custom scanned maps on Android phone or tablet

This article will show you how to process offline maps and import them to any Android device.
Any map prepared with MapTiler Engine can be on an Android phone or tablet, even offline without an Internet connection. You can see your actual GPS position on the top of such a map. All you need is the MapTiler Engine and MapTiler Mobile app, optionally an account on MapTiler Cloud.

Important notice

Always make sure you are using the latest version of MapTiler Engine for optimal functionality of the product. Updating the OS on your mobile device to the latest version is also highly recommended.

Process your map in MapTiler Engine

Install the MapTiler Engine software on your desktop or laptop and run it. Choose Standard tiles. For devices with Retina Display, we strongly recommend turning on the HiDPI / Retina tiles option (available in MapTiler Engine Plus/Pro).

Drag and drop your scanned map inside the application and confirm the suggested coordinate system. If the image already contains a geographical location, it is assigned automatically. Otherwise, you can assign location visually, define the bounding box or load it from an external file. Read this tutorial to learn how to assign the location.

On the format picking screen, choose the Mobile device option. This will process your image for mobile devices.

Wait until your map is processed.

In the next step, upload your map to MapTiler Cloud. You have to interconnect your accounts first. Select a name and click on the Start Upload button.

The map is ready on MapTiler Cloud and can be opened directly with the MapTiler Mobile app.

Open your map on the mobile device

On your device, install the MapTiler Mobile app from Google Play and launch it by clicking on the icon.

In the MapTiler Mobile app, log in to your MapTiler Cloud account in Settings.

In Maps, select the map you prepared with MapTiler Engine and upload it to MapTiler Cloud.

Now you can use it as a base map, for collecting data, walk with GPS on top of it and use it offline.

Alternatively, you can save the map processed with MapTiler Engine to your computer, transfer it to your mobile phone and open in the MapTiler Mobile app in Maps → clicking on the “+ button” → “Local file” → Open “.MBTILES” on this device and browse for your map on your mobile phone.

Conclusion

Converting paper maps for offline use in Android devices can bring many benefits like increased portability, better readability, easy sharing, and the option of showing your exact GPS location on the map. In case your area of interest is not covered by any modern electronic map (highly unlikely), this article can help you master the process of making your old paper maps Android-friendly…

Useful links

Download MapTiler Engine
Android Version History