Lokimaps can add public map services that are not included in the built-in map catalog. You can use a WMS or WMTS source as a new base map, or place WMS, WMTS, and WFS data above another map as an overlay layer.

If you know what you want but do not know the service URL, Layer AI can search and validate a source for you.

For the distinction between your collection, selected maps, and visible overlay layers, start with Maps and layers.

Before you startBefore you start

Custom maps and layers require:

  • An active Lokimaps PRO subscription.
  • A public OGC WMS, WMTS, or WFS service reachable over HTTPS.
  • Either the service's GetCapabilities URL or its base service URL.
  • Permission to use the provider's data under its terms and licence.

Do not paste passwords, bearer tokens, private API keys, or confidential service URLs into Lokimaps or Layer AI.

Choose a base map or overlay layerChoose a base map or overlay layer

A base map replaces the current map background. Use this for complete cartography, imagery, geology, or another visual surface you want to navigate on. Custom base maps can use WMS or WMTS.

An overlay layer is drawn above the current base map. Use this for trails, zoning, avalanche areas, boundaries, points of interest, routes, weather, or other focused data. Overlays can use WMS, WMTS, or WFS.

WFS is always an overlay because it supplies geographic features rather than a complete rendered map.

Choose WMS, WMTS, or WFSChoose WMS, WMTS, or WFS

WMTS (Web Map Tile Service)WMTS (Web Map Tile Service)

WMTS provides pre-rendered image tiles at fixed zoom levels. It is usually the best-performing choice for visual maps and imagery when a provider offers a Web Mercator tile matrix.

Lokimaps can choose the service style, image format, TileMatrixSet, and service dimensions such as a date or map edition. It also shows the zoom range supplied by the service. WMTS can be used as a base map or an overlay.

WMS (Web Map Service)WMS (Web Map Service)

WMS asks the provider to render a map image for each requested area. It is common for government open-data portals and thematic maps whose appearance changes by style, date, or selected dataset.

Lokimaps can choose the style, image format, compatible coordinate reference system (CRS), tile size, and transparent background. WMS can be used as a base map or an overlay. It may feel slower than WMTS because the server renders images on demand.

WFS (Web Feature Service)WFS (Web Feature Service)

WFS returns inspectable vector features rather than map images. Lokimaps supports common Point, MultiPoint, LineString, MultiLineString, Polygon, and MultiPolygon geometry in compatible GeoJSON or GML/XML output.

Use WFS for trails, routes, facilities, boundaries, zones, and other objects whose attributes you want to inspect. You can choose the colour, opacity, line width, and whether every object gets an annotation. Select a feature on the map to show its callout, then open its details to read the attributes supplied by the provider.

WFS loads features for the visible map area and uses a default limit of 500 features per refresh. If a dense layer looks incomplete, zoom closer and keep Show annotations disabled unless individual labels are genuinely useful.

What a GetCapabilities URL isWhat a GetCapabilities URL is

GetCapabilities is an XML description published by an OGC map service. It tells Lokimaps which named maps, layers, or feature types exist and how to request them, including compatible formats, coordinate systems, styles, dimensions, coverage, and zoom levels.

A full address can look like this:

https://example.org/geoserver/wms?service=WMS&request=GetCapabilities

The shorter service address also works:

https://example.org/geoserver/wms

Lokimaps tries to add the correct GetCapabilities parameters automatically. Paste the actual service endpoint, not a web map portal page, an individual tile URL, or an ArcGIS viewer URL.

Add a source manuallyAdd a source manually

  1. Open Maps from the map controls.
  2. Under Maps, select Add map for a background map. Under Layers, select Add layer for an overlay.
  3. Select Add custom map or Add custom layer .
  4. On the Layer AI screen, select add manually below the request field.
  5. Paste the GetCapabilities URL or service base URL.
  6. Select Fetch. Lokimaps tries WMTS, then WMS, then WFS until it finds a compatible service.
  7. Choose one or more maps, layers, or WFS feature types. Each selected item is added separately.
  8. Open an item's details to review its source options and live preview.
  9. Select Add maps or Add layers.

The newly added base map becomes active. Newly added overlay layers are enabled above the current map.

Review source options before addingReview source options before adding

The provider controls which choices are available:

  • For WMTS, review the usage, style, image format, TileMatrixSet, dimensions, tile size, and zoom range.
  • For WMS, review the usage, style, image format, CRS, tile size, and transparent-background setting.
  • For WFS, review the feature type, colour, opacity, line width, annotations, attributes, and preview.

Seeing source data in the preview confirms that the current device could request and draw the selected source at that moment. A blank preview can still leave Add available when the service metadata is compatible, so check the visible data before saving. A successful preview does not prove that the data is accurate, current, complete, legally reusable, or suitable for safety-critical navigation.

Manage a custom sourceManage a custom source

Open the Actions menu beside a custom map or layer to use the available actions:

  • Rename changes the label shown in your collection.
  • Edit reopens the source settings, preview, style, or WFS display options.
  • Add layer from same source opens the same service catalog so you can choose another item without pasting the URL again.
  • The visibility control shows or hides the item without deleting it.
  • Collection editing lets you reorder or remove the item.

Removing a custom item deletes its saved configuration and local map-tile cache from this device. It does not change anything at the third-party provider.

Offline behaviorOffline behavior

Custom WMS and WMTS items cache imagery that you view, but they do not support Lokimaps Download area . WFS data is requested for the current viewport and kept only in a small temporary memory cache.

Treat custom services as online features. Do not depend on a custom map or layer without network coverage, even if part of it was visible earlier. Use built-in maps with explicit offline support for prepared offline trips.

Supported and unsupported servicesSupported and unsupported services

Lokimaps supports public HTTPS OGC WMS, WMTS, and WFS services with compatible Web Mercator map output or supported WFS coordinate systems and feature formats.

The custom-source flow does not currently support:

  • XYZ or TMS tile templates
  • Mapbox style URLs
  • Vector tile services
  • ArcGIS REST-only endpoints, although the same provider may expose a separate WMS, WMTS, or WFS endpoint
  • Private-network or localhost services are blocked by Layer AI and are not officially supported by manual setup
  • Services that require a login, custom authentication, or a private API key

Troubleshoot a custom map or layerTroubleshoot a custom map or layer

If Fetch finds no available items, confirm that the address is an HTTPS WMS, WMTS, or WFS service and that its GetCapabilities document opens without signing in. A service may be valid but use an unsupported projection, format, tile matrix, or request method.

If an added item is blank:

  1. Move inside the provider's documented coverage.
  2. Try another zoom level.
  3. Reopen Edit and check the selected style, format, CRS, TileMatrixSet, or transparency.
  4. Confirm that the provider's service is still online.
  5. For a dense WFS layer, zoom closer and disable annotations.

Third-party services can change or disappear without a Lokimaps update. If the source URL no longer works, remove it and add the provider's current service. See Troubleshooting and support if the same failure continues with several known public services.