An image layer places your own image above the map in Lokimaps. Use a scanned paper map, a photographed trail map, an event map, or another image with places you can recognise on the real map.

You match exactly four reference point pairs: a landmark in the image and the same place on the map. Lokimaps uses these pairs to position the image and correct perspective, including a flat map photographed at an angle.

Lokimaps PRO is required to add, display, and edit image layers. Your saved layers stay on the device if PRO access expires; renew or restore access to use them again.

Choose a suitable imageChoose a suitable image

Choose a clear image of a flat map with recognisable landmarks spread across it. Road junctions, bridges, and distinct shoreline features work well. Avoid using four places along the same road or clustered in one small area.

JPEG, PNG, and HEIC images are supported. PDF files are not supported. Images can be up to 48 megapixels, no more than 16,384 pixels on either side, and no larger than 256 MB. Available device memory can impose a lower limit.

Lokimaps retains a full-resolution, uncropped copy for the layer. The original in Photos or Files is unchanged. Perspective correction works on a flat surface; it cannot straighten a folded or curved map.

Choose the imageChoose the image

  1. Open Maps from the map controls.
  2. Under Layers, select Add layer .
  3. Select Add image layer . If PRO is not active, Lokimaps shows the PRO screen before offering image sources.
  4. Select Choose from Photos , Choose from Files , or Take photo . Camera access requires permission.
  5. Choose or take an image. The introduction shows your selected image and explains the matching process.
  6. Select Continue when you are ready to match landmarks.

Optional automatic suggestionsOptional automatic suggestions

After you choose an image, Lokimaps automatically analyzes it. When available, the results suggest starting points in the image, a map location, and a layer name.

The status below Continue shows when analysis is running or complete. You can continue immediately: analysis keeps running while you match landmarks. Completion does not guarantee that suggestions were found, and you can complete the process manually without them.

Suggestions only help position the views and fill the default name. They never add reference points automatically. Positions you have already adjusted and a name you have edited take precedence over later suggestions. Always check that each pair refers to the same place.

Match four landmarksMatch four landmarks

The Match landmarks view shows your image above the map. Each pane has a cursor at its centre, and you can pan and zoom them independently.

  1. Choose a clear landmark near the top-left of the image.
  2. Move the image until that landmark sits under its cursor. Move the map until the same real-world place sits under the map cursor.
  3. Select Add in the header to save the pair at the two cursor positions.
  4. Repeat near the top-right, bottom-right, and bottom-left of the image, following the guidance above the panes.
  5. After all four pairs are added, check the matches and select Finish.

The circle beside the guidance fills one quarter for each added pair. Its next quarter pulses to indicate the next suggested corner, and a checkmark appears when all four pairs are present. The image moves towards the next corner or a suggested starting point; you still choose the exact landmark and add the pair yourself.

If two points are too close together, Lokimaps prevents adding the pair. The alert tells you whether to move the image, the map, or both. Spread the landmarks across the image for a more reliable result.

Adjust the views or a saved pairAdjust the views or a saved pair

  • Select Rotate image at the lower left of the image pane to turn it counterclockwise.
  • Select Change map at the lower left of the map pane to choose a different map or visible layers. This selector does not add or edit maps and layers.
  • Tap a numbered marker to centre both panes on that pair.
  • Hold and drag a marker in either pane to change that end of the pair. You can hold near the edge of the marker's circle to keep your finger clear of the landmark.
  • Tap away from a marker to deselect it. Add always creates a new pair at the cursors while fewer than four pairs exist; it does not update a selected pair.

Returning from matching to the introduction asks whether to discard any added points. To leave that confirmation without discarding them, tap outside it.

Name and save the layerName and save the layer

After Finish, the Image layer details screen provides:

  • Name: replace the default or suggested layer name. A blank name cannot be saved.
  • A preview of the aligned image above Apple's street map.
  • Opacity: starts at 100%. Lower it to see the map through the image.
  • Crop image: trim unwanted borders or rotate the image. Drag the crop edges, then finish the crop to return to the preview.

Select Save to retain the image and alignment, add the layer to your collection, and show it on the main map. Changes made before this first save are an unsaved draft.

If the alignment cannot be used, Lokimaps explains the problem and offers Review reference points. Correct the matches, then return to details and save again. Points in a straight line or mismatched landmarks may need to be moved.

Check recognisable places away from your four reference points as well. If they do not line up, adjust the matches or try a clearer image.

Edit a saved image layerEdit a saved image layer

  1. Open Maps and find the image layer under Layers.
  2. Open its Actions menu and select Details .
  3. Change the name, opacity, or crop as needed. These changes save automatically; existing layers have no separate details Save button.

Reopen Crop image to change or widen a previous crop. Lokimaps keeps the uncropped image, so cropping does not permanently remove those pixels.

To correct the alignment, select Edit reference points. Both panes fit the existing points into view, and the map pane hides the image layer being edited so you can see the underlying map. Hold and drag markers to adjust them, then select Save in the header. Leaving with changed points offers Save changes or Discard changes; tapping outside the confirmation keeps the editor open.

Choose what appears above the imageChoose what appears above the image

In Maps , drag the image layer's row up or down under Layers. Layers nearer the top draw above those below them. See Choose the layer order for how the order is saved and how to combine an image with other layers.

Hide or delete a layerHide or delete a layer

Select an image layer in the Layers collection to show or hide it. Hiding preserves the image and all its settings.

To remove it, swipe left on its row and select Delete , then confirm. Deleting removes the device's saved image and reference points. To restore the layer, you will need to import the image and match its landmarks again.

Offline use and storageOffline use and storage

Saved image layers remain available after restarting Lokimaps and can render offline while you have PRO access. They are stored locally on this device; the feature does not sync layers between devices or offer image-layer sharing or export.

Adding an image layer does not download the map underneath it. Download a supported base-map area separately before a trip and check the result with Wi-Fi and mobile data disabled. Automatic image analysis and downloading an image that is only in cloud storage require a connection.

If something goes wrongIf something goes wrong

  • The image will not open: confirm that it is available in Photos or Files, then choose it again. For a large image or a memory warning, try again with more memory available or choose a smaller copy. Lokimaps does not silently reduce the layer's resolution to fit.
  • Camera access is off: allow camera access for Lokimaps in iOS settings, or choose another source.
  • Saving fails: keep the draft open, free storage if needed, and retry. A failed save preserves the last committed version of an existing layer.
  • A saved layer cannot be opened: the Maps screen lists unavailable image layers separately. Select Retry to try loading again, or use the row's Delete image layer button and confirm removal. Other readable layers remain available.
  • Import or saving was interrupted: follow the recovery message and retry or choose another image. Unsaved drafts are not restored automatically after an app restart.

For general map visibility or subscription problems, see Troubleshooting and support. For an online WMS, WMTS, or WFS source rather than an image, use custom maps and layers.