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How to Use Your Local Pins Map (KMZ & ZIP Files)

You just bought a Local Pins map. Now what? This guide walks you through opening it step by step, no technical background required. It takes about two minutes.

What did I actually download?

Every Local Pins map is a small file that holds a set of pins: a name, a short description, and a location for every place we’ve curated for you.

KMZ is a standard, widely-supported map format. It isn’t a Local Pins invention, and it isn’t tied to one app, which is why it works across Google My Maps, Google Earth, Organic Maps, Maps.me, and most other OpenStreetMap-based apps.

Opening your map, app by app

Pick whichever app you already use. You don’t need all of them.

Google My Maps (best if you already use Google Maps)

  1. On your computer, go to mymaps.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
  2. Click Create a New Map.
  3. Click Import and choose your .kmz file.
  4. Your pins appear as a new layer. Open the Google Maps app on your phone, tap the menu, go to Your places → Maps, and your imported map will be there. It works offline too, once you’ve opened it once with a connection.

Google Earth (best for exploring in 3D)

  1. Open the Google Earth app (or earth.google.com in a browser) on your phone or computer.
  2. Tap the menu and choose Projects.
  3. Choose Import KML file (KMZ works the same way) and select your .kmz file.
  4. Your pins appear on the globe. Tap any one for its name and description.

Organic Maps (best for fully offline use, no Google account needed)

  1. Install Organic Maps if you don’t already have it.
  2. On your phone, locate the .kmz file (check your Downloads folder, or the Files app on iPhone) and tap it.
  3. Choose Open in Organic Maps from the share menu.
  4. Your pins are added as a Bookmark list. Tap the bookmarks icon to see them, with full offline maps underneath.

Maps.me

  1. Install Maps.me if needed.
  2. Tap the .kmz file on your phone and choose Open in Maps.me from the share menu (same idea as Organic Maps, since both are built on OpenStreetMap).
  3. Your pins appear under Bookmarks.

FAQ

What is a KMZ file?

A KMZ file is a compressed map file that stores a set of named pins with descriptions and coordinates. It’s an open format, not something specific to Local Pins, so it opens in Google My Maps, Google Earth, Organic Maps, Maps.me, and most other mapping apps built on OpenStreetMap.

What's inside the .zip bundle I downloaded?

A country or region bundle is a .zip file containing several .kmz files, one per city or area covered. Unzip it first (most phones and computers can do this by tapping or double-clicking the file), then open each .kmz file individually in your maps app of choice.

How do I open a KMZ file on my iPhone or Android?

Tap the file where you downloaded it (usually in the Files app on iPhone, or your Downloads folder on Android), then choose Share or Open with and pick your maps app. Organic Maps, Maps.me, and Google Earth all work this way. For Google My Maps, import the file from a computer first, then it syncs to the Google Maps app on your phone.

How do I open a KMZ file on my computer?

The easiest way is Google My Maps: go to mymaps.google.com, create a new map, and use Import to select your .kmz file. Google Earth’s desktop and web versions can also import it directly.

Do I need an internet connection to use the map?

No, not after you’ve imported it once. Organic Maps and Maps.me are built for fully offline use: the pins and the underlying map data stay on your phone. Google My Maps and Google Earth need a one-time connection to import and sync the file, but you can save areas for offline viewing afterward.

Can I use the map in Apple Maps?

Not directly. Apple Maps doesn’t support importing KMZ files. If you’re on iPhone, Organic Maps, Maps.me, or Google My Maps (via the Google Maps app) are your best options.

My download link expired, what do I do?

Download links stay active for 3 days and allow up to 5 downloads, so there’s room to redownload if something goes wrong the first time. If yours has expired, contact us with your order details and we’ll sort it out.

Can I use my map on more than one device?

Yes. Once you’ve downloaded the file, you own it: install it in as many maps apps, and on as many of your own devices, as you like. There’s no account or device limit.

Is my data or location shared with anyone?

No. The map file just contains the pins we curated. It doesn’t track or transmit your location to us or to anyone else. Each app controls how it uses your location, such as showing your position on the map, through its own privacy settings, not through the file itself.

Still stuck? Get in touch and we’ll help you get your map open.