Frequently asked questions

Google lets you download all your saved places for free through Google Takeout:

• Go to takeout.google.com
• Click Deselect all
• Select only Maps (your places)
• Click Next step, download, and unzip
• Open the Takeout / Maps / folder

You will find separate files for each list — Saved Places, Want to go, Favorites, and any custom lists. Upload them all at once.

All of them. Google Takeout exports every list as a separate file: Saved Places, Want to go, Favorites, and any custom lists you created. Upload all of them at once and Maps Converter merges them and labels each place with its source list.

No. No account, no sign-up, no email address required. Open the site, upload your file, download your export.

Yes. Use the Paste a link column — paste any full Google Maps URL from your browser's address bar. Add as many as you like before converting.

JSON and CSV. Both are standard Google Takeout exports and processed entirely in your browser. JSON files are named things like Saved Places.json. CSV is also common and Maps Converter auto-detects the column layout.

Yes. CSV is fully supported. Upload it the same way — Maps Converter detects the format automatically. The file is usually named Saved Places.csv in the Takeout / Maps / folder.

Yes — and this is recommended. Hold Shift or Cmd/Ctrl to select all your list files at once, or drag them all in together. Maps Converter reads each file, merges the places, and labels each with its source list name.

The HTML export generates a webpage with every place as a direct Apple Maps link. Download saved-places.html, send it to your iPhone via AirDrop or iCloud Drive, open it in Safari, and tap each place to open it directly in Apple Maps. Then tap the bookmark icon to save it as a favorite.

The VCF export saves places as contacts in your address book. They appear as suggestions when you search in Apple Maps by name — but they are not saved as map pins or Apple Maps favorites. They won't appear on the map or in your saved places list. For real Apple Maps pins, use the HTML or Mac automation export instead.

GPX is a standard GPS format. Apple Maps cannot open GPX files directly, but apps like OsmAnd, Maps.me, and Organic Maps can. Only places with GPS coordinates are included — places identified only by name or address are excluded.

JSON files from Google Takeout always include coordinates. Some CSV exports may only contain a name or address. In those cases, Maps Converter tries to extract coordinates from the Google Maps URL column if one is present. Places without coordinates still work for HTML and VCF exports — they just won't appear on the map preview or in GPX exports.

The Mac automation export generates an AppleScript file pre-loaded with all your places. When run, it opens Apple Maps, navigates to each place, and automatically clicks "Add to Favorites". Saved favorites sync to your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch via iCloud automatically.

• Open Script Editor on your Mac (Cmd+Space, search "Script Editor")
• Open the downloaded save-to-apple-maps.applescript file
• First run: go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility and enable Script Editor
• Click the Play button (triangle)
• Do not use your Mac while it runs — it is controlling the screen

A summary dialog shows how many places were saved and skipped when finished.

Skipped places usually mean Apple Maps took too long to load, or the button position changed after a macOS update. You can re-run the script safely — it will add duplicates for already-saved places which you can remove manually. For remaining skipped places, use the HTML export and tap them individually.

Yes — automatically. Apple Maps favorites sync across all your Apple devices via iCloud. Once saved on your Mac, they appear on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch within a few minutes, as long as you are signed in to the same Apple ID.

No — your file never leaves your device. All processing happens in your browser. Nothing is transmitted to any server at any point.

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Yes. No personal data is processed or stored on our servers. Our analytics tool (Plausible) is GDPR compliant by design — no consent banner required. See our Privacy Policy.

Make sure you are uploading from inside Takeout / Maps / after unzipping. Common mistakes:

• Uploading the ZIP file itself — unzip it first
• Uploading from a different Takeout section (Drive, Photos, etc.)
• Uploading a Timeline file — these have a different format and are not supported

The correct files are named Saved Places.json, Want to go.json, or Saved Places.csv.

Shortened maps.app.goo.gl links are not supported. To get the full URL: open the link in your browser, wait for it to load fully in Google Maps, then copy the URL from the address bar — it should start with google.com/maps/place/.

The map preview only shows places with GPS coordinates. Switch to the All places tab to see your complete list — all places can be opened in Apple Maps using the "Open in Maps →" link regardless of whether they have coordinates.

The site works on mobile browsers, but getting your Google Takeout file onto your phone requires extra steps. Easiest flow: download and convert on your computer, then send the output file to your iPhone via AirDrop or iCloud Drive. The Mac automation requires a Mac specifically.

Open Apple Maps on your Mac, go to Favorites in the sidebar, right-click a duplicate, and choose Remove from Favorites. Changes sync to your iPhone via iCloud. There is no bulk-remove option — duplicates must be removed one at a time.