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Why Did My Avenza Maps Become Inactive? How to Get Them Back

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If maps you added to Avenza Maps yourself now say “Inactive”, nothing is wrong with your phone or the files. Avenza changed its free version in 2026. Here’s what inactive means, how to get your maps and placemarks out safely, and how to keep using them.

Why your maps are inactive

Avenza’s changes FAQ says: “The free version of Avenza Maps no longer supports custom map imports. As part of this update, previously imported custom maps have been marked inactive.” (Avenza changes FAQ, checked November 10, 2026.)

  • Custom maps are the ones you added yourself: a GeoPDF from an agency, a club, a state wildlife department or your own GIS. These are the ones affected.
  • Maps from the Avenza Map Store are not. Avenza says they “are not considered custom maps and are not affected by this change”.

In the app, the Library has an Inactive filter for maps that “can only be viewed without the use of a subscription upgrade”, and a map can show an “Inactive” label when the map import limit has been reached (Avenza: Library, checked November 10, 2026). On the free version that limit is now zero, which is why every map you added yourself is affected at once.

Avenza doesn’t publish a list of exactly what still works on an inactive map, so don’t count on one in the field. Get your files and placemarks out first (below), then decide.

Step 1: Get the map files back

Work down this list; most people stop at the first or second step.

  1. Find the original file. Look in your phone’s Downloads or Files, your email attachments, or the cloud drive you got it from. If you have the PDF, you don’t need anything from Avenza.
  2. Download it again from the source. Agency and club maps are usually still on the publisher’s website, often in a newer edition than the one in your phone.
  3. Export it from Avenza. Avenza’s help says custom maps are exported “in the same format as the map was imported”, from the Share option next to the map in My Maps (Avenza: sharing maps, checked November 10, 2026). Its help describes this for Plus users and doesn’t say whether the free version can still export an inactive map, so try it, and save the file to your phone’s files or a cloud drive.

Maps you bought from the Avenza Map Store can’t be exported, Avenza says; they stay in Avenza and keep working there.

Step 2: Export your placemarks, tracks and photos

Your placemarks, tracks and areas are stored in layers, separately from the maps. Exporting them to KML, GPX and CSV is listed as included on the free plan (Avenza compare plans, checked November 10, 2026).

  1. In Avenza, open the Layers tab.
  2. Tap the menu to the right of a layer and choose Export.
  3. Choose KMZ if you want photos included; Avenza’s photo option works with KML/KMZ. GPX carries placemarks, lines and tracks; CSV carries placemarks only (Avenza: exporting map features, checked November 10, 2026).
  4. Save the file somewhere outside the app. Repeat for each layer you want to keep.

Do this even if you plan to stay with Avenza. A KMZ or GPX file opens in almost every map app, and it’s your backup if anything changes again.

Step 3: Keep using your maps

Stay with Avenza

Avenza suggests upgrading in the app under Settings, Upgrade Account. It lists Plus at $34.99 a year per device for up to 20 of your own maps, and Pro from $169.99 a year per device for unlimited maps and work use (Avenza pricing, checked November 10, 2026).

Open the same files in another app

A GeoPDF isn’t tied to Avenza. Where to open your GeoPDF maps now compares the options, including CalTopo, Gaia GPS, Locus Map, Field Maps, QField and QGIS, with what each one needs.

Cartahaven

We make Cartahaven, so weigh this one accordingly. In the map app, tap Import and pick your PDF: it shows your GPS position on it with no signal, free, with no limit on how many maps you add. For your Avenza layers, tap Import, Moving from Avenza and Choose Avenza export; placemarks, tracks and areas come in with their names, icons and photos. The details are in moving from Avenza Maps.

Cartahaven runs in your phone’s browser at app.cartahaven.com and installs to your home screen. The Android and iPhone apps aren’t in the app stores yet.

Step 4: Check before you go

  1. Open each map in the app you chose and make sure your dot appears where you are.
  2. Turn on airplane mode and open the maps again, so you know they’re saved on the phone.
  3. Check that your placemarks and tracks came across, then keep the export files anyway.

Still deciding? Avenza’s free version won’t open your maps: your options covers the choices in more detail.