A little history at the start
At the beginning of 2019, we began to think intensively about the future of Locus Map, and thus the future direction of our company. Our priorities were and are clear from the beginning – we want to continue to develop and improve Locus Map for you, on all platforms – Android, iOS and web. However, such development would no longer be possible without a fundamental change in the concept of our project.
The Locus Map Pro app, now Classic, was already technically very complex at the time and it was necessary to take into account the increasing costs of maintaining its functionality in the rapidly changing environment of the Android operating system and connected services.
That’s why, in the spring of that year, we first informed you about the launch of the next generation of Locus Map and our next steps:
- Our priority is the development of a single application, Locus Map 4, contingent on sustainable funding through subscriptions and other recurring payment options
- The emergence of our own web services to manage your data – web portal, cloud, and synchronisation and the associated reduction in dependency on third-party services and applications
- The decline in the development of Locus Map Pro, the renaming of the application to Locus Map 3 Classic, and the transition to maintenance mode with the end of support within a few years
Two years later, we launched the Locus Map 4 project, including the promised functionality and web services, which we have been developing, improving and expanding ever since. We have also introduced Premium Silver and Gold advanced feature packages, available by subscription and for one-time term payments.
For Locus Map 3 Classic users, we’ve offered 100% off Premium Silver and 50% off Premium Gold for one year. This exclusive offer, among other things, offsets the investment on the previous purchase of the Classic version. So it doesn’t matter if it was purchased a week ago or 10 years ago.
- Locus Map 4 has undergone several phases of redesign for better ergonomics and user-friendliness
- It is fully usable offline without relying on third-party applications and add-ons
- It is connected to a web portal with its own hiking/biking and satellite maps, route planner and library of user tracks, routes and points
- It automatically syncs your routes and points between multiple devices on all platforms
- It is also being developed for iOS devices, so far in a “Lite” version
- And much more…
Development continues apace, thanks to sustained funding from you, our users. Thank you! We have no other resources – we pride ourselves on being a small company with no outside capital, no investors, and a clear commitment to the sanctity of your data – we manage it for your benefit, not for resale. However, this gives us a tremendous amount of freedom and independence, so we can develop the application and services exactly to your imagination!
Locus Map 3 Classic enters its final phase
As time goes on, the development of the two variants of Locus Map has become increasingly divergent and it has become very costly for us to maintain both product branches.
So the time has come to announce that we will end support and maintenance of Locus Map 3 Classic in the spring of 2026.
The app will be pulled from Google Play and will continue to be available only as an APK file in our public archive.
We want to welcome you among the users of Locus Map 4!
What do you get by switching to Locus Map 4?
A modern navigation application
- Efficient UI – everything you need is at your fingertips, and you can adjust the layout of the controls to suit your preferences
- Save battery with dark display mode
- You can launch the app with a widget
- You can connect it with heart rate, cadence, power sensors and some e-bikes; it also works with Garmin bike radars
- It can connect to Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive for unlimited data import and export
- It is fully equipped with geocaching features without the need to connect to external add-ons
New maps, points of interest and router
- Online biking, hiking and winter LoMaps, worldwide FREE, updated daily
- Global satellite maps from HERE and Maxar
- Library of WMS and WMTS resources with hundreds of additional maps
- Points of interest on the map (LoPoints) with information and photos from Wikipedia and other users and full-text search
- Built-in LoRouter for route planning with a range of customisable options
Web services
- Route planner with a Library to conveniently plot your trips on a large PC screen
- Sync your routes, downloaded caches and favourite places between all your devices and the web library
Developer and user community support
- Continuous development of the application and associated services
- Fast support via helpdesk and social networks
- Source ideas, tips and tricks from users on the Locus forum
Some features are available in Premium packages. Locus Map 3 Classic users automatically get 100% off Premium Silver and 50% off Premium Gold for one year! The Premium Silver package builds on Locus Map 3 Classic (with many extra features). With the Premium Gold package, you get the ultimate selection of all the features and services in our current offer.
What is the best way to switch to Locus Map 4?
Locus Map 3 Classic
- Make a backup using the Backup tool, save it either to the system folder “downloads” or to one of the supported clouds (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive)
- In Settings > Miscellaneous > Default directories, select “Unload app data“
- Create a directory “locus_data” in the system folder “Downloads” and store the application data in it
Locus Map 4
- Install the app from Google Play
- In settings > Backup & file system > App data transfer, select “Load app data“
- Retrieve the data from the “locus_data” folder in the “downloads” directory
- After restarting the application, restore the backup from the “downloads” folder or the cloud
- After another restart, you are ready
This guide is valid for the latest versions of the Android operating system. If you encounter the slightest problem, feel free to contact us at helpdesk. We are happy to help!
We hope you will find the transition to the next generation of Locus Map to be a rewarding and enjoyable experience on your outdoor adventures with family or friends.
Photo by Locus team and David Griffiths on Unsplash
Locus Map 3 ClassicLocus Map Proretirement
42 Comments
I always use this app. It is so good to measure land and get location points.
Locus Map 4 can measure land and get location points, too, plus much more. There's no need to stay with the obsolete app without maintenance and support.
1. Is V4 supporting uploading to Livetrack24.com?
2. Does V4 display Hight Over Ground?
If not, there is little incentive to move from V3,which is already a very good "all arounder" for Paragliding, Mountain biking, Hiking...
Hi Mario,
Locus Map 4 does the same as Locus Classic, plus much more. Yes, it offers Live Tracking, and yes, it displays altitude.
Bonjour, je tente une question ici car je n'arrive pas à trouver une solution à un problème que je rencontre en utilisant la version locus map gratuite que j'ai télécharger sur mon téléphone portable tout récemment.
En effet, je souhaiterais utiliser cette application avec une classe sur le terrain et je l'ai essayé, j'ai réussi à tracer un parcours en y incluant des photos "sans problèmes" en revanche je ne sais pas comment faire pour partager ce parcours avec les photos à une autre personne. J'ai essayé mais l'autre personne reçoit le parcours sans avoir accès aux photos. Faut-il pour cela utiliser la version payante ou est-ce possible autrement ?
Par avance merci de vos retours
Hi, export the track with photos to a KMZ file and make sure the option "including attachments" is checked in the export dialog. The export is not a Premium feature - it's free. If you need assistance, please contact us at https://help.locusmap.eu.
Dobrý den,dnes jsem si nainstaloval Locus,zatím bez map..Chci si vyzloušet celý software ,zda komunikuje s aplikací Locus map,přes externí GPS bluetooth,který mne umožní velikou přesnost,kterou má můj GPS přijimač (1 m).. Spárovaný s bluetooth je.. Pouze alikace Locus mne říká,abych nastavil povolení ve skypilotu.. To je právě ten problém,kde to v systému Locus map je a kde to najdu. Prosím o radu.. Díky moc. Chci si tuto bezkonkurenční navigaci určitě koupit,protože mám na kole 2,5 KW baterii 48V/50A a jezdím denně v pohodě kolem 200km na svém novém kole Kellys prošpikovaném elektronikou s dobíjením za jízdy..Díky moc za radu,jak tuto kompatibilitu v Locusu provést.. Vašek..
Zvláštní, server vám komolý text..Aplikace locus píše ,že mám nastavit povolení ve skypilotu,což nevím,kde to najdu v aplikaci..Díky..
Tak hotovo.už to maká..Stačilo dát pro začátek tablet a GPS vedle sebe..A už je to boží.. Výpadky GPS signálu již nebudou v lese,ani mezi skálami..Zdravím Locusáci..
Does V4 support adding layers (points, tracks, polygons) with several fields so that these fields can be updated with surveyed data (e.g. text, numbers, etc.)?
This is above a scope of a leisure time hiking/biking app - please have look at www.locusgis.com - we also develop an app for GIS professionals that better suits your requirements.
I used imported raster map and Lomap in locus map classic as well, does locus map 4 still support both map formats?
Of course it does. It offers the same features plus much more.
Not too happy at the news. I have years of use on this old 'obsolete' app (which is not in fact, for me, at all).
I don't think people still on V3 classic need new developments. They just need an occasional update if the new Android version breaks it. Not sure if it's that time or resources consuming.
Now nothing interests me in the new app. I will be forced to subscribe to an expensive (for the use I have) platinum for the functions I use twice or three times a year, plus I don't like the new interface. I will be forced to subscribe just to have a look at my tracks and the POI I have painstakingly created over the years.
Real incentives would be the ability to see any map in 3D which helps in the mountains but I don't see that coming. I used to buy Locus Maps packs in the Locus Store too but I'll think I'll stop using all that altogether.
Too bad.
Hi,
"I don’t think people still on V3 classic need new developments. They just need an occasional update if the new Android version breaks it. Not sure if it’s that time or resources consuming."
- yes, maintaining the app in this state is very time consuming now when the app uses a different user database
"I will be forced to subscribe to an expensive (for the use I have) platinum for the functions I use twice or three times a year"
- you don't have to subscribe at all if you just need to use the basic features like track recording , route planning or navigation or management of your tracks. If you need the features that are in Locus Map Classic, subscribe to Premium Silver which only costs 10€ a year
"Real incentives would be the ability to see any map in 3D which helps in the mountains but I don’t see that coming."
- generating 3D maps is very resource-consuming and it drains the battery which is quite counter-productive for an outdoor navigation app
you sold lifetime licence. now you turn cat around.
Michal - agreemsnt need to be fulfilled
Hi Piotr,
We don't sell a lifetime license; Google Play does. We are only developers, Google Play is the vendor. The lifetime is not a person's lifetime - it's the app's lifetime. And Locus Map Classic's lifetime has been fulfilled.
You have promised 2019:
"Don’t worry, Locus Map Pro will stay on Google Play. However, it will be called Locus Map Classic and will be able to do everything Locus Map Pro can do now. We will update and maintain it so that it can deal with the pitfalls of other versions of Android. However, the main development will only apply to the new Locus Map – only in it the innovations and improvements mentioned above will be available."
You are breaking your promise.
Hi Stephan,
what promise? We didn't promise that LM Classic will stay on Google Play forever. We maintained it, supported it, and updated it for 6 years after we started the transition to a more sustainable model. That's quite a long time in IT. Apps come and go, and now it's time for Locus Map Classic.
customers come and go too ... I know, you want to earn money, but I don't want to give my money every month/year ... I prefer one time payment for basic use (Locus is the best, but not the only) ... please, rethink your decisions ... special features and periodic payment$ doesn't interest me ... sorry guy$, but greed is no good
i do not worry . i have lifetime licence . so until i live i will install it on my new dones even in 2070.
since you accept payment for it you must keep it working. i do not expect anything new though .
this is not you say 'we finish support with this 2026 season', but commitment you made with buy sell law agreement and lifetime is not season.
optionally you can replace it with lifetime licence of locus 3 prociding only app name changes in aggrement. othwerwise i will sue you
Hi Piotr,
We don't sell a lifetime license; Google Play does. We are only developers, Google Play is the vendor. The lifetime is not a human lifetime - it's the app's lifetime. And Locus Map Classic's lifetime has been fulfilled.
i quote you guys from locus.
Michal S. • 5 years ago
Hi Stéphane,
1) license of Locus Map Pro is one-time and has lifetime validity
2) if you use the same Google account both on your phone and tablet, then yes, you can use LM Pro on both devices
3) yes, if you use the same Google account on both devics and the same account in your Locus Store user profile, you can use the same map in both devices
best regards
Michal, Locus team
Hi Piotr,
point 1) we don't sell a lifetime license; Google Play does. We are only developers, Google Play is the vendor. The lifetime is not a human lifetime - it's the app's lifetime. And Locus Map Classic's lifetime has been fulfilled.
points 2) and 3) are still valid
Hi Michal,
ich habe vor einiger Zeit ein sehr großes Paket von LoCoins erworben - verfallen diese dann? Das wäre nicht ok! Oder sind diese in Version 4 übertragbar und nutzbar, auch ohne Abo?
Grüße, Achim
LoCoins stay on your Locus account which can be used on both apps - LM Classic and LM 4. LoCOins are independent on the subscription.
I fully understand you need to make a living off the app. On the other hand I bought a lifetime license. Obviously this is not going hand in hand.
I need no extra features. Locus 3 as is is fine.
I'd expect you to keep providing the app as is.
I'd keep buying lomaps, though.
Hi Frank,
when Google Play says "lifetime," it doesn't mean a human lifetime - it means the app's lifetime. You paid once for the app's lifetime. Now, Locus Map Classic's lifetime is coming to an end.
It is not possible to provide an app without maintaining it. Plus, the app is connected to an environment that needs financing. We've been keeping Locus Map Classic on for 6 years since we announced the transition to a more sustainable model. We understand it is frustrating for many that this period has come to an end but there's no other way for us if we want to continue the development.
Voicing discontentment at the planned removal of Locus 3 is like complaining to an AI chatbot.
They'll keep saying 'just subscribe to a silver or gold package' or use the free version.
But for someone who only hikes 🚶 once in a while or does random trips along the year, it absolutely doesn't feel right or suits me and a few others from what I've read.
Maintaining updates on Locus 3 is time consuming and expensive? 🤷♂️
Fine, old faithful customers who bought lifetime licences should get lifetime silver subscription for free (and even that would not give all the functionalities available for free in Locus 3).
Devs can say whatever they want to justify this move, they are still the ones to pull the trigger on Locus 3.
And coaxing old users into 'half price package subscription' or free ones for one year is just one way of convincing people on giving up their old app... But the thing is it costs us money every year or every month then so that's not really a 'gift' 🎁
Locus Map 4 doesn't include any functionality I don't already have with Classic. I didn't migrate on first release as I don't remember a free option at that time. I'm pleased to see that option now exists and that it gives me everything that I need. I also understand that a lifetime licence refers to the lifetime of the product, not the lifetime of the user. Your credit on the new licence and advance warning are both above and beyond what many developers offer.
Does the migration process keep all of the Lomaps I have bought over the years and my remaining credits too? I have read information in the past which has lead me to understand that I will need to buy them all again
Hi Roland,
Locus Map 4, in its basic version, was free from the beginning in 2019 - it is a successor of Locus Map Free that existed before.
If you use the same Locus account in Locus Map 4 as in Locus Map Classic, all your LoCoin purchases and downloaded maps remain with you.
I'll investigate further. Locus Map Free didn't give me everything that I want, which is why I bought Pro, I'll investigate the free version of Locus Map 4. Good that I can transfer map purchases from one to the other
Will the classic version keep working fully after the removal from Play Store? Or which functions will stop working?
Can Locus Map 4 display my custom elevation profiles as a layer?
Hi Arne, Locus Map Classic will be disconnected from Locus Store so it won't be possible to download maps from there. Also, third-party services will stop working for it - weather forecast, GraphHopper router...
"Can Locus Map 4 display my custom elevation profiles as a layer?"
- what do you mean by it? Do you mean custom elevation data? If so, yes, all custom features are the same (plus more) in LM4
Čaute. Mám 2 otázky:
1) Keď prejdem z Classic na Silver, je nejaká funkcia ktorá by mi chýbala a je dostupná len v Gold?
2) keby som využil Silver na rok za výmenu z Classic, je možné na skúšku napríklad na mesiac skúsiť gold a po mesiaci sa mi automaticky vráti Silver?
Dobrý den,
1) v Classicu není žádná funkce, která je nyní v Premium Gold. Všechny funkce z Classic verze jsou dostupné v Premium Silver.
2) ano, toto je možné, pokud si na zkoušku koupíte jednorázový Gold na měsíc. Po jeho vyčerpání automaticky pokračujete v Silveru zdarma.
A ešte otázka: keď si dám Silver na mesiac na skúšku, stále mi ostane možnosť na rok zadarmo vymeniť Classic za Silver?
Silver máte k dispozici zdarma na celý rok, tak nedává smysl využít jej pouze na měsíc.
Myslel som to tak, že si ponechám zatiaľ Classic a na verziu 4 si aktivujem Silver na mesiac. Ak sa mi to zaľúbi, či by sa dala potom využiť tá akcia Silver na rok zadarmo. Predpokladám že po využití tej akcie prídem o aplikáciu Classic úplne.
Silver zdarma je k dispozici pouze na rok a momentálně je jedno, kdy jej využijete. Aplikace LM Classic a LM4 jsou nezávislé a můžete v telefonu používat obě. Každá ale se svou vlastní databází tras a bodů - od verze 4.28 jsou jejich databáze nekompatibilní. Po ukončení Silveru zdarma se můžete vrátit ke Classicu, ale ten už zřejmě nebude na Google Play, ale pouze v našem veřejném archivu na https://bit.ly/lmVersions.
Dobrý den
Pokud mám nainstalovaný Locus Classic a kopím si Locus 4 Silver (tedy defacto jinou aplikaci), bude nutné do ní přenést všechny offline mapy (NE LoMaps), které mám v Locus Classic a nebo mi to nabídne automatický přenos při prvním spuštění Locus 4? Stejný dotaz mám i co se týká zazanamenaných nebo naplánavaných tras a bodů. A jak je to s nastavením aplikace - přenese se nějakým způsobem automaticky (případně načtením zálohy z Locus Classic) nebo bude nutné vše nastavovat znovu manuálně? Dále by mne zajímalo jak to bude s vlastními obrazovkami (dashboard) - je možné je nějak přenést a nebo bude nutné vše pracně nastavovat znovu?
Předem díky za odpovědi.
I don't want any subscriptions. I will give up Locus 3 when it stops working. It's sad.