# Adding custom background maps to Mapeo Desktop By default, Mapeo Desktop in **Observations** mode uses a[ background map](https://docs.mapeo.app/complete-reference-guide/will-mapeo-work-out-of-the-box-for-me/default-base-map) that shows some geographical elements such as rivers and hills, as well as some political and urban elements such as borders, cities, roads, etc. Mapeo Desktop in **Territory** mode offers a range of background maps including satellite imagery, OpenStreetMap, and more. If you have a [custom background map](https://docs.mapeo.app/complete-reference-guide/customization-options/custom-base-maps), you can add it and use it in Mapeo Desktop without affecting the data collected. (For more on creating custom background maps, see [custom-base-maps](https://docs.mapeo.app/complete-reference-guide/customization-options/custom-base-maps "mention").) {% hint style="danger" %} Adding a background map to Mapeo Desktop requires some technical skills and should be done by someone comfortable copying and pasting files within the internal file system. A mistake in this process could cause irreversible undesired effects. {% endhint %} To add a background map to Mapeo Desktop, follow the instructions below for your operating system: * [**Windows computer**](#steps-for-a-windows-computer) * [**macOS computer**](#steps-for-a-macos-computer) ## Windows computer ### Locate and copy the contents of the Mapeo background map package Mapeo background maps will often be shared as a compressed file`(.zip)`. If your background map is a `.zip` file, double click the file to unzip it. Standard vector background maps for Mapeo will contain the file elements listed below: 3 folders and 2 files. ![](https://3796244665-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MYBEBKX0wx5_bwmCf0q-887967055%2Fuploads%2FDpZQowt6iUkQlbcVMxZi%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=aa1a81e7-41b4-415a-9fbc-f38acc00e71c) {% hint style="info" %} Raster background maps will contain different files and folders than those pictured above. Raster maps for Mapeo consist of one folder (`tiles`) and one file (`style.json`). {% endhint %} Select and copy all of the elements found inside your background map folder. ### Paste the copied elements into the Mapeo/styles/default folder 1. In the Windows search engine, type `%APPDATA%` , and open the folder that appears with this name. 2. Inside the **AppData** folder, click on the **Mapeo** subfolder, then click on the **styles** subfolder. 3. If there is not already a **default** folder inside your **styles** folder, you will need to create one. To do so, right-click inside the **styles** folder and create a new folder named **default.** 4. Paste the background map elements you copied into the **default** folder. ### Reload **Mapeo Desktop** Use **Ctrl + R** on your keyboard to reload Mapeo or restart **Mapeo Desktop** to begin using the custom background map. {% hint style="info" %} For more on loading custom background maps into **Territory** mode in Mapeo Desktop, see [changing-basemaps](https://docs.mapeo.app/complete-reference-guide/mapeo-desktop-use/using-mapeo-desktop-to-create-territory-information/changing-basemaps "mention") in the [using-mapeo-desktop-to-create-territory-information](https://docs.mapeo.app/complete-reference-guide/mapeo-desktop-use/using-mapeo-desktop-to-create-territory-information "mention") section. {% endhint %} ## macOS computer ### Locate and copy the contents of the Mapeo background map package Mapeo background maps will often be shared as a compressed file`(.zip)`. If your background map is a `.zip` file, double click the file to unzip it. A Mapeo background map consists of several folders and files that need to be copied into the file system of Mapeo Desktop. Standard vector background maps for Mapeo will contain the file elements listed below - 3 folders and 2 files. ![](https://3796244665-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MYBEBKX0wx5_bwmCf0q-887967055%2Fuploads%2FDpZQowt6iUkQlbcVMxZi%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=aa1a81e7-41b4-415a-9fbc-f38acc00e71c) {% hint style="info" %} Raster background maps will contain different files and folders than those pictured above. Raster maps for Mapeo consist of one folder (`tiles`) and one file (`style.json`). {% endhint %} Select and copy all of the elements found inside your background map folder. ### Navigate to the Mapeo/styles folder 1. Click on **Finder** on your computer. 2. In the top menu bar, click on **Go**, then select **Go to Folder...** 3. Type in `~/Library/Application Support/Mapeo/styles` in the address bar and click on **Go**. ### Paste the copied elements into the Mapeo/styles/default folder If there is not already a **default** folder inside your **styles** folder, you will need to create one. To do so, control-click inside the **styles** folder and create a new folder named **default.** Paste the background map elements you copied into the **default** folder. ### Restart **Mapeo Desktop** Use **Command (⌘)-R** on your keyboard to reload Mapeo or restart **Mapeo Desktop** to begin using the custom background map. {% hint style="info" %} For more on loading custom background maps into **Territory** mode in Mapeo Desktop, see [changing-basemaps](https://docs.mapeo.app/complete-reference-guide/mapeo-desktop-use/using-mapeo-desktop-to-create-territory-information/changing-basemaps "mention") in the [using-mapeo-desktop-to-create-territory-information](https://docs.mapeo.app/complete-reference-guide/mapeo-desktop-use/using-mapeo-desktop-to-create-territory-information "mention") section. {% endhint %}