Sharing files between devices
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Last updated
Last updated
See the sections below for different file sharing options:
If you have access to an internet connection, you can share files in multiple ways. The optimal way depends on the size and type of the file. Below are our recommendations:
Some Mapeo files can be tricky to share from a Mapeo Mobile smartphone, because of their special formats. We recommend using Telegram app, email, or Google Drive to share the following files:
Configuration files (.mapeosettings)
Installation files for Mapeo Mobile (.apk)
Base maps (folder .zip)
To share and add base maps to Mapeo Mobile, we recommend using a computer and a USB cable, because it requires navigation inside the file system of the smartphone and pasting the base map elements in a specific location. For instructions on that process, see Adding custom background maps to Mapeo Mobile You can also share larger files (up to 2GB) for free via Dropbox, WeTransfer, or other online platforms.
Sending installation (.apk) and configuration (.mapeosettings) files with other apps encounter problems with the size and type of the files.
These are the most common Mapeo files that you will want to share from a Mapeo Desktop computer:
Configuration files (.mapeosettings)
Installation files for Mapeo Desktop (.exe, .dmg , .zip , .AppImage)
Base map folders
Sync files (.mapeodata)
You can use multiple platforms to share files.
Configuration files (.mapeosettings)
Installation files for Mapeo Mobile (.apk)
To transfer files using Android's Bluetooth:
On the Bluetooth settings screen, tap Pair new device and wait for the list of AVAILABLE DEVICES to populate. The screen of both devices should be open and unlocked to appear available for syncing.
Once you see the device you would like to share files with and confirm its identity, tap on the device name to pair.
Confirm the code and the pair request on both devices.
We recommend using email apps such as Gmail or Hotmail for sharing lightweight files (smaller than 10MB).
We recommend using Drive, Dropbox, WeTransfer to share heavier files as they allow you to send up to 2GB for free. You can use the Telegram Desktop app to send up to 1.5GB.
If you do not have access to an internet connection, there are multiple ways to share files between devices.
For transferring files between computers without an internet connection, we recommend using a USB drive or a cable. Although most computers can also share files via Bluetooth with other devices that are nearby, commonly shared files for Mapeo Desktop can be very heavy (e.g. Sync files (.mapeodata)) and Bluetooth could take much longer than using a USB cable or drive.
Example: In this example, we will share a Mapeo installation file from one computer to another one completely offline, using a USB drive.
1. Connect a USB stick to the computer where you already have the installation file and open it.
2. Localize the installation file on the computer, click on it with the right button of the mouse, select Copy.
3. Use the right button of the mouse to Paste the previously copied installation file into your USB stick folder.
4. Disconnect the USB stick from the computer and connect it to the computer in which you want to install Mapeo Desktop.
6. Open the USB stick folder and localize the previously pasted installation file. Click on it with the right button of the mouse and select Copy.
7. On the desktop screen of the computer in which you want to install Mapeo Desktop, click on an empty space with the right button of the mouse and select Paste.
Android devices that are near each other can use Bluetooth to transfer files without an internet connection. The Bluetooth transfer will be quicker for lighter weight files, such as:
Activate Bluetooth on both devices. Bluetooth settings can generally be found in the Quick Settings menu, accessed by swiping down from the top of your screen.
Locate and select the file you wish to send and tap Share. Select Bluetooth in the share options and tap the name of the other device in the list.
You can also use Android apps for Bluetooth sharing, including SHAREit or others.
For transferring larger files (bigger than 10MB) such as base map folders, we recommend connecting to a computer and transferring via cable if possible. For more on adding base maps to Mapeo Mobile, see #adding-a-base-map-using-a-computer.
