Global Forest Watch Help Center
https://www.globalforestwatch.org/help
Upload custom basemaps and contextual layers
Forest Watcher offers the ability to upload custom basemaps and contextual layers directly into the mobile app. This is an innovative feature for users who would like to complement the data from GFW with location-specific information.
Below you will find steps on how to upload custom basemaps, contextual layers and GFW layers directly to your device.
- To start, navigate to the homepage and tap “Settings.” On the settings page, you can access basemaps or contextual layers by tapping the appropriate icon.


Upload custom basemaps
- Tap “Basemaps” on the settings page. From here, you can manage both the default and custom basemaps on the app. Tap the “+” icon on the top right to upload a custom basemap.

- You will then be prompted to choose the basemap type. Tap “Custom Basemap” and select the custom basemap file you would like to upload. The only file type supported for custom basemaps on Forest Watcher is .mbtiles.


- After selecting your basemap file, you will be prompted to name your basemap. Once you have decided on a name, tap the green “Import Basemap” icon at the bottom of the screen.

- Your custom basemap will automatically download to the app and should be available under “Custom Basemaps” on the manage basemaps page. You will now be able to access your custom basemap when viewing your areas of interest.

Upload contextual layers
- Tap “Contextual Layers” on the settings page. From here, you can manage all contextual layers stored on the app, including contextual layers available from GFW and your own contextual layers. Tap the “+” icon on the top right to add a new contextual layer.

- You will then be prompted to choose contextual layer type, with two options: Add a GFW layer or add your own contextual layer.

Upload a GFW layer
- To add a GFW layer, tap “Add Global Forest Watch Layer.” From here, you can scroll through the additional contextual layers available from GFW.


- Tap the contextual layer you’d like to add then choose whether to download the data for offline use or to access it when online only.

- Once done, click “Add Layer” and the contextual layer will automatically download. You will find it under “GFW Layers” on the manage contextual layers page.

Upload a custom contextual layer
- To add your own contextual layer, tap “Custom Contextual Layer.” Supported file types include: .json, .geojson, .topojson, .gpx, .zip, .kmz and .kml

- From here, you will be prompted to select your file. Select the file from your device and you will be directed to a new page where you can name the contextual layer. After naming your contextual layer, tap “Import Layer” at the bottom of the screen.


- Your custom contextual layer will automatically import. You can find it under “Custom Layers” on the manage contextual layers page.

Learn more about sharing custom basemaps and contextual layers with another device here.
Hand graphic by Rawpixel.
Global Forest Watch Help Center
https://www.globalforestwatch.org/help
Upload custom basemaps and contextual layers
Forest Watcher offers the ability to upload custom basemaps and contextual layers directly into the mobile app. This is an innovative feature for users who would like to complement the data from GFW with location-specific information.
Below you will find steps on how to upload custom basemaps, contextual layers and GFW layers directly to your device.
- To start, navigate to the homepage and tap “Settings.” On the settings page, you can access basemaps or contextual layers by tapping the appropriate icon.


Upload custom basemaps
- Tap “Basemaps” on the settings page. From here, you can manage both the default and custom basemaps on the app. Tap the “+” icon on the top right to upload a custom basemap.

- You will then be prompted to choose the basemap type. Tap “Custom Basemap” and select the custom basemap file you would like to upload. The only file type supported for custom basemaps on Forest Watcher is .mbtiles.


- After selecting your basemap file, you will be prompted to name your basemap. Once you have decided on a name, tap the green “Import Basemap” icon at the bottom of the screen.

- Your custom basemap will automatically download to the app and should be available under “Custom Basemaps” on the manage basemaps page. You will now be able to access your custom basemap when viewing your areas of interest.

Upload contextual layers
- Tap “Contextual Layers” on the settings page. From here, you can manage all contextual layers stored on the app, including contextual layers available from GFW and your own contextual layers. Tap the “+” icon on the top right to add a new contextual layer.

- You will then be prompted to choose contextual layer type, with two options: Add a GFW layer or add your own contextual layer.

Upload a GFW layer
- To add a GFW layer, tap “Add Global Forest Watch Layer.” From here, you can scroll through the additional contextual layers available from GFW.


- Tap the contextual layer you’d like to add then choose whether to download the data for offline use or to access it when online only.

- Once done, click “Add Layer” and the contextual layer will automatically download. You will find it under “GFW Layers” on the manage contextual layers page.

Upload a custom contextual layer
- To add your own contextual layer, tap “Custom Contextual Layer.” Supported file types include: .json, .geojson, .topojson, .gpx, .zip, .kmz and .kml

- From here, you will be prompted to select your file. Select the file from your device and you will be directed to a new page where you can name the contextual layer. After naming your contextual layer, tap “Import Layer” at the bottom of the screen.


- Your custom contextual layer will automatically import. You can find it under “Custom Layers” on the manage contextual layers page.

Learn more about sharing custom basemaps and contextual layers with another device here.
Hand graphic by Rawpixel.
Upload custom basemaps and contextual layers
Forest Watcher offers the ability to upload custom basemaps and contextual layers directly into the mobile app. This is an innovative feature for users who would like to complement the data from GFW with location-specific information.
Below you will find steps on how to upload custom basemaps, contextual layers and GFW layers directly to your device.
- To start, navigate to the homepage and tap “Settings.” On the settings page, you can access basemaps or contextual layers by tapping the appropriate icon.


Upload custom basemaps
- Tap “Basemaps” on the settings page. From here, you can manage both the default and custom basemaps on the app. Tap the “+” icon on the top right to upload a custom basemap.

- You will then be prompted to choose the basemap type. Tap “Custom Basemap” and select the custom basemap file you would like to upload. The only file type supported for custom basemaps on Forest Watcher is .mbtiles.


- After selecting your basemap file, you will be prompted to name your basemap. Once you have decided on a name, tap the green “Import Basemap” icon at the bottom of the screen.

- Your custom basemap will automatically download to the app and should be available under “Custom Basemaps” on the manage basemaps page. You will now be able to access your custom basemap when viewing your areas of interest.

Upload contextual layers
- Tap “Contextual Layers” on the settings page. From here, you can manage all contextual layers stored on the app, including contextual layers available from GFW and your own contextual layers. Tap the “+” icon on the top right to add a new contextual layer.

- You will then be prompted to choose contextual layer type, with two options: Add a GFW layer or add your own contextual layer.

Upload a GFW layer
- To add a GFW layer, tap “Add Global Forest Watch Layer.” From here, you can scroll through the additional contextual layers available from GFW.


- Tap the contextual layer you’d like to add then choose whether to download the data for offline use or to access it when online only.

- Once done, click “Add Layer” and the contextual layer will automatically download. You will find it under “GFW Layers” on the manage contextual layers page.

Upload a custom contextual layer
- To add your own contextual layer, tap “Custom Contextual Layer.” Supported file types include: .json, .geojson, .topojson, .gpx, .zip, .kmz and .kml

- From here, you will be prompted to select your file. Select the file from your device and you will be directed to a new page where you can name the contextual layer. After naming your contextual layer, tap “Import Layer” at the bottom of the screen.


- Your custom contextual layer will automatically import. You can find it under “Custom Layers” on the manage contextual layers page.

Learn more about sharing custom basemaps and contextual layers with another device here.
Hand graphic by Rawpixel.