Published on 8 April 2024

Maps and data

The swisstopo app shows all National Maps of Switzerland, aerial photographs, aeronautical charts, geological and historical maps from swisstopo. These maps have supplements with numerous additional information relating to hiking, cycling, snow sports, geology and aviation. You can find more detailed information about the content here: Contents and functions of the swisstopo app

Setting up a map

In the «Maps and data» menu, you can set the background map and additional information that you want to display on the screen.

There, you will find a range of topics containing specific content and information that you can choose whether or not to display. This will help you to find what you are looking for more easily. Topics are:
• Hiking
• Cycling
• Snowsport
• Geology
• Aviation
• Historical

The key layers are already selected by default. For instance, hiking trails and path closures are displayed by default, along with the national map as the background.

Under the «Pro» keyword in the «Maps and data» menu, all content in the swisstopo app is shown in a menu. You can also choose to set transparency for the overlaid routes and information.

The «i» information icon provides you with a more detailed description of the data shown for the relevant background, route or information layers.

Tip: Use the «Compare» tool to view and compare two maps of your choice on the same screen. Select your preferred background for the left and right sides of the screen. Move the blue slider in the centre of the screen to change the background.

Tip: Take a journey through time with the swisstopo app. Discover your surroundings through the ages. Follow the Swiss map history on your smartphone.

• Where does the data in the app come from?

  Most of the data is Swiss Federal data. The main data source is the Swiss Federal Geoportal. Further information on the Swiss Federal Geoportal: www.geo.admin.ch. The «i» information icon shows you the origin of the data. The «Base Map» online map contains various points of interest, some of which originate from third-party sources. These are not created or managed by swisstopo. Find out more about the POI here.

• How recent are the maps and information displayed?

  When your device is connected to the Internet, the swisstopo app will always display the most recent data available. The timeliness on display depends on the revision of the respective data and ranges from the approximately 6-yearly updating of the national maps and the annual updating of route data to daily updated information and real-time data.
  Further information

  Tip: To ensure that the most recent data is displayed, make sure to clear your cache regularly.
  This can be done under Settings ➔ Apps ➔ swisstopo ➔ Storage ➔ Clear cache. The data is then downloaded again from the server.

• The map contains incorrect data, or certain data is missing. What can I do?

  Report your suggested corrections directly from the swisstopo app:

  • Select the tool «Changes»
  • Long press on map to set a point and add further points to draw a line.
  • Select «Enter»
  • Briefly describe your suggested correction in the comment field (obligatory) and complete your message with a photo and your e-mail address (optional).

  More information at www.swisstopo.ch/revision

Do you have any further questions? Here is an overview of the most frequently asked questions about the swisstopo app.