iOS from version 10
Android from version 8

The swisstopo app is free charge available at the Apple App Store for iOS devices or from the Google Play Store for Android ones. All functions of the app and offline use of the maps are included.

The app can be downloaded and installed free of charge from the App Store for iOS devices or from the Google Play Store for Android devices.

Search in the App Store or the Google Play Store for "swisstopo".

German, French, Italian and English.
The language of the app depends on the general language setting you determined for your device.

No. The app does not have its own Facebook or Twitter account. However, swisstopo communicates via the Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social media channels.

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

A detailed list of the functionalities can be found here: swisstopo app information page

Yes, you must select the + sign under "Tours" and then "Draw tour". Thanks to the "Smartdrawing" function, drawing is very easy; the tour automatically follows the road and path network. Additionally, the app shows the length, altitude difference, and a calculated approximate walking time.

Set the tour type to Hiking to have the time calculation and tour drawing support optimised for hikes and activities on foot.

The calculated duration of a tour is based on the official hiking time calculation of the Swiss Hiking Federation and takes into account both hiking distance and metres in altitude. Minor deviations from the walking times indicated on the hiking trail signs cannot be ruled out. You can adjust the calculation to your personal walking pace.

In Hiking mode, hiking trails are preferred when drawing a route. However, routes that are difficult to walk cannot be excluded. You should check the drawn route for each tour and set sufficient intermediate points.

Set the tour type to "Cycling" to have the time calculation and tour drawing support optimised for bikes on paved roads.

The calculated duration of a tour is based on the riding time calculation of "Cycling in Switzerland" with average bicycle tyres. It takes into account the estimated basic speed on a horizontal route, the route profile, as well as the air and rolling resistance. By default, 18 km/h is used as the basic speed. You can adjust this to your personal speed.

In "Cycling" mode, routes with hard surfaces are preferred when drawing a route. The route is drawn independently of official cycle paths, driving bans or other traffic rules. Routes that are difficult to ride cannot be excluded. You should check the drawn route for each tour and set sufficient intermediate points.

Set the tour type to "Mountainbiking" to have the time calculation and tour drawing support optimised for mountain bikes.

The calculated duration of a tour is based on the riding time calculation of "Cycling in Switzerland" with wider bike tyres. It takes into account the estimated basic speed on a horizontal route, the route profile, as well as the air and rolling resistance. By default, 16 km/h is used as the basic speed. You can adjust this to your personal speed.

In "Mountainbiking" mode, no type of surface is preferred when drawing a route. The route is drawn independently of official mountain bike trails, driving bans or other traffic rules. Routes that are difficult to ride cannot be excluded. You should check the drawn route for each tour and set sufficient intermediate points.

The distance and the height difference are calculated using map data and a digital elevation model. The calculated time is a result of a formula of the Swiss Hiking Federation or "Cycling in Switzerland". All values are approximate, which may differ from reality and from calculated values in other applications.

Yes, you must select the + sign under "Tours" and then "Record tour". The recording can also be paused during the tour.

The distance and the altitude difference are calculated using GPS data. The time corresponds to the time you needed to make the tour.

Yes, when the tour is opened, a pencil symbol appears at the bottom. If this is selected, the tour can then be changed and the tour name adapted. Recorded tours can only be renamed.

To import a tour, tap on the desired one in your files or in the mail. If several apps are offered to open the file, then choose the swisstopo app and the tour will be imported and displayed at once. Should the file be opened as a text file, than, firstly, tap on the share button again in this view and, secondly, select the swisstopo app.

In the Android version, you can also tap on the plus button in the tours menu, then select “import GPX/KML” and, lastly, open the desired file.

Yes, swipe left to right on a tour in the list of tours, then remove by pressing "Delete".

If you are on a tour, the app automatically switches to "tour guide" mode. The route you have already followed turns grey. The remaining route is red. The expected arrival time at the destination as well as the remaining time, distance and altitude metres to the destination of your tour are also displayed.

Not all devices and operating system versions fulfil the necessary system requirements. On these devices the buttons for the panorama mode are missing in the swisstopo app.

Whether your smartphone supports the necessary AR/VR services you can find on this website: https://developers.google.com/ar/discover/supported-devices

If you start the panorama mode from a marker (any point on the map), you can move in the virtual space to the tapped location by double-tapping.

When starting the panorama mode via the current location, forward movement is not possible.

If the panorama mode started via a tour, you can move along the route by moving your finger along the elevation profile.

On one hand, the camera image is necessary to overlay and label the contours on the camera image. On the other hand, it is also necessary to stabilize the virtual image and to adapt it to the movements you make with the smartphone (optimisation of display). The camera image is neither transferred nor saved.

The term "tags" means "label or sign". Tags are used to categorise content and topics. In the swisstopo app, categorisation is used to make tours or markers clearer and easier to find.

A tag can be given its own name, e.g. "viewpoint". This tag can be assigned to one or more tours or markers so that they can be found more quickly later with the help of a filter.

To create a tag, click on the + next to the heading "Tags" in a tour or marker in edit mode (start editing by clicking on the pencil symbol). Then enter the desired name and press "Add". The created tag will then be available for selection for all other tours or markers.

Tip: Consider beforehand which tags make the most sense for you. Use expressive tags so that you will still know what you meant with the tags several months from now. Emojis can also be used for tags.

Remove tag from individual objects: By clicking on edit tour (pencil symbol) and then on the + next to Tags, the view opens with all assigned tags and the available tags. If you want to remove a tag, simply click on the cross next to the corresponding tag.

Remove tag completely: As long as a tag is assigned in a tour or marker, it appears in the selection list and cannot be deleted there. It disappears automatically as soon as it is no longer assigned in a tour or marker.

Yes.

The swisstopo app is designed for mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, iPad). However, the latest generation of Mac desktop devices (with M1 chip) can also run mobile apps.

Yes. The app is regularly updated to keep up with the evolving operating systems. In addition, further functionalities and content are planned to be implemented, which require updates. Whether updates will run automatically depends on the settings of the respective smartphone.
The stored maps are checked quarterly to ensure that they are up-to-date and are replaced, if necessary.

Yes, storage of map data, tracks and POIs is unlimited. 

The National Map 1:10,000 cannot be saved for offline use because the data volume is very large.

Yes, the storage location for downloaded maps can be selected or changed in the "Offline maps" menu (from version 1.2). Maps that have already been saved are also moved from the internal memory to an SD card or vice versa.

The maps stored on the device are checked quarterly to ensure that they are up-to-date. The update is proposed to the user to trigger it off.

Your maps are then out of date. However, you still have the proposal to update.

The app requires about 50 MB. If maps are stored, additional storage space is required. To store all National Maps of Switzerland, about 18 GB of memory is required. For each additional map background (e.g. National Map Winter, aerial view), an additional 18 GB memory is required.

Depending on the number of maps, a very large data volume is downloaded. The download can take from a few seconds up to several hours, depending on the data connection. We recommend downloading via WLAN if possible.

Reduce the size of the area for which the download should take place.

No, with a few exceptions all functions of the app can be used offline. Even GPS tracking does not require an Internet connection. However, the map content must be downloaded beforehand from the internet. Maps can only be used offline if you have stored them.

The map content must be downloaded beforehand from the internet. Maps can only be used offline if you have stored them.

Yes (Warning: roaming charges may apply). However, the app only contains Swiss map material and only displays map material in border regions abroad.

You can view the power consumption for your use of the app in the settings. Depending on how you use the app, the display and the GPS may require a lot of power.

You can see this in the privacy policy.

Authorisations are queried as soon as they are required by the app. You can see the authorisations granted for the swisstopo app in the operating system settings.
(See also privacy policy)

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

Ubique Innovation AG www.ubique.ch

No. During the development, we attached great importance to ensuring simple operation.

Our support team are happy to help you.
Opening hours: Monday - Friday 10am -7pm
Phone +41 58 469 02 22
Email: support-cd@swisstopo.ch

Uninstall the app and reinstall it.
Important: Save your tours and markers beforehand, otherwise your data will be lost.