# CartoExplorer \| maps \| GPS — Hiking Outdoor Navigation

> Outdoor navigation app with diverse maps, route planning, and offline capabilities. (iPhone/iPad app by Lucas Miller.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cartoexplorer-maps-gps/id6743994095 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Lucas Miller](https://appshunter.io/developer/1805445259)
- Category: Navigation, Travel
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 65 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France)
- Released: 2025-08-01
- Data updated: 2026-08-01
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cartoexplorer-maps-gps/id6743994095/reviews.md

## What is CartoExplorer | maps | GPS?

Discover CartoExplorer, the mapping app designed to accompany you on all your outdoor adventures.
Wherever you are, thanks to its wide range of maps (USGS, Europe, worldwide), and whatever your activity (hiking, skiing, cycling…), from planning on your computer to tracking your progress on your mobile, CartoExplorer will quickly become your trusted partner in the field.
Easy to use, CartoExplorer is a complete application that adapts to your needs.

Explore the world with a rich variety of maps.
CartoExplorer provides direct access to a vast library of high-quality base maps tailored for all your exploration and geographic analysis needs:

- USGS Maps (United States): Navigate the vast territories of the U.S. with topographic maps from the United States Geological Survey (USGS).   
- IGN Maps (France): Benefit from the precision and detail of the National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information’s maps. Please note that access to certain IGN maps (IGN Maps, Topo25, and OACI) requires a specific subscription.

- SwissTopo Maps (Switzerland): Discover the legendary accuracy of Swiss Federal Office of Topography’s maps.

- IGN Maps (Spain): Explore the Iberian Peninsula with topographic maps from Spain’s National Geographic Institute (IGN).

- World Maps: Travel across the globe with the power of OpenStreetMap and a wide variety of specialized base layers built on its data.
among many others.

CartoExplorer doesn’t just offer exceptional maps. It also provides a suite of intuitive and powerful tools to plan, record, and analyze your activities in the field:

- Create and save tracks: Plan your routes easily directly on the map. Draw paths freehand or follow existing trails. Record your GPS movements in real time, view your track on the map, and monitor key data. Export and share your tracks in GPX format for use on other devices and platforms.

 - Follow tracks in real time: Import GPX tracks or select a created route and let CartoExplorer guide you. View your current position on the track and get real-time updates on remaining distance and estimated arrival time.

 - Place precise markers: Mark important points of interest on your map — summits, springs, viewpoints, campsites, incidents, and more. Customize markers with colors, names, icons, and descriptions. View GPS coordinates and easily share them with other users.

- Define areas with polygons: Outline specific zones on the map by drawing polygons. Automatically calculate their surface area. Useful for identifying search zones, delimiting plots, or planning operations in targeted territories.

- Manage your offline maps: Never let a lack of internet connection limit your explorations. CartoExplorer offers simple yet powerful offline management: automatic caching of viewed maps and precise offline downloads where you select the exact region you want to store locally.



Some of these features (sharing, tracking, offline mode, etc.) are not available in the free version of the app. Unlock the full potential of CartoExplorer with our Premium subscription (€19.99/year) or Duo subscription (€29.99/year).

## Key features

- Extensive map library (USGS, IGN, SwissTopo, World)
- Route planning and saving
- Real-time track following
- Precise marker placement
- Polygon area calculation
- Offline map management

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $17.99 | per year |
| Premium + IGN | $24.99 | per year |
| Duo | $24.99 | per year |
| Duo + IGN | $34.99 | per year |


## Recent user reviews (7 of 7)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cartoexplorer-maps-gps/id6743994095/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Top

*2026-03-10*

Application qui évolue rapidement grace à une équipe à l’écoute, dynamique et réactive, merci

**Developer response:** être a votre écoute est le meilleur moyen pour nous d'aller dans la bonne direction. Merci pour ce retour

### 5/5 — Super application, très pratique et intuitive 👍🏼

*2026-01-15*

Super application, très pratique et intuitive 👍🏼

**Developer response:** Merci pour le retour

### 5/5 — Super application

*2025-12-03*

Belle surprise après ma déception de la reprise d’iphigenie par une société qui l’a délaissé un peu. Je vais switcher rapidement car cette app est bien fichue, fluide et simple.

**Developer response:** Merci pour votre retour.

### 5/5 — Précis et fiable

*2025-11-21*

Super appli les cartes sont top facile d’utilisation et un manuel très complet surtout quand on débute

**Developer response:** Nous nous donnons beaucoup de mal pour proposer ce manuel, Merci pour votre message :-D

### 5/5 — Super

*2025-11-19*

Enfin une appli simple, fiable précise et moderne.

**Developer response:** Merci :-D

### 5/5 — Super appli !

*2025-11-10*

Parfait pour avoir accès à toutes les cartes IGN en direct et planifier ses itinéraires

**Developer response:** Merci :-D

### 5/5 — Fiable, simple et ultra complète

*2025-11-03*

Super appli ! Fiable, précise, complète et ergonomique. 
Les cartes IGN sont top, la navigation parfaite, beaucoup de fonds de carte, et le mode hors ligne vraiment pratique.

**Developer response:** Merci pour votre message qui nous conforte dans nos orientations.

## Frequently asked questions about CartoExplorer | maps | GPS

### What types of maps does CartoExplorer offer?

CartoExplorer provides access to a wide range of high-quality base maps, including USGS Maps for the United States, IGN Maps for France and Spain, SwissTopo Maps for Switzerland, and OpenStreetMap for worldwide coverage.

### Can I use CartoExplorer without an internet connection?

Yes, CartoExplorer offers robust offline map management. You can cache viewed maps automatically or download specific regions for precise offline use, ensuring navigation even without an internet connection.

### How can I plan and save routes with CartoExplorer?

You can easily plan your routes directly on the map by drawing paths freehand or following existing trails. CartoExplorer allows you to record your GPS movements in real-time, view your track, and export it in GPX format.

### What are the subscription options for CartoExplorer?

CartoExplorer offers several subscription plans, including Premium, Duo, Premium + IGN, and Duo + IGN, with annual pricing options ranging from $17.99 to $34.99.

### Does CartoExplorer have ads?

No, CartoExplorer does not contain advertisements. The app is free to download and use, with optional in-app purchases for advanced features and map access.

### What devices is CartoExplorer compatible with?

CartoExplorer is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It also has compatibility with Mac devices.

### How often is CartoExplorer updated?

The latest version of CartoExplorer is 26.7.2, and it was last updated on June 30, 2026. This indicates a consistent update schedule.

### What is the age rating for CartoExplorer?

CartoExplorer has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users, including younger individuals exploring the outdoors.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 26.7.3 — 2026-07-02

Fix:
  - crash if a mbtile file is corrupted.

### 26.7.2 — 2026-06-30

### Marks

Big evolution for the benchmarks. From the configuration page, the application now manages the entry of all coordinate formats. The format selected in the settings becomes the default format displayed.

### Improvement

- The trace editor retains the configuration of the tool from one edition to another.
- A long press on the screen makes it possible to make invisible all the objects (traces, markers, polygons, sliders, buttons...). They reappear when the support is released.
- A long press on the button that allows to refocus the map now allows cutting the location and thus to make disappear the position marker of the map.

## # Various corrections

* Fixed a bug for MBtiles layers that returned a gray screen.
* Fixed a screen refresh bug when recording trace (the move is again visible and indicated by a stroke).

### 26.6.1 — 2026-06-04

Version 26.6 - Various fixes and improvements

# Maps
## New layers in the IGN Forestry group:
- Forest Mask V1 2021-2023
- Ancient Forests
- Forest Accessibility SKIDDER
- Forest Accessibility FORWARDER

## New layer in the IGN Relief group:
- Contour Lines

## New DFCI 34 group with associated layers:
- DFCI firefighting tracks
- DFCI tracks (access/route/liaison)
- DFCI support zone tracks
- openDFCI tracks
- openDFCI water points

# Settings
- Added a setting to keep the screen on. A button to control this setting can be added to the real-time data dashboard.
- Added a setting to shift the position cursor downward, allowing more map to be visible in the upper part of the screen. Useful when using the CAP or AZ map orientation modes.

# Miscellaneous
- Added a notification with a progress bar when loading a cache (currently Android only).
- Added altitude for waypoints. From the waypoint block's more menu, it is now possible to pin a waypoint to retrieve its altitude using the Digital Elevation Model.
- Added the full name of objects in the detail sheet for tracks, waypoints and polygons.
- When moving one or more elements, the list of possible destinations is now sorted alphabetically.
- Minor change in custom layers: the gear icon replaces the pencil, and the selection square is moved to the end of the line.
- New unit added: angles. They can be displayed in degrees or milliradians.
- Fixed a bug when importing tracks with only a few timestamped points.

### 26.4.4 — 2026-04-12

### Version 26.4.0 - MBTiles Import and New Features

## Maps and Markers
- MBTiles Import: Ability to create your own map layers by importing MBTiles files.
- Visual improvements to the compass tool (better distance circles and data visualization).
- Disabled marker reminders upon import.
- Fixed display issues for long text markers.
- Hiding a tracked marker now automatically disables its tracking.

## Tracks and Recording
- Improved elevation profile frame for better data visibility during track editing.
- Track recording now uses the latest filtering algorithm.
- Better visibility of detailed profile info in the track creation tool.
- Hiding a tracked route now automatically disables its tracking.

## Settings and General
- New units: Added the ability to select angle units (degrees, NATO mils) in settings.
- Removed minimum zoom restriction in the cache creation tool.
- Fixed catalog data refresh bug.
- Fixed scale value display.

### 26.3.2 — 2026-03-04

Version 26.3.0 - Miscellaneous Fixes and Improvements
Maps
- Improved image quality for maps at exact zoom levels.
- Implementation of a new access key for the OACI base layer provided by IGN.
- New overlays for France in the IGN - Foncier section:
	- CLPA - Témoignages
	- CLPA - Interprétation des phénomènes passés
	CLPA  = Carte de Localisation des Phénomènes d’Avalanches.

Tracks
- Added the following information to the Details sheet:
	- Recording duration (if the track was recorded).
	- Pause time calculation.
	- Number of points composing the track.
- Improved track data processing.

Settings
- Added a new "Advanced Settings" section.
- Within "CartoExplorer" Advanced Settings, users can now configure the smoothing threshold for elevation gain calculations.
- Direct access to the FAQ.

Improvements
- Folders are now sorted alphabetically.
- Manual caches are now sorted alphabetically.
- Added a specific badge to indicate when the application is paused.
- Optimized the MNTALTI layer for better fluidity and performance.

Bug Fixes
- Disabled "Auto-center on position" when using the "Go to" feature from the catalog.
- Disabled "Auto-center on position" when displaying search results.
- Bug affecting the import of text markers solved.
- Various other minor fixes and stability improvements.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-01.*
