Algonquin Adventures / Jeff’s Avenza maps are about to stop working

http://www.youtube.com/user/kayakcamper · **Posted by Uppa** 3/21/2026 6:10 pm

… unless you start paying Avenza a yearly subscription. Starting next week, free Avenza users are allowed zero custom imported maps.

**Posted by iainwf** 3/22/2026 8:24 am

I saw this a few nights ago but when I went looking for it again I couldn't find it so nice to know I didn't dream it

**Posted by Rob** 3/23/2026 3:25 am

I used to have a much better understanding of these things. What I want to know is will my topo maps still work with the "You are here dot" as they do now

**Posted by Rob** 3/23/2026 5:51 am

I used to have a much better understanding of these things. What I want to know is will my topo maps still work with the "You are here dot" as they do now

**Posted by TripperMike** 3/23/2026 10:30 am

Rob wrote:
I used to have a much better understanding of these things. What I want to know is will my topo maps still work with the "You are here dot" as they do now

As long as the map has come from Avenza's map store, and not a foreign source upload (such as Jeff's) then yes, your Topo's should still work with a gps locator.

**Posted by jeffreym** 3/25/2026 11:37 am

Whoops, I just saw this thread.

As TripperMike said

- If you purchase a map through the Avenza Map Store (including free purchases) then those maps will continue to work with no changes.

- If you get a map from any other source then it will no longer work without paying them a subscription fee. So, for instance if you loaded in a map from me, if you annotate a topo on your computer, or if you uploaded an AFA logging map, those will no longer work unless you pay them

The great news is that I will be supporting additional apps. The one I am currently looking at is ArcGIS Earth, since it has the same core functionality as Avenza Maps but is completely free.

I am going away on vacation today, but I will be working on this once I return in early April. So, I expect I should have everything ready for the start of the paddling season =)

**Posted by Peek** 4/22/2026 5:41 pm

Well, it happened.

My Avenza app updated automatically overnight, and all my custom maps have become 'inactive'.

I can still view the maps on my device, but I have no access to the draw/measure tools, no tracking, and no GPS capabilities.

Honestly I'm surprised I was still able to view the map at all, I thought it would be completely dead unless you pay.

My advice would be to avoid updating a venza until you absolutely have to.

**Posted by MartinG** 4/22/2026 7:23 pm

Peek wrote:
Well, it happened.

My Avenza app updated automatically overnight, and all my custom maps have become 'inactive'.

I can still view the maps on my device, but I have no access to the draw/measure tools, no tracking, and no GPS capabilities.

Honestly I'm surprised I was still able to view the map at all, I thought it would be completely dead unless you pay.

My advice would be to avoid updating a venza until you absolutely have to.

Can't you just navigate through Algonquin by memory? You've been everywhere!

**Posted by captainchaos2000** 4/22/2026 9:23 pm

My phone is so old maybe it won't support an Avenza update. Haven't seen it so far.

**Posted by jeffreym** 4/22/2026 10:13 pm

Thanks for the update Peek.

I’m hoping to start supporting ArcGIS Earth towards the end of next week if all goes well =)

One other plot twist - Avenza was bought out last week and has announced that they are pivoting their business. Going forward they are shifting Avenza Maps so that is no longer focused on outdoor recreation. Instead it will become an enterprise GIS data collection app. As part of this, the in-app map store will be closing.

Makes me verrrry happy that I didn’t sell maps through their store. My understanding is that users will eventually lose access to any maps they purchased from there.

Last edited by jeffreym (4/22/2026 10:36 pm)