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Move your Google Maps saved lists to GoStash

This guide walks you through importing your Google Maps saved lists (Want to go, Favorites, and custom lists) into GoStash in one batch.

You'll need a computer with a browser. It takes about 10 minutes, and it's a one-time move.

How it works

Google Maps can't export saved lists as a file that apps can read directly. The trick is to load them into Google My Maps first — Google attaches the location (coordinates) to each place there — then download the result as a KML file and import it into GoStash.

  1. Export your saved lists as CSV with Google Takeout
  2. Import the CSV into My Maps (this adds the locations)
  3. Download it as a KML file
  4. Pick that file in GoStash's "Import places"

1. Export your lists as CSV

  1. Open Google Takeout and sign in with the same account you use for Google Maps
  2. Click Deselect all, then check only Saved
  3. Scroll down, click Next step, and create the export
  4. You'll get an email shortly. Download and unzip the archive — Takeout/Saved/ contains one CSV file per list

If you can't find "Favorites", "Want to go", or "Starred places", also check Maps (your places) in Takeout.

2. Import into My Maps (attach locations)

  1. Open Google My Maps and click Create a new map
  2. Click Import on a layer and choose the CSV from step 1
  3. When asked which column positions your placemarks, choose Title (the URL column is not an address, so it won't work); for the marker title, also choose Title
  4. Once the import finishes, make sure pins actually appear on the map. If you continue without pins, the exported file will have no locations

If some rows didn't get a pin, open the warning on that row in the left panel and set the location manually. To move multiple lists, add a layer and repeat the import (or split them across maps).

3. Download as a KML file

  1. Open the menu (⋮) next to the map name and choose Export to KML/KMZ
  2. Check "Export as KML instead of KMZ" and download

If you forget the checkbox and end up with a KMZ, that's fine — GoStash imports it too.

4. Import into GoStash

  1. Put the downloaded file somewhere your phone can reach (iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or your Downloads folder)
  2. Open GoStash and go to Settings → Import places
  3. Tap Choose a file and select the file — you'll see a preview of what will be imported
  4. Tap Import. Your places are saved, and a group is created from each list name (if a group with the same name already exists, places join it)

Notes

  • Places whose location couldn't be determined are saved by name only and won't appear on the map. You can attach a location later from the edit screen
  • If the import preview says 0 places can be shown on the map, the locations weren't attached in step 2. Go back to My Maps, make sure pins appear, and redo the export
  • Occasionally a pin lands on a different place with the same name. You can fix it with the map picker on the edit screen
  • Notes and URLs from your lists come along too — URLs land in the item's link list
  • KMZ and GeoJSON files work with the same steps
  • The free plan stores up to 1,000 places. If your file has more, GoStash tells you before importing

If anything goes wrong, contact us at support@kamo-it.org.

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