GoGIS FAQ: Mobile GIS on iPhone, iPad & Mac

Direct answers about importing GIS files, collecting field data, working offline, using forms, and exporting data with GoGIS.

What is GoGIS?

GoGIS is a GIS app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It is designed for field mapping, GPS data collection, asset inspection, soil sampling, reference data review, and working with GIS files away from a desktop GIS; on Mac it is useful for reviewing files, organizing layers, and exporting data at a larger screen.

GoGIS focuses on practical field workflows: import your data, inspect it on the map, collect or edit records, attach photos or forms, then export the result for use elsewhere.

Does GoGIS run on Mac?

Yes. GoGIS can also run on Mac, which is useful when you want to review GIS files, organize layers, inspect attributes, or export data on a larger screen.

The field collection workflows are still centered on iPhone and iPad, where GPS, touch mapping, photos, and field forms are most useful.

If I buy GoGIS, can I install it on my iPhone, iPad, and Mac?

Yes. GoGIS is purchased through the App Store and is tied to your Apple account.

That means you can install GoGIS on your compatible iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices using the same Apple account, without buying a separate copy for each device.

Can I open shapefiles on an iPhone or iPad?

Yes. GoGIS can import zipped shapefiles directly on iPhone and iPad.

A shapefile should normally be provided as a ZIP containing the related files, such as .shp, .shx, .dbf, and preferably .prj. GoGIS imports the geometry, reads the attributes, and lets you view, search, style, and export the layer. See the shapefile guide for the full workflow.

Can GoGIS open GeoPackage files?

Yes. GoGIS can import GeoPackage files on iPhone and iPad.

GeoPackage is a modern GIS container format that can hold one or more vector layers in a single .gpkg file. GoGIS can import those layers so you can view features, inspect attributes, and work with them on-device. See the GeoPackage guide.

What GIS file formats does GoGIS support?

GoGIS supports common mobile GIS formats including zipped shapefiles, GeoPackage, GeoJSON, KML, KMZ, and CSV files with coordinates.

Format support depends on the type of data and the workflow, but the goal is to let you use files from government GIS portals, desktop GIS exports, consultants, field crews, and cloud storage without needing a desktop computer in the field.

Does GoGIS work offline?

Yes. GoGIS is built for offline fieldwork.

Imported layers are stored locally on the device. GPS, attribute viewing, data collection, measurements, custom forms, Related Forms, and cached basemap tiles can all work without cell service or Wi-Fi. For more detail, read Offline Maps for Fieldwork.

Can I save USGS and GSI imagery for offline use?

Yes. GoGIS can save tile basemaps for offline use before you leave cell service.

Supported sources include USGS aerial imagery and topo tiles in the United States, GSI map imagery in Japan, and custom tile servers. Open the map area you need, download it while you still have a connection, and keep mapping with those saved tiles in the field.

How does Field Sync work?

Field Sync lets two nearby GoGIS devices exchange project changes directly. It is designed for small crews, paired field devices, or one person keeping an iPhone and iPad aligned without requiring a cloud account.

Each device packages the records it has changed, transfers that package to the selected peer, receives the peer's package, and applies the incoming records on-device. The sync is per-record, so new features, edits, deleted records, folders, layer definitions, photos, related form definitions, and related form entries can move as part of the project state.

For best results, keep GoGIS open on both devices until both sides report that sending, receiving, and applying changes are complete.

Can two people edit the same record?

Yes, but GoGIS does not currently do a per-field merge. If two devices edit the same record before syncing, the newer record version wins when changes are applied. That keeps the workflow simple and predictable, but teams should coordinate when editing the same asset or inspection record.

Can I collect GPS field data with GoGIS?

Yes. GoGIS can collect GPS field data on iPhone and iPad.

You can create or edit points, lines, and polygons, fill attribute forms, capture photos, scan barcodes, add signatures, and export the collected data. This makes GoGIS useful for inspections, site visits, field inventories, crop scouting, utility work, environmental surveys, and soil sampling. See GPS Field Data Collection.

Does GoGIS show GPS accuracy while I collect data?

Yes. GoGIS can show live GPS accuracy while you collect points or navigate to sampling locations.

When a point is collected, GoGIS can store the accuracy with the record so you can tell later how reliable that observation was.

Can I make custom data collection forms?

Yes. GoGIS supports custom data collection forms.

Forms can be set up for repeatable, structured field entry instead of typing free-form notes every time. Depending on your form design, you can collect text, numbers, dates, pick-list values, photos, barcodes, signatures, GPS-derived values, formulas, and conditional fields. See the custom forms guide.

Can GoGIS calculate values in a form?

Yes. GoGIS forms can calculate values from the current form, the base feature attributes, or related records attached to the same feature.

For example, a spray form can calculate Total Cost from acres, rate, and unit cost. An inspection form can calculate Days Since Last Inspection from a previous related entry. A related form can also show a read-only reference value, such as acres from the base feature or a planted date from another form.

Can forms show or hide fields based on answers?

Yes. Conditional visibility rules can keep phone-sized forms focused on the questions that matter right now.

For example, choosing Leak from an issue pick list can reveal leak-specific questions while hiding vegetation or access questions. A Days Since calculation can hide the rest of a follow-up section until enough days have elapsed since the previous visit.

What are Related Forms?

Related Forms let one GIS feature have many repeatable records attached to it.

For example, one asset can have many inspections, one meter can have many readings, one field can have many scouting visits, and one sampling project can have many sample records. The parent feature stays on the map while the repeated records stay linked to it. See Related Forms for mobile GIS.

Can GoGIS collect photos with GIS features?

Yes. GoGIS can collect photos as part of field data workflows.

Photos can document field conditions, assets, damage, samples, inspection evidence, or site notes. They are most useful when paired with GPS, attributes, and consistent forms so the exported data is easy to interpret later.

Can I digitize lines and polygons on iPad?

Yes. GoGIS can digitize points, lines, and polygons on iPhone and iPad.

You can use this for mapping boundaries, drawing field observations, sketching work areas, outlining features, or creating new GIS geometry directly in the field.

Can GoGIS handle large shapefiles?

Yes. GoGIS is designed to handle large spatial datasets on mobile devices.

Large county parcel layers, infrastructure layers, and environmental datasets can be used on-device, although performance depends on device model, layer complexity, geometry size, and the number of visible layers. Read Loading Large Shapefiles for tips.

Can I use GoGIS for soil sampling?

Yes. GoGIS can support soil sampling workflows on iPhone and iPad.

You can work with fields, grids, GPS sample points, forms, barcode values, and exports for later processing. See Mobile Soil Sampling.

Can GoGIS import reference data like FEMA flood zones, wetlands, soils, and minerals?

Yes. GoGIS includes reference data import tools for several public datasets.

Reference sources can include FEMA flood data, wetlands, soils, minerals, rivers, and other public layers depending on region and availability. Some services require you to zoom in closely before importing because public GIS servers may time out or reject very large requests.

Can GoGIS export GIS data?

Yes. GoGIS can export GIS data for use outside the app.

Export options can include common formats such as GeoJSON, KML, shapefile, and CSV depending on the layer and workflow. Related Form exports keep child records connected to the parent GIS feature using a shared GoGIS ID. See Linking Related Form CSVs.

Does GoGIS require an account or subscription?

No. GoGIS is designed as a one-time purchase with no subscription required.

You can use local GIS files, offline maps, GPS, forms, and exports without creating an account. Some optional collaboration or cloud workflows may depend on app features and future services, but the core field GIS workflow does not require a subscription.

Where can I download GoGIS?

You can download GoGIS from the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and supported Macs.

The App Store listing is here: GoGIS on the App Store.