# Use the map on a phone or tablet Official GBMaps guide for the classic map maker. VectorMaps has a different interface. Source: https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=mobile-tablet Updated: 2026-10-22 The same map controls adapt to a smaller screen. The map remains above or beside the tool you are using, and the assistant supports both speech and typing. ## 1. Open Tools Choose Tools in the top bar. Select Territories, Map details or the tool you need. More tools contains the remaining menus. The chosen panel uses only the space it needs and scrolls for longer settings. ‹ Tools returns to the list; × closes it to reveal more map. On a wider tablet the tools can sit beside the map. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=mobile-tablet#mobile-tablet--tools) ## 2. Find search, page size and view tabs Choose Tools → Map, page & search for the postcode/place search, Print View, Design, On Google and portrait/landscape/square choices. The map-name control in the top bar opens the map-detail choices; More maps leads to the map catalogue. Undo, Redo and Fit map remain in the compact top controls. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=mobile-tablet#mobile-tablet--page) ## 3. Speak or type Choose Speak in the bottom bar to describe your map, or Map assistant to read and type. The question box is beneath the conversation, with microphone and paperclip beside it. Close the assistant with × to see more of the map. It keeps the conversation; New chat clears the conversation, not your artwork. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=mobile-tablet#mobile-tablet--assistant) ## 4. Follow Show me where A Show me where button reveals the correct tool in the mobile menu and highlights the setting. Follow the highlighted control, then close the tool to review the map. It does not apply the setting for you. If your map does not offer that setting, the assistant explains this instead. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=mobile-tablet#mobile-tablet--guided) ## 5. Save, open and access Use Tools → Save & download or Open a map. The account control provides sign-in or your signed-in account menu. Unlock opens the usual purchase choices. Team size, upgrades and payments work in scrollable dialogs; read their heading and quote before continuing. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=mobile-tablet#mobile-tablet--save) ## 6. When space is tight Hide the on-screen keyboard after typing to regain map space. Scroll within a long tool or dialog to reach its bottom actions. Turn the device to landscape when that gives a better view. The desktop layout returns on wider screens; the underlying map and saved settings are the same. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=mobile-tablet#mobile-tablet--keyboard) ### What this looks like Current GBMaps controls with example maps and account details. Choose View larger to see the details. ![Tools on a phone — GBMaps controls](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/help-20261022-tools-390.png?v=1792654464) [**Tools on a phone**](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=mobile-tablet#mobile-tablet--tools) Choose one tool at a time. More tools contains the remaining editor menus. ![Tools beside the map on a tablet — GBMaps controls](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/help-20261022-tools-834.png?v=1792654464) [**Tools beside the map on a tablet**](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=mobile-tablet#mobile-tablet--tools) A wider compact view keeps the map and tool list side by side. ![Map details on a phone — GBMaps controls](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/help-20261022-details-390.png?v=1792654463) [**Map details on a phone**](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=mobile-tablet#mobile-tablet--guided) The selected tool expands to fit its controls; close it to give the map more room. ![The current assistant on a tablet — GBMaps controls](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/help-20261022-assistant-834.png?v=1792654463) [**The current assistant on a tablet**](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=mobile-tablet#mobile-tablet--assistant) Read the conversation above the composer. Speech, file attachments and typing use the same assistant. ## Related guides - [Ask the map assistant](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=map-assistant) - [Speak a request and let the assistant work](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=assistant-voice) - [Print View, Design & On Google](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=views) - [Move, zoom & frame the map](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=map-gestures) - [Portrait, landscape & square pages](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=orientation) - [Save, open & keep a separate copy](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=save) - [Buy, unlock or renew a map](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=payments)