# Sign in to your maps

Official GBMaps guide for the classic map maker. VectorMaps has a different interface.

Source: https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=sign-in
Updated: 2026-10-22

Already have a GBMaps account? Use the email address attached to your purchase and your password. Signing in does not buy another licence or change your map. If you used to enter just an email address and have never chosen a password, start with Your first password.

![Sign in to your maps — actual GBMaps dialog with example details](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/auth-sign-in.png)

Real GBMaps dialog with an example account. Select a numbered circle for its explanation; View larger makes the wording easier to read.

## 1. Your email address

Use the address used for your map purchase. A personal address and a work address are different accounts, even when they belong to the same person. Check the spelling and the ending, such as .co.uk or .com. The example address in these pictures is not an account to use.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=sign-in#sign-in--email)

## 2. Your password

Enter the password you chose for GBMaps. It is case-sensitive: capital letters and lower-case letters are different. You can paste it or let your password manager fill it in. The same password covers the map types attached to this email address. It is not your email mailbox password.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=sign-in#sign-in--password)

## 3. Show / Hide

Show reveals what you have typed so you can check it; Hide conceals it again. Use this only when nobody nearby can read your screen. This button does not change or submit your password.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=sign-in#sign-in--show)

## 4. Continue to my maps

Checks your details and continues with your map or the saved-map page you were opening. Wait for the check to finish rather than clicking repeatedly. If the password box is empty, Continue starts email verification instead; it does not sign you in using the email address alone.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=sign-in#sign-in--continue)

## 5. Set or reset my password

Use this if you have forgotten your password or have never set one. It opens the code-request screen. You do not need the old password, but you must be able to receive email at the account address.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=sign-in#sign-in--reset)

## 6. Close sign in

The cross closes the box without signing you in. When the box is over the editor, your map remains there, including unsaved changes. Closing the box is not a save. On a separate sign-in page, use its sign-in button to open the box again.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=sign-in#sign-in--close)

## 7. Signed in, but asked to renew?

Sign-in proves which account is yours; a licence gives that account access to a particular map type. You can sign in and see saved maps even if a licence has expired. Use the renewal option for that map type. Do not buy again simply because you have forgotten a password.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=sign-in#sign-in--licence)

### What this looks like

Current GBMaps controls with example maps and account details. Choose View larger to see the details.

![Your map is unlocked — GBMaps controls](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/auth-map-unlocked.png?v=1790670434)

[**Your map is unlocked**](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=sign-in#sign-in--licence)

Your existing access has been recognised for the selected map type. Signing in has not made another purchase.

## Related guides

- [Your first password: keep your existing maps](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=first-password)
- [Forgotten your password?](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=password-reset)
- [Cannot sign in or receive a code?](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=sign-in-problems)
- [Saved maps: access, renewals & new maps](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=saved-access)