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Module 11: Troubleshooting & FAQ
Solutions for common issues encountered in the field and answers to frequently asked questions.
1. Installation & Authentication
"The app won't install as a PWA"
- iOS: Open in Safari (not Chrome). Tap the Share button → "Add to Home Screen".
- Android: Open in Chrome. Tap the 3-dot menu → "Install app" or "Add to Home Screen".
- Desktop: Look for the install icon in the browser address bar.
- PWA installation requires HTTPS. Ensure you're accessing the app via
https://.
"I can't sign in"
- Verify your email and password.
- Check your internet connection — initial sign-in requires connectivity.
- If you registered as a Pending user, your account needs admin approval before you can access the workspace.
- Guest mode is available for offline-only work without an account.
"I'm signed in but can't see any projects"
- Ensure you're in the correct Workspace. Use the Workspace Switcher in the sidebar.
- Check with your administrator that your account has been approved.
- Your role may restrict visibility — Viewers and Collectors see projects but may not create them.
2. Map & Drawing
"The map is blank or tiles aren't loading"
- Check your internet connection. The basemap requires connectivity unless you've cached tiles offline.
- Try switching the basemap source (OpenStreetMap, Satellite, etc.).
- Open Settings → Clear Offline Cache, then re-download tiles.
- If on a slow connection, wait 10–15 seconds for tiles to load.
"My GPS position is inaccurate"
- Move outdoors or near a window — GPS accuracy improves with clear sky visibility.
- Enable GPS Accuracy Indicator in Settings to monitor signal quality (green = good, red = poor).
- Wait 10–20 seconds for the GPS to stabilize before placing a feature.
- Avoid placing features while moving — stand still for best accuracy.
"Features I drew aren't showing on the map"
- Ensure the layer is visible. Check the Layer Visibility panel on the map.
- Zoom in — features may be clustered at lower zoom levels. Try disabling Feature Clustering in Settings.
- Check that you're viewing the correct project.
"The drawing toolbar is missing"
- Check Settings → Hide Drawing Toolbar. If enabled, the toolbar is hidden and you use the radial menu (long-press on the map) instead.
- Toggle the setting off to restore the floating toolbar.
"Split/Merge tools aren't available"
- Enable Advanced Edit in Settings to show the spatial edit tools.
- These tools require at least 2 features (for merge) or a line intersecting a polygon (for split).
3. Forms & Data Entry
"A field type is locked and can't be changed"
- Once a field has collected data, its type is locked to protect data integrity.
- To change the type: delete the field and recreate it with the new type.
- Warning: Deleting a field permanently removes its data from all existing features.
"My Lexicon dropdown isn't showing options"
- Ensure the Lexicon has been created in the Lexicon panel.
- Verify the field is linked to the correct Lexicon (check the field edit dialog).
- Lexicon Picklists require Pro subscription.
"Smart Logic rules aren't working"
- Ensure the Source Field has a value before the Target Field can appear.
- Check that the condition matches exactly (case-sensitive for "equals").
- Simple mode rules cost 1 AI credit to generate.
- Smart Logic requires Pro subscription.
4. Data Import & Export
"My imported file has no features on the map"
- Verify the file contains valid geometry data (coordinates).
- For CSV/Excel imports: check that latitude/longitude columns were correctly mapped in the wizard.
- Ensure the correct CRS (Coordinate Reference System) was selected — WGS84 is the default.
- Very large files (50MB+) may take time to process.
"Exported CSV doesn't have coordinates"
- Coordinates are included as separate columns (latitude, longitude) in the CSV export.
- For full geometry preservation, use GeoJSON or GeoPackage export formats.
"GeoPackage import fails"
- Ensure the file is a valid SQLite-based GeoPackage (
.gpkg). - Files larger than 50MB trigger a warning — confirm to proceed.
- The system checks the file signature, so the file extension does not always need to be correct.
5. Sync & Collaboration
"Local P2P sync isn't connecting"
- Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network (or hotspot).
- Verify the IP address and port (default: 8080) match between host and sender.
- Check that no firewall or VPN is blocking local network connections.
- Try creating a mobile hotspot from one device and connecting the other.
"Cloud sync isn't working"
- Cloud sync requires Pro subscription and internet connectivity.
- Verify you're signed in (not in Guest mode).
- Check the project's storage mode — local-only projects don't sync to cloud.
- Look for the sync status indicator on the Dashboard.
"I can't invite team members"
- Only Owners and Admins can invite members.
- Invitations are sent to the email address — the recipient must create an account and accept.
- Pending invitations appear in the Members tab until accepted.
6. Geova AI Chat
"Geova AI gives unexpected answers"
- Use
@Layerand#Columnmentions for precision. - Check the Data Dictionary (Layers → Schema) to ensure field aliases and units are configured.
- Tap "Go Deeper" to re-run with a structured analysis template when one is available.
- Review the SQL Query in the expandable section to verify what was executed.
"AI says 'Out of Credits'"
- Each useful answer costs 1 credit. Clarifications and errors are not billed.
- Purchase more credits via Account → Recharge or the Upgrade prompt.
"AI results disappeared"
- AI results are temporary and stored in session memory.
- To preserve results permanently, tap "Add to Mapplex" to save them as a project layer.
- Re-run the query if the results have expired.
7. Performance
"The app is slow with many features"
- Data tables load 50 rows at a time to reduce browser load.
- Enable Feature Clustering in Settings to group nearby features at lower zoom levels.
- Zoom into the area you are reviewing so fewer features are visible at once.
- Turn off layers that are not needed for the current task.
"The app crashed or froze"
- Force-close and reopen the app.
- If persistent: clear the offline cache via Settings → Clear Offline Cache.
- Ensure your device has sufficient free storage (at least 500MB recommended).
- On older devices, disable Map Rotation and Feature Clustering to reduce GPU load.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mapplex work offline?
Yes. Mapplex is an offline-first PWA. You can collect data, fill forms, draw features, and navigate the map without internet. Cloud sync, Geova AI, and team features require connectivity.
How many devices can I use?
Each account supports up to 2 trusted devices. Manage devices in Account → Device Management.
What file formats does Mapplex support?
| Action | Formats |
|---|---|
| Import | GeoJSON, KMZ/KML, GeoPackage, CSV, Excel (.xlsx/.xls), DXF, SHP ZIP or SHP component files |
| Export | GeoJSON, KMZ, GeoPackage, CSV, DXF, SHP ZIP |
| Schema Import | JSON, GeoJSON, CSV, KMZ/KML, GeoPackage |
Is my data secure?
- Local project data is stored on your device in the browser's IndexedDB storage.
- Geova Cloud applies workspace-level access controls, so users can access only the data available to their workspace.
- Geova AI is routed through the Mapplex backend and charged against workspace credits.
- Limited schema details, sample field values, and location context may be sent when needed for an AI request.
- Full datasets and geometries are not sent automatically for ordinary chat planning.
What languages are supported?
English and Arabic (with full RTL layout support). Set the language in Settings → Language.
Can I use Mapplex on desktop?
Yes. Mapplex runs as a PWA in any modern browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox). The interface is responsive and adapts to desktop/tablet layouts with a rail navigation.
Need more help? Tap Help in the sidebar to access the Interactive Tour or visit the online documentation at geova.net/docs.