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To display User Map Shapes (KML/KMZ Shape files) in ForeFlight Mobile, ensure the file meets these requirements:

KML/KMZ File Requirements

1. File Extension: The file must end in “.kml” or “.kmz.”
2. File Size: The file must be smaller than 200MB.
3. KML Content: The file must contain actual KML elements (points, lines, or shapes) rather than just a URL link to external content.

Example of a Compatible KML File (KML Elements)

A correctly formatted KML file includes the points, lines, or shapes directly in the file, as shown below:

<Document>
    <name>Layer 1</name>
    <Style id="line-000000-6-nodesc-normal">
       <LineStyle>
          <color>ff000000</color>
          <width>6</width>
       </LineStyle>
       <BalloonStyle>
          <text><![CDATA[<h3>$[name]</h3>]]></text>
       </BalloonStyle>
    </Style>
...
 <Placemark>
    <name>Line 19</name>
    <styleUrl>#line-000000-6-nodesc</styleUrl>
    <LineString>
       <tessellate>1</tessellate>
       <coordinates>
       -92.9523325,43.3383432,0
       -92.0501822,44.2968283,0
       -92.2615145,45.3186023,0
...

Example of an Incompatible KML File (URL Link Element)

Files with only a link to external data, like the example below, won’t display in ForeFlight:

<Document>
    <name>Layer 1</name>
    <NetworkLink>
        <name>Practice Areas</name>
        <Link>
            <href>http://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/kml?forcekml=1&amp;mid=1rEoiVDTcLFWYB3SjJ4ZoVCbsyUQ&amp;lid=1TakZuaLBfo</href>
        </Link>
    </NetworkLink>
</Document>

To convert such a file, refer to the article on formatting KML Shape Files with a URL element:

How do I format a KML Shape File that has a URL element in it?

By ensuring the file structure includes direct KML elements rather than URLs, the file will display correctly in ForeFlight.