PyMapStitcher

Tarek Wasfy

About this app

PyMapStitcher is a practical Android application for selecting map areas, downloading authorized map tiles, and creating georeferenced GeoTIFF files directly on your device. It is designed for GIS users, researchers, surveyors, field teams, developers, and anyone who needs to prepare raster map data for use in compatible mapping and geospatial applications.
The application provides an interactive map on which you can navigate to your area of interest and draw a rectangular selection. PyMapStitcher automatically converts the selected region into a geographic bounding box and calculates the required tile range. If exact coordinates are already available, the bounding box can also be entered manually using west, south, east, and north values.
Zoom controls make it easy to select the required level of detail. The application displays the resulting number of map tiles and the final GeoTIFF dimensions before the export begins. This helps you understand the expected output size and avoid accidentally starting an unnecessarily large download.
PyMapStitcher includes a selection of predefined tile-server templates for convenient configuration. You can also provide your own XYZ or QuadKey URL template, making the application suitable for private map servers, self-hosted services, organizational infrastructure, and other authorized data sources. Advanced URL settings remain hidden by default to keep the main interface clean, but they can be opened whenever a custom configuration is needed.
Instead of downloading every tile into a temporary folder and assembling a complete image afterward, PyMapStitcher uses a direct streaming workflow. Each tile is downloaded, decoded, and written into the destination GeoTIFF before the next tile is processed. Only a small amount of image data needs to remain in memory at one time. This approach reduces memory usage and avoids creating a separate intermediate map image.
Generated files include georeferencing information for the EPSG:3857 Web Mercator coordinate reference system commonly used by online tile maps. The resulting GeoTIFF can be opened in compatible desktop and mobile GIS software, image-processing applications, and geospatial workflows that support GeoTIFF raster data.
Completed files are saved in the PyMapStitcher folder inside the device’s Download directory. The application displays live progress while tiles are being processed and provides a clear completion message or a detailed error if the selected server cannot be reached, rejects the request, or returns an unsupported image.
The interface uses a modern dark design inspired by the PyMapStitcher logo. Its most important controls remain easy to reach: choose a tile source, select the area, configure the bounding box, adjust the zoom, review the estimated output, and start the GeoTIFF export. Advanced options are available without making the primary workflow unnecessarily complicated.
Key features include:

PyMapStitcher does not grant access rights to third-party maps, imagery, or tile services. The availability of a server template does not mean that bulk downloading, offline storage, redistribution, commercial use, or the creation of derivative datasets is permitted by that provider.
Only use PyMapStitcher with servers and datasets for which you have explicit authorization or a license that permits your intended activity. You are responsible for reviewing and following the applicable terms of service, attribution rules, copyright requirements, rate limits, privacy rules, and local laws. Public tile services may restrict automated access or large downloads even when their maps are freely viewable in a browser.

What’s new

Release notes — Version 0.8.0
Initial release of PyMapStitcher for Android.
Select map areas directly on an interactive map
Choose from multiple predefined tile servers
Support for custom XYZ and QuadKey URL templates
Configure bounding-box coordinates manually
Adjust zoom using dedicated plus and minus controls
Stream downloaded tiles directly into a georeferenced GeoTIFF
Only download tiles from servers that explicitly permit your intended usage.