Open and View KML Files in Google Earth

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A quick & easy guide to using KML files in Google Earth
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KML files contain information about geographic location, notation, and image overlays. To open KML files, you'll just need Google Earth. This wikiHow article teaches you how to open KML files in Google Earth on your Mac, PC, Android, iPhone, or iPad.

Quick Steps

  1. Open Google Earth on your computer or your Android, iPhone, or iPad.
  2. Create a new project or open an existing one.
  3. Select Import KML file .
  4. Double-click or tap your file to open your KML file in Google Maps.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using Google Earth in Chrome

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Open-KML-Files-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-KML-Files-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Open-KML-Files-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-KML-Files-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":344,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":545,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Go to https://earth.google.com/web/ in Chrome. Google Earth will launch in your Chrome web browser. This method allows you to use Google Earth without downloading anything.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Open-KML-Files-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-KML-Files-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Open-KML-Files-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-KML-Files-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":341,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":539,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's in the panel on the left side of your screen. If you don't see the panel, click the arrow that's pointing right to slide the panel out.
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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Open-KML-Files-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-KML-Files-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Open-KML-Files-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-KML-Files-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":550,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The second option lets you create a blank file or import one that will open your file manager so you can find it in your local storage.
    • Click Import in your file manager to open a KML file in Google Maps in Chrome.
    • If the KML file is in your Google Drive, select Open from Drive instead.
    • Once you make your selection, you can use the web browser to view the KML file.
    • Click the three-dot menu next to your project's name and select Export as KML file if you want to save your own.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using Google Earth Desktop

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2b\/Open-KML-Files-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-KML-Files-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2b\/Open-KML-Files-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-KML-Files-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":542,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You’ll find this either in your Start Menu or Applications folder.
    • If you don't have Google Earth Pro, download and install it for free for desktop from https://www.google.com/earth/versions/ . Your download should begin automatically once you click “Download Earth Pro on desktop”. Using this method, you don’t have to worry about using a specific browser for the program to work, and it works for both PC and Mac.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/Open-KML-Files-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-KML-Files-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/Open-KML-Files-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-KML-Files-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":348,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":551,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You’ll find this in the upper left corner of the main menu toolbar.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5c\/Open-KML-Files-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-KML-Files-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5c\/Open-KML-Files-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-KML-Files-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Your file browser will open.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/Open-KML-Files-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-KML-Files-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/Open-KML-Files-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-KML-Files-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":347,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":549,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Your KML file will load in Google Earth and you can view all its information there.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using the Google Earth Mobile App

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Open-KML-Files-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-KML-Files-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Open-KML-Files-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-KML-Files-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This app icon looks like an orb with waves of different shades of blue and white inside. You can find this app in your app drawer, home screen, or by searching.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e6\/Open-KML-Files-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-KML-Files-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e6\/Open-KML-Files-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-KML-Files-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's in the panel at the bottom of your screen labeled "Your projects." If you don't see the panel, swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open it.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ed\/Open-KML-Files-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-KML-Files-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ed\/Open-KML-Files-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-KML-Files-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will allow you to open the locally stored file on your phone or tablet.
    • If you already have a KML file imported in your Drive, select Open from Drive .
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Open-KML-Files-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Open-KML-Files-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b8\/Open-KML-Files-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Open-KML-Files-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Your phone's storage will open so you can select the file to import. [1]
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      Tips

      • Older KML files won't import properly in the app or online, so you'll have to use the desktop app if you find any that import with errors.
        Thanks
      • Opening the KML file in Excel isn't something you can easily do.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/earth/answer/7365595?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS&oco=1

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