Disclaimer
The methods mentioned in this tutorial are for research and learning purposes only. I am not responsible for any legal liabilities and losses caused by using or expanding this tutorial and method.
ALWAYS checkout latest version here first if you have trouble: https://github.com/derekhe/msfs2020-google-map/releases
!!!!!MUST DO BEFORE YOU USE THIS MOD!!!!!
PLEASE VIEW THE VIDEO FOR INSTALLATION AND USAGE:
New installation and uninstallation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqaD2y7HA6o
Old Video: https://youtu.be/Lk7GK5XLTt8
SweViver made this great comparsion and installation here: New FS2020 Google Maps MOD for the entire world!
Some people use cracked verison of MSFS, please don't use this mod, it is not supported.
If you have any problem, please watch the videoes first and look at this FAQ page: https://github.com/derekhe/msfs2020-google-map/wiki/FAQ
Preview
Whole journey from Chengdu to Xian: https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1nQ4y1S7vy/
Side by side comparsion: https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1kq4y1r711/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WRj8yhi0tc&t=138s
Donate
I will keep this mod up to date for every MSFS update as much as I can. If you like this plugin and want to offer me a coffee, please click the "DONATE ME A COFFEE" button, or here is the link: https://paypal.me/siconghe?country.x=C2&locale.x=en_US
Thanks for your support!
Background
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 uses Bing's satellite map. However, the satellite map is relatively old, and many areas are not directly equipped with map settings a few years ago. This phenomenon occurs in different regions of the world. The map on the mainland is even 10 years ago. There are a large number of regions where satellite images are not available. Microsoft uses the program-generated map instead, and the quality is very poor. After the replacement, the image quality and details have been significantly improved, as shown in the figure below
History and related information
I have been studying the possibility of replacing it with Google Maps for a long time, and there are also YouTubers on the Internet who have provided [some ideas](https://flightsim.to/file/4074/google-earth-decoder-optimisation-tools?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__= pmd_2902fb008a3441de2f812b093625596ad796f737-1628304162-0-gqNtZGzNAk2jcnBszQjO), use a crawler to crawl the data from Google and import it into MSFS2020. But this method is more complicated and cannot be used on a large scale.
Later I studied the network request and found that MSFS will download pictures from Bing's server. In theory, it should be possible to replace the pictures with other pictures. And it happens that the slicing method of bing and google’s satellite images is similar and can be seamlessly switched, and even Microsoft also provides the converted [source code] (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/bingmaps/articles/ bing-maps-tile-system) (see this function QuadKeyToTileXY)
In the process of constant search, I found examples similar to my thinking. But his main purpose is to remove some unnecessary things to improve the quality of the landscape. He also built an additional warehouse to demonstrate a [method of using proxy to replace landscape] (https://github.com/muumimorko/MSFS2020_Proxy). Unfortunately, this warehouse lacks some necessary things and cannot operate normally.
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derekhe
Recently in comments we have some rude comments, which is not I want to see. I don't want to delete them and let time to judge. I understand the mood that the app can't run on your machine, but please also be aware that everyone's environment is different and I can't guarantee it works on everyone's environment.
If you have issues, please look at the FAQ page first (https://github.com/derekhe/msfs2020-google-map/wiki/FAQ)
I will keep it update to date for common issues.
The videos are important to follow.
If it still can't resolve, please search and find out if you have similar problem (https://github.com/derekhe/msfs2020-google-map/issues).
If you still have problem, please provide me details and post it into (https://github.com/derekhe/msfs2020-google-map/issues)
Your feedback is important for me to improve the mod and let more user to use. If I can't fix a bug in recent days, please be patient and go back to see it after a while.
Thanks all, please keep your comments clean and polite.
Ritchy61
the best mod ever.
Xpress690
Hi....
I´m getting this error everytime I try the RUN......
FileNotFoundError: [WinError 2] The system cannot find the file specified: 'C:\\Windows\\System32\\drivers\\etc\\hosts'
any ideas why?
thak you
rwdebes
amazing work congrats. Working perfectly for me. Gives the game a hole new experience.
PaulHolmes
In my case 2.3.3. isn't streaming google data after starting the program. Flightsim will hang if I start the maps program before fs2020 so I'll start maps program 2nd once the fs2020 checking for updates page has passed. No hang, but no streaming google data either.
mjleprix
app works fine , i just have difficulty closing it because the interface with the run/ stop buttons has disappeared from my taskbar. How do i get that back up when i have finshed the session
Pilot1981
G8V8S 1 day(s) ago
Read the guides, read the FAQ, watch the tuts. It's all been said, it's all been done. Onus is on you to ensure your environment can cleanly run the mod and to exhaust all troubleshooting options.
Clarence
New version 2.3.3 no more map server change ?
newtestleper 1 day(s) ago
If only there was a changelog to explain things.
rwdebes 10 hour(s) ago
if you at least took the time to look before talking....
https://flightsim.to/file/19345/msfs-2020-google-map-replacement#pills-changelog
H2Air
Is there any way to replace the underlying Bing Maps when in Developer mode? I build airports and post them here on flightsim.to, but the satellite image when in Developer mode is many years old in places. I installed this mod, and I see it streaming down the Google Maps imagery, but the satellite image of the airport is still the Bing Map from 2015.
dedebis
Bonjour.. j'ai un problème avec google chrome !!! je ne peux pas commenté !!! MSFS 2020 et installé sur C: et mes scènes sur D: dans quel répertoire sont stocké les tuiles ?... j'ai l'impression que les tuiles ne sont pas téléchargées.
Le site Gut machin est trop compliqué pour moi... et sur ce site on ne pas laisser de copie d'écran... mon mail : [email protected]
dedebis
SeaNNyT
Anyone else getting Google watermarks in new zealand?
agpamungkas
Clear cache took a very long time to finish. Can I delete the cache folder instantly?
derekhe 2 day(s) ago
Yes
agpamungkas 13 hour(s) ago
Thank you.
TrainX
I have heard several times that this mod is unsafe and can possibly cause viruses. Please fix this and make the mod safe!
roswellsoaps 2 day(s) ago
Have what fixed? Hearing something does not make it true. Be thankful its free.
Clarence 1 day(s) ago
cause virus ? are you sure?
TrainX 1 day(s) ago
Allegedly, the python script creates security gaps. I've been told several times. Even so, it should be unlikely. All statements without guarantee
TheDUK
Excellent addon. Living in Australia, we have a lot of open space/regional towns, so this provides true scenery throughout a trip with detail expected. Much better than the original Bing Maps data. Installing & running is simple with no affects on performance
dedebis
DunkDisord3r
Looks good but no matter how i try my router shuts down WiFI and my ethernet starts to go really slow. I have tried with ISP and dedicated router and happens the same. Any idea?
Connor
After uninstalling/deleting the files as i no longer wanted to use them i am still left with google maps data loading into my sim.. anyone can help?
yceQy 1 day(s) ago
That's HIGHLY unlikely, considering the hoops this little script has to jump through to make the magic happen.
What makes you think it's Google maps data?
kynrick12 12 hour(s) ago
what makes u qualified also to question the developer?
dock
2.3.2 works very well for me. I only experienced a hang-on in the mid of loading screen ( yes , about 50%) in the fist 2 flights and then I have been able to load the program smoothly every time.
CrappyPilot
I have a issue since using this addon. My in-game photogrammetry data will not load anymore. Switching to the Bing maps wil not load photogrammetry as well. I'm stuck with the default stuff here. I have no connection or performance issues, host file looks fine and deleted all cache. Any ideas?
roswellsoaps 2 day(s) ago
Try signing in and out of the sim. Go to xbox app sign out then in, the start the sim.
nosalis 20 hour(s) ago
I seem to have the same problem, I tried turning it off by pressing the stop button, which removes the links from the host files
when I re-launched MSFS, turned on rolling cache, restarted again, when I load into the game, I no longer have all the trees I had before, I see some, but maybe only about 3%
The ground texture changed, so it's definitely back to bing maps, and it's not generic, I recognize the features on the ground, but all the trees are gone
BigMike
Depuis les dernières versions, le chargement du mod ne ralentit pas du tout celui du simulateur ! Ne pas oublier avant de lancer le simu de supprimer content.xml et Rolling Cache qui vont se recréer de toute façon !!!! Bref ! C'est efficace ! Merci pour cette amélioration !!!!