GPX Viewer PRO is a highly customizable app where you can adapt such parameters as the map screen layout, track colors, recording profiles, and much more. Waypoint icons are a great example of this flexibility. When you add a waypoint, you can set its name and description, and select an icon from the list of symbols. By default, the app already assigns icons to common symbol names, but you can go much further by creating your own symbols, swapping icons, and even generating icons directly in your GPX files. Here is how to make your waypoints look exactly the way you want.
Add an icon to a waypoint symbol name
Every waypoint has a symbol name — a label that tells the app which icon to display for it. GPX Viewer PRO already includes icons for many common symbol names, but you can also create your own.
This is especially useful if you plan to mark the same type of places more often. For example you love exploring medieval castles and you mark every one you visit. Instead of picking an icon manually each time, you can create a custom symbol name called “Castle”, assign a fitting icon from the app’s icon library, and from that point on simply select it from the list whenever you add a new waypoint. It takes a few seconds and keeps all your castle waypoints consistent and easy to spot on the map.
You can find step-by-step instructions with a video in our user guide.
Change the icon for an existing symbol name
Your needs may change over time, and you are not limited to the icon you first picked. Imagine you created a “Viewpoint” symbol and used a generic marker icon when you set it up. Later you find a binoculars icon that fits much better. Just go to Settings, tap Waypoint, then Icons, select your existing symbol name, and pick a new icon. All waypoints using that symbol name will update automatically.
Check detailed instructions in our user guide.
Create generated icons with color and text markers
Generated icons are a powerful option for advanced users who work with larger collections of waypoints. Imagine you are creating an outdoor game where participants need to find and complete tasks at specific spots around a park or forest. You want each location to be numbered so players can follow them in the right order. With text markers, each waypoint displays its number directly on the map, making the game easy to follow without any extra tapping.
Generated icons are not set up inside the app itself, you need to edit your GPX file in a text editor before you open the file with GPX Viewer PRO. You add the icon definition directly inside the waypoint’s <extensions> tag in your GPX file. To create a colored pin, add color_marker(#aab51c) or any other color in RGB format. To create a text pin, use text_marker(100) or any text up to three characters.
Technical instructions with code examples are available in our user guide.
With these options, you have full control over how your waypoints look. Setting up custom symbol names saves time on every trip, keeping your map clean and consistent. Generated icons take things further for users who prepare their GPX files in advance and want precise visual control over larger sets of waypoints. Try these features on your next outdoor adventure.
