How to Import Old Maps into Mindmup

Jan 2Guides

Importing maps from legacy Mindmup versions

This guide explains how to bring your existing maps from Mindmup 1.0 (web, desktop, and iOS) into the current Mindmup app. Mindmup now supports storing maps in Google Drive and Mindmup storage. Other storage options from legacy versions, such as Dropbox and GitHub, are no longer supported.

Mindmup uses different URLs for different storage systems to avoid accidentally saving a map to the wrong location.

Using Google Drive

When you save maps to Google Drive with Mindmup, they are automatically collaborative and auto-saved. Because of this, you can’t just open old files directly from Drive—you need to import them first.

Before you begin, make sure Mindmup is installed as an app in your Google Drive.

Importing file-based maps stored on Google Drive

If the file size is under 5 MB:

  1. Open the Google Drive web app.
  2. Right-click the file.
  3. Select Open with › Mindmup for Google Drive.

You can import both .mup (Mindmup) and .mm (FreeMind) files.

If you don’t see the option to open the file with Mindmup, install Mindmup to your Google Drive first.

Importing file-based maps stored elsewhere

If your files are stored outside Google Drive, upload them to Drive first. Then follow the same steps described above to import them.

Importing old collaborative maps

For collaborative maps created using the Realtime Extension in Mindmup 1.0:

  1. Go to the Google Drive website.
  2. Right-click your map.
  3. Select Open with › Legacy Mindmup.

If you don’t see this option, add the legacy exporter to your Google Drive.

This will open a window with a download link for your map. Download the file, then import it using the file-based import steps above.

Importing files larger than 5 MB

Files larger than 5 MB can’t be imported directly at the moment due to limitations of the Google Drive Realtime API used for collaborative documents.

If you’re on the Personal, Team, or Organization plan and need help importing large maps, contact us at contact@mindmup.com.

If you’re on the Starter plan, you can try reducing the file size first:

  • Large images are usually the main issue. Temporarily remove images, import the map, then add them back.
  • Rich-text attachments with images also increase file size. Remove the attachment before import and restore it afterward.

We’re working on improving this process, but for now these steps need to be done manually.

Using Mindmup storage

Mindmup storage lets you store maps directly in Mindmup. The Starter plan allows up to 5 private, non-expiring editable maps. Paid plans support much larger maps.

Opening maps saved to Mindmup storage

If you saved maps to Mindmup storage using a legacy Mindmup app or Mindmup for iOS, you can open them directly at app.mindmup.com. These maps are immediately accessible in the current app.

Importing from files

If you have a map file available on your computer:

  1. Create a new blank map.
  2. Select File › Import from the main menu.
  3. Choose the file you want to import.

Your map will be converted and opened in Mindmup.