Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about MapMates
Getting Started
What is MapMates?
MapMates is an interactive map that helps expats, digital nomads, and remote workers find and connect with each other worldwide. You can add yourself to the map, discover others nearby, and send coffee chat requests to meet in person.
Do I need to create an account?
No! You can browse the map and explore communities without signing up. When you're ready to add yourself to the map, just click anywhere and fill in your details. Optionally add your email to receive connection request notifications.
Is MapMates free to use?
Yes, MapMates is completely free for individuals. You can add yourself to the map, browse other expats, and send connection requests at no cost.
How do I add myself to the map?
Click anywhere on the map where you're located. A form will appear where you can enter your name, what you do (category), a short tagline, and optionally your email. Click "Add Pin" and you're on the map!
Privacy & Safety
Is my exact location shared?
No. By default, your pin shows your approximate area. You can also choose "Country Mode" which only shows your country flag without any specific location. We take privacy seriously.
Can I remove my pin?
Yes! You can delete your pin at any time from the sidebar. Your pin is tied to your device, so you can edit or remove it whenever you want.
What information is visible to others?
Only what you choose to share: your name (can be a nickname), category, tagline, and approximate location. Your email is never shown to other users.
How do you use my email?
We only use your email to notify you when someone sends you a connection request or accepts yours. We never share your email with other users or third parties, and we don't send marketing emails.
Connecting with Others
How do I connect with someone?
Click on their pin to view their profile, then click "Coffee Chat" to send a connection request with a short message. If they accept, you can start chatting within MapMates.
What happens when someone accepts my request?
You'll be notified (via email if you provided one). You can then chat with them directly in MapMates to coordinate meeting up for coffee, coworking, or whatever you'd like.
Can I message someone without a connection request?
No, to prevent spam, you need to send a connection request first. Once accepted, you can freely message each other.
Communities
What are communities?
Communities are private or public maps for specific groups. For example, a Facebook group admin could create a community for their members with custom categories and branding.
How do I create a community?
Visit mapmates.io/create and fill in your community details. You'll get a unique URL (like mapmates.io/c/your-community) and an admin dashboard to manage settings and see members.
Are communities free?
Yes, creating and running a community is currently free while we're in beta. We may introduce paid features for large communities in the future.
Can I make my community private?
Yes! By default, communities are private and require an access code. You can also make them public to appear in our community directory.
Technical
I lost my pin, how do I recover it?
Visit mapmates.io/recover. If you added your email to your pin, you can recover it. Otherwise, pins are tied to your browser — clearing cookies or using a different device means starting fresh.
Does MapMates work on mobile?
Yes! MapMates is fully responsive and works great on phones and tablets. Just visit mapmates.io in your mobile browser.
What browsers are supported?
MapMates works on all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. We recommend keeping your browser updated for the best experience.
Still have questions?
We'd love to hear from you. Reach out and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
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