KML file as rendered with Google Earth.
[Click on image to enlarge in new window.]

What is KML?

"KML is a file format used to display geographic data in an Earth browser such as Google Earth. You can create KML files to pinpoint locations, add image overlays, and expose rich data in new ways. KML is an international standard maintained by the Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc. (OGC)." [https://developers.google.com/kml]

Your Desktop Browser and downloading KML files.

When your browser encounters an external KML file it usually initiates an informed download where you indicate where you want the file to be saved. Your folder " Downloads" is often the default for this action.

Use this folder to open KML files from Google Earth Pro or Google Earth.

Google Earth Pro and Google Earth on the desktop.

To open KML files, you'll just need Google Earth Pro or Google Earth.

The stand-alone application Google Earth Pro will provide your best experience for viewing KML files on desktops. You may use Google Earth on Android, iPhone or iPad mobile devices as noted below. There is no application at present for the Amazon Fire tablet.

Google Earth Pro

Google Earth Pro can be downloaded and installed for free on desktops 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 the PC and the Mac.

Using Google Earth Pro on the PC Desktop (after KML files have been downloaded!)

Once KML files are resident on you desktop there are two ways to open the file in Google Earth Pro. The first is to open the Google Earth application and then to use its toolbar to navigate to and then open the KML file. The second is to navigate to the KML file's location on the desktop and then double-click the filename to open it in Google Earth Pro.

Using Google Earth Pro on the MacBook portable (after KML files have been downloaded!)

Using the Google Earth Mobile App on an iPad.

Google Chrome provides the most straight-forward way to download a KML file and then open it in Google Earth. Apple's Safari application is more cumbersome.

Google Earth with Google Chrome.

Tapping the link to a KML file (the Google Earth icon in whalesite.org) a popup appears on the lower part of the display. It will give the name of the KML file, it size, and a message: "Download". On selecting the "Download" option, the text in the popup will change – first giving the name of the KML file and the option to "Open in ...". On selecting the "Open in ..." option, another popup appears giving a number options. Here you will want to select the Google Earth option to view the KML file in that application.

The Google Earth Display:

The option to "Search Google Earth" will not be required.

The "Your Projects" display will need some attention. First pull up the popup to enlarge. Click the at the left of the KML file's title to display the contents of the file. The places will generally correspond to places, etc. on the Google Earth display, but sometime will provide instructions for use.

There may be information or instructions provided in the contents. In some instances, to see features, it will be necessary to select the place and then select the "Fly to" option.

To the right of each place the icon will offer a number of choices for that place (Hide feature, Edit, Fly to, Start slideshow, or delete). Generally, only the last choice – "Delete" will be needed as you will want to periodically keep the "Your projects" area cleared.

When "Delete" is select a popup will inform you: "Delete project? This project and all of its data will b deleted immediately. This cannot be undone." You have two choices: "Cancel" or "OK". the Google Earth application. The KML file will still reside on your device where it was downloaded.

In summary, while most of the features that are available in Google Earth on a desktop are possible on the iPad or iPhone, they are not as easily used in the reduced footprint of the smaller display.

To view files downloaded to an iPad use the Files app to see the files. Generally you files will be found in the Recents section. Selecting a file will display it in its KML format. Select icon at the top right of the display. When given the options for the file, select "Google Earth".

Using the Google Earth Mobile App

1. If you do not have Google Earth, you can download it for free from the Google Play Store or the App Store for Android, iPhone, or iPad.
2. Open Google Earth. 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.
3. Tap +[plus] in the panel at the bottom-left of your screen. If you don't see the panel, swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open it. This panel is labeled "Your projects."
4. Select "Local KML file"; then select "Import". 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.
5. Select Import. Your phone's storage will open so you can select the file to import.

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.

When you search for and find a place, load an existing place, or create a place, it will appear in the middle section of the left side bar labeled "Places" (see left). There are two automatic folders, "My Places" and "Temporary Places." You can organize these and create sub-folders as we will see later.

The final section of the left side bar appears at the bottom left corner of the screen and is labeled "Layers". This section contains checkable layers that contain different types of information that will appear on the map. Each layer has its own set of symbols. These symbols will appear on the map and can be selected to show an information box about each symbol.

To expand layer sets, click the small boxes with a "+"[plus] symbol in them (see left). Already expanded sets can be collapsed by clicking the boxes with a "-"[minus] symbol in them. By checking or unchecking the boxes by each layer, the associated symbol will be added to or removed from the map. Google Earth Pro contains the same layers as Google Earth, but adds the layers found by expanding "Earth Pro (US)," which are US demographic layers, US parcel data, and US daily traffic counts. For all sections in the side bar, you can select the symbol by the section name to collapse the section and leave more room to view other sections. If you wish to reopen a section, the labels of the collapsed sections will still be in the side bar. You can expand collapsed sections by clicking the "" symbol by the section label.

Select the layers button on the screen.

Using Google Earth in Chrome

1 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 Click + New. 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.

3 Select Local KML file. 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.

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.

Opening the KML file in Excel isn't something you can easily do