Import places from Google Maps or text notes into Vimini

You can bring saved places into Vimini in two ways: paste the link to a shared Google Maps list, or paste place names from a note. Both routes create a restaurant list you can use for future plans. Here is how to choose the right route, check the places and finish saving.

Before you start

Have Vimini installed and an internet connection. For Google Maps, you need a shareable list link. For a text note, prepare one place per line and include its city or address. Keep your original list or note until you have checked the result.

Importing places saves them to a list. It does not record a visit or create a vimini for each restaurant. Personal comments, ratings and photos need to be added separately; the text route searches for place names rather than copying the contents of your note.

Import a Google Maps list

1. Copy the list's sharing link

In Google Maps, open You and find your list. Open the list's menu, choose Share list and copy the link. Use a link that lets someone else view the list. You do not need to invite an editor. Google's list-sharing instructions explain this step for iPhone; the same help page has Android and computer options.

If your saved collection cannot be shared, use the text method below with its place names. The import field expects a list link, rather than a link to one restaurant or a Google account export.

2. Paste the link in Vimini

Open your lists in Vimini and choose New list. In Create New List, find Import places and tap Google. Paste the copied link into Google Maps links. For a first import, start with one list so the result is easy to check.

To bring over more lists, use Add another link. Each Google Maps list becomes its own Vimini list; adding several links does not combine them into one. The imported list uses the source list's name.

3. Start the import and check the result

Tap Import List. The import runs in the background, so you can continue using Vimini while it processes. Wait for the completion message, then open the new list. If Vimini asks you to confirm an uncertain place, check the name and address before choosing its match.

Compare the saved places with your original Google Maps list. Check branches as well as names: a restaurant with the same name in another city is not the same place. A finished import may still have places awaiting confirmation, so check any outstanding requests before treating the transfer as complete.

Import place names from a text note

1. Prepare one place per line

Copy the restaurant or café names from your note, with a city or address on each line. Put every place on a separate line. Remove headings, bullet symbols and comments such as “book for Friday” so the search receives the place name and location.

For example, turn a note formatted as “Restaurant name — Milan — book for Friday” into “Restaurant name, Milan”. Replace “Restaurant name” with the actual business name. This is a formatting example, not a tested search result. Keep the booking reminder in your original note and add it separately after saving the place.

2. Paste the names and find places

In Vimini, open your lists and choose New list. Give the list a name, then open Import places and tap Text. Paste your prepared lines into Places from a note and tap Find places.

3. Check each suggested match

Check the names and addresses in the results. A single match is selected automatically, but you can still correct it. Where there are several candidates, choose the right location. Edit the search text to add a city or street if needed. If you cannot find the correct place, skip that row rather than saving the wrong business.

When your selections are ready, tap Add followed by the number of selected places. The editor then shows how many places are ready to add.

4. Finish creating the list

Tap Create List to save the list with your selected places. Add places confirms your choices; Create List finishes saving them. Larger selections may continue as a background import. Open the saved list after completion and check its entries against your note.

If something does not import

For a Google Maps link, check that it opens the intended list and can be viewed through its sharing link. If it cannot, copy the place names and use Text instead. For a text search with no result, try the business's full name and address. If several branches appear, select by address. Keep any unresolved names in your original note so you can add them later.

The supported routes here are a shared Google Maps list link and pasted place names. They do not require a file export or a connection to your whole Google account. Import is a copy into Vimini, so do not assume later edits to the original list will synchronize.

Use the list for your next meal

Once the places are saved, organize your list for the next dinner or trip. Add the personal notes that matter to you, and record visits separately when you actually go. You can read more about organizing restaurant lists in Vimini.