Surveyor Map Framework Mod is an open-source backend and API mod that manages world map and waypoint data for Minecraft on Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, and Quilt. It is designed to power map frontends while keeping your terrain, exploration, and waypoints in sync.
If you have ever lost waypoint data, switched computers, or wished your map could follow you across different frontend mods, Surveyor solves that pain directly. It gives multiplayer-friendly map storage, shared exploration data, and compatibility hooks that make the whole map ecosystem feel less fragmented, and its 1.6 million+ downloads show that a lot of players and modders already trust it.
Key Features of Surveyor Map Framework Mod
- Player tracking across the map — Surveyor can show other players on your map, even when they are far away or in another dimension. That makes it much easier to coordinate in multiplayer without constantly asking where everyone is.
- Server-backed exploration recovery — If your map data is lost or you move to a new computer, Surveyor can restore it from the server. That matters because exploration progress and waypoint work are exactly the kind of things players do not want to rebuild from scratch.
- Live map sharing — You can share terrain, waypoints, and more with selected players. In practice, that turns the map into a collaborative tool instead of a private memory bank, which is especially useful on co-op and server worlds.
- Frontend flexibility — Surveyor separates the backend from the visual map layer, so you can swap frontends without losing data. That is a major advantage if you like trying different map mods but do not want to keep redoing your world history each time.
- Waypoint compatibility — It imports waypoints from Xaero's Minimap and also integrates with mods like Waystones and OPAC. This saves time if you already have an established waypoint setup and want to bring it into a shared system.
- Modular design — Surveyor is built so other mods can use waypoint features without forcing terrain scanning to be enabled. That is useful for modpacks because it lets developers and players opt into only the pieces they actually need.
- Vanilla map sync — It includes integration for syncing with vanilla maps through sneak + use at a cartography table. That gives vanilla-style players a path into the system without requiring every map behavior to be tied to a single frontend.
Screenshots
How to Install Surveyor Map Framework Mod
- Pick the loader build that matches your setup, such as Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, or Quilt.
- Match the Minecraft version to the download you want, such as 26.1, 1.21.8, 1.21.1, or 1.20.1.
- If you are on (neo)forge, install Connector and FFAPI as required by the mod.
- Place Surveyor into your mod folder, then launch the game and confirm the mod loads with your other map or waypoint mods.
- In-game, use the Surveyor commands to check your data, manage sharing, and view waypoints if you do not have a frontend installed yet.
Requirements & Compatibility
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Mod type | Library, utility |
| Supported loaders | Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Quilt |
| Supported Minecraft downloads | 26.1, 1.21.8, 1.21.1, 1.20.1 |
| Extra requirements | Connector and FFAPI on (neo)forge |
| License | LGPL-3.0-or-later |
| Author | sisby-folk |
What's New
- Fixed leaves appearing invisible when placed over air.
- The changelog entry is tied to the release tagged v1.2.2+1.20.
- The supplied update notes do not list any other changes in this excerpt.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Works as a shared backend for multiple map and waypoint frontends.
- Supports multiplayer map sharing and player tracking.
- Can recover map data from the server if local data is lost.
- Imports and syncs waypoints from other mods and vanilla maps.
- Modular design makes it easier to use only the pieces you need.
Cons
- It is a backend and API, so many players will still want a separate frontend for the full map experience.
- On (neo)forge, you need Connector and FFAPI in addition to the mod itself.
- Several advanced features are more useful once you understand its sharing and configuration options.
Alternatives to Surveyor Map Framework Mod
- Antique Atlas 4 — A map frontend that Surveyor can support, making it a natural companion if you want a more traditional atlas-style view.
- Hoofprint — Another frontend in the Surveyor ecosystem, useful if you want a different way to present the same shared backend data.
- Via Romana — A compatible map option for players who want to build around Surveyor without being locked into one visual layer.
Download Surveyor Map Framework Mod
| Minecraft Version | Fabric | Forge | NeoForge | Quilt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For Minecraft 26.1 | Download | — | — | — |
| For Minecraft 1.21.8 | Download | — | Download | Download |
| For Minecraft 1.21.1 | Download | — | Download | Download |
| For Minecraft 1.20.1 | Download | Download | — | Download |
Always download mods from official sources to stay safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Surveyor a standalone minimap?
No — Surveyor is a backend and API for map and waypoint mods, not just a single visual minimap. You usually pair it with a frontend like Antique Atlas 4, Hoofprint, or Via Romana for the full experience.
Does Surveyor work on multiple mod loaders?
Yes — the supplied data lists Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, and Quilt support. The available downloads are split by Minecraft version and loader, so you still need to pick the build that matches your setup.
Can Surveyor show other players on the map?
Yes — it can show other players, even when they are far away or in a different dimension. That makes coordination on multiplayer servers much easier, especially when your group is spread out.
Can it restore my map data if I switch computers?
Yes — it is designed to restore map data from the server if local data is lost or you move to another machine. That is one of its strongest quality-of-life features because it protects exploration progress and waypoint history.
Does Surveyor support sharing waypoints with friends?
Yes — you can share with chosen players and leave sharing groups with the built-in commands. The mod also includes separate waypoint and landmark views for managing recorded locations.
Where is Surveyor data stored?
It is stored in plain NBT under `data/surveyor`. In singleplayer and servers it is per-dimension, while clients store it in `.minecraft` according to the supplied description.
Can Surveyor work with vanilla maps?
Yes — it has built-in integration for syncing with vanilla maps through sneak + use at a cartography table. That gives you a way to connect standard Minecraft map behavior to the Surveyor system.
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