diff --git a/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applet.h b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applet.h
index 6b727f273..2aa5bc640 100644
--- a/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applet.h
+++ b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applet.h
@@ -128,6 +128,8 @@ class Applet : public GFX
 
     virtual bool approveNotification(Notification &n); // Allow an applet to veto a notification
 
+    virtual class MapApplet *asMapApplet() { return nullptr; } // Returns non-null only for MapApplet and its subclasses
+
     static uint16_t getHeaderHeight(); // How tall the "standard" applet header is
 
     static AppletFont fontSmall, fontMedium, fontLarge; // The general purpose fonts, used by all applets
diff --git a/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/Bases/Map/MapApplet.cpp b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/Bases/Map/MapApplet.cpp
index 881371e2d..35b0f567e 100644
--- a/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/Bases/Map/MapApplet.cpp
+++ b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/Bases/Map/MapApplet.cpp
@@ -1,18 +1,367 @@
 #ifdef MESHTASTIC_INCLUDE_INKHUD
 
 #include "./MapApplet.h"
+#include "./MapTile.h"
+
+#include <math.h>
+#include <string.h>
 
 using namespace NicheGraphics;
 
+bool InkHUD::MapApplet::s_zoomLocked = false;
+int InkHUD::MapApplet::s_lockedZoom = -1;
+int InkHUD::MapApplet::s_lastRenderedZoom = -1;
+int InkHUD::MapApplet::s_autoFitZoom = -1;
+
+// Observe GPS position updates so the map redraws whenever a new location arrives.
+InkHUD::MapApplet::MapApplet()
+{
+    if (gpsStatus)
+        gpsStatusObserver.observe(&gpsStatus->onNewStatus);
+}
+
+int InkHUD::MapApplet::onGpsStatusUpdate(const meshtastic::Status *status)
+{
+    if (status->getStatusType() != STATUS_TYPE_GPS)
+        return 0;
+    if (!isActive() || !gpsStatus->getHasLock())
+        return 0;
+
+    requestUpdate();
+    return 0;
+}
+
+// Zoom in one step from the current display zoom.
+void InkHUD::MapApplet::zoomIn()
+{
+    int baseZoom = s_zoomLocked ? s_lockedZoom : s_lastRenderedZoom;
+    if (baseZoom < 0)
+        return;
+
+    if (map_tile_count == 0) {
+        if (baseZoom < ZOOM_MAX_NO_TILES) {
+            s_lockedZoom = baseZoom + 1;
+            s_zoomLocked = true;
+        }
+        return;
+    }
+
+    // Jump to the next tile zoom strictly above current, not just +1
+    int next = -1;
+    for (int i = 0; i < map_tile_count; i++) {
+        int z = map_tile_zooms[i];
+        if (z > baseZoom && (next < 0 || z < next))
+            next = z;
+    }
+    if (next < 0)
+        return;
+
+    s_lockedZoom = next;
+    s_zoomLocked = true;
+}
+
+void InkHUD::MapApplet::resetZoom()
+{
+    s_zoomLocked = false;
+    s_lockedZoom = -1;
+}
+
+bool InkHUD::MapApplet::canZoomIn() const
+{
+    if (s_lastRenderedZoom < 0)
+        return false;
+    int ref = s_zoomLocked ? s_lockedZoom : s_lastRenderedZoom;
+    if (map_tile_count == 0)
+        return ref < ZOOM_MAX_NO_TILES;
+    for (int i = 0; i < map_tile_count; i++) {
+        if (map_tile_zooms[i] > ref)
+            return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
+void InkHUD::MapApplet::zoomOut()
+{
+    int baseZoom = s_zoomLocked ? s_lockedZoom : s_lastRenderedZoom;
+    if (baseZoom < 0) {
+        s_zoomLocked = false;
+        s_lockedZoom = -1;
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (map_tile_count == 0) {
+        int floor = (s_autoFitZoom >= 0) ? s_autoFitZoom : baseZoom;
+        if (baseZoom > floor) {
+            s_lockedZoom = baseZoom - 1;
+            s_zoomLocked = true;
+        } else {
+            s_zoomLocked = false;
+            s_lockedZoom = -1;
+        }
+        return;
+    }
+
+    // Jump to the next tile zoom strictly below current, not just -1
+    int next = -1;
+    for (int i = 0; i < map_tile_count; i++) {
+        int z = map_tile_zooms[i];
+        if (z < baseZoom && (next < 0 || z > next))
+            next = z;
+    }
+    if (next < 0) {
+        s_zoomLocked = false;
+        s_lockedZoom = -1;
+        return;
+    }
+
+    s_lockedZoom = next;
+    s_zoomLocked = true;
+}
+
+bool InkHUD::MapApplet::canZoomOut() const
+{
+    if (s_lastRenderedZoom < 0)
+        return false;
+    int ref = s_zoomLocked ? s_lockedZoom : s_lastRenderedZoom;
+    if (map_tile_count == 0)
+        return s_autoFitZoom >= 0 ? ref > s_autoFitZoom : false;
+    for (int i = 0; i < map_tile_count; i++) {
+        if (map_tile_zooms[i] < ref)
+            return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
+// Raw LZ4 block decompressor. Returns bytes written, or -1 on error.
+static int lz4_decompress(const uint8_t *src, int src_len, uint8_t *dst, int dst_cap)
+{
+    const uint8_t *s = src;
+    const uint8_t *s_end = src + src_len;
+    uint8_t *d = dst;
+    const uint8_t *d_end = dst + dst_cap;
+    while (s < s_end) {
+        uint8_t token = *s++;
+        int lit_len = (token >> 4) & 0xF;
+        if (lit_len == 15) {
+            uint8_t x;
+            do {
+                x = *s++;
+                lit_len += x;
+            } while (x == 255 && s < s_end);
+        }
+        if (d + lit_len > d_end || s + lit_len > s_end)
+            return -1;
+        memcpy(d, s, lit_len);
+        d += lit_len;
+        s += lit_len;
+        if (s >= s_end)
+            break;
+        if (s + 2 > s_end)
+            return -1;
+        int offset = (int)s[0] | ((int)s[1] << 8);
+        s += 2;
+        if (offset == 0 || d - offset < dst)
+            return -1;
+        int mat_len = (token & 0xF) + 4;
+        if (mat_len == 4 + 15) {
+            uint8_t x;
+            do {
+                x = *s++;
+                mat_len += x;
+            } while (x == 255 && s < s_end);
+        }
+        if (d + mat_len > d_end)
+            return -1;
+        const uint8_t *m = d - offset;
+        for (int i = 0; i < mat_len; i++)
+            *d++ = m[i];
+    }
+    return (int)(d - dst);
+}
+
+// Tiles are 1 bit/pixel, column-major: [bx=0..31][y=0..255], 8 pixels per byte.
+static uint8_t s_tileCacheBuffer[8192];
+
+static const uint8_t *decodeSparseTile(int tileIndex)
+{
+    int n = lz4_decompress(map_tile_data[tileIndex], map_tile_sizes[tileIndex], s_tileCacheBuffer, sizeof(s_tileCacheBuffer));
+    return n == sizeof(s_tileCacheBuffer) ? s_tileCacheBuffer : nullptr;
+}
+
+// Draw tiles centered on latCenter/lngCenter. Falls back to the nearest available zoom if
+// no tiles exist at exactly zoom (upsamples), enabling smooth zoom steps.
+void InkHUD::MapApplet::drawMapTileBackground(int zoom)
+{
+    if (map_tile_count == 0 || metersToPx <= 0.0f)
+        return;
+
+    const float R = 6378137.0f;
+    const float latRad = latCenter * DEG_TO_RAD;
+    const float mpp = (2.0f * M_PI * R / (256.0f * (float)(1 << zoom))) * cosf(latRad);
+    const float worldPxPerScreenPx = 1.0f / (metersToPx * mpp);
+
+    // Find best tile zoom: highest available <= zoom, or lowest available if none below.
+    int tileZoom = -1;
+    for (int i = 0; i < map_tile_count; i++) {
+        int z = map_tile_zooms[i];
+        if (z <= zoom && (tileZoom < 0 || z > tileZoom))
+            tileZoom = z;
+    }
+    if (tileZoom < 0) {
+        for (int i = 0; i < map_tile_count; i++) {
+            int z = map_tile_zooms[i];
+            if (tileZoom < 0 || z < tileZoom)
+                tileZoom = z;
+        }
+    }
+    if (tileZoom < 0)
+        return;
+
+    // Convert screen-pixel movement into tileZoom coordinate space.
+    // When tileZoom < zoom, tile pixels are upsampled (each tile pixel covers >1 screen px).
+    const float tileWorldPx = worldPxPerScreenPx * ((float)(1 << tileZoom) / (float)(1 << zoom));
+
+    const float sinLat = sinf(latRad);
+    const float gpxX = ((lngCenter + 180.0f) / 360.0f) * (float)(1 << tileZoom) * 256.0f;
+    const float gpxY = (0.5f - logf((1.0f + sinLat) / (1.0f - sinLat)) / (4.0f * M_PI)) * (float)(1 << tileZoom) * 256.0f;
+
+    const float minWx = gpxX - width() * 0.5f * tileWorldPx;
+    const float maxWx = gpxX + width() * 0.5f * tileWorldPx;
+    const float minWy = gpxY - height() * 0.5f * tileWorldPx;
+    const float maxWy = gpxY + height() * 0.5f * tileWorldPx;
+
+    for (int i = 0; i < map_tile_count; i++) {
+        if (map_tile_zooms[i] != tileZoom)
+            continue;
+
+        const int tx = map_tile_tx[i];
+        const int ty = map_tile_ty[i];
+        const float tileMinWx = tx * 256.0f;
+        const float tileMaxWx = tileMinWx + 256.0f;
+        const float tileMinWy = ty * 256.0f;
+        const float tileMaxWy = tileMinWy + 256.0f;
+        if (tileMaxWx < minWx || tileMinWx > maxWx || tileMaxWy < minWy || tileMinWy > maxWy)
+            continue;
+
+        const uint8_t *tile = decodeSparseTile(i);
+        if (!tile)
+            continue;
+
+        const int sxStart = max(0, (int)floorf(((tileMinWx - gpxX) / tileWorldPx) + width() * 0.5f));
+        const int sxEnd = min(width() - 1, (int)ceilf(((tileMaxWx - gpxX) / tileWorldPx) + width() * 0.5f) - 1);
+        const int syStart = max(0, (int)floorf(((tileMinWy - gpxY) / tileWorldPx) + height() * 0.5f));
+        const int syEnd = min(height() - 1, (int)ceilf(((tileMaxWy - gpxY) / tileWorldPx) + height() * 0.5f) - 1);
+
+        for (int sy = syStart; sy <= syEnd; sy++) {
+            const float wy = gpxY + (sy - height() * 0.5f) * tileWorldPx;
+            const int py = (int)(wy - tileMinWy);
+            if (py < 0 || py > 255)
+                continue;
+
+            for (int sx = sxStart; sx <= sxEnd; sx++) {
+                const float wx = gpxX + (sx - width() * 0.5f) * tileWorldPx;
+                const int px = (int)(wx - tileMinWx);
+                if (px < 0 || px > 255)
+                    continue;
+
+                if (!(tile[(px / 8) * 256 + py] & (1 << (px % 8))))
+                    continue;
+
+                drawPixel(sx, sy, BLACK);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 void InkHUD::MapApplet::onRender(bool full)
 {
-    // Abort if no markers to render
-    if (!enoughMarkers()) {
+    // Map center is always the node centroid — tiles are background only.
+    getMapCenter(&latCenter, &lngCenter);
+    calculateAllMarkers();
+
+    // Show placeholder only if we have no position at all — no tiles, no own node
+    if (!enoughMarkers() && !centerIsOurNode) {
         printAt(X(0.5), Y(0.5) - (getFont().lineHeight() / 2), "Node positions", CENTER, MIDDLE);
         printAt(X(0.5), Y(0.5) + (getFont().lineHeight() / 2), "will appear here", CENTER, MIDDLE);
         return;
     }
 
+    // Determine the metersToPx needed to fit all nodes on screen.
+    getMapSize(&widthMeters, &heightMeters);
+    calculateMapScale(); // metersToPx = fit-all-nodes scale
+    const float metersToPxFit = metersToPx;
+
+    // Pick the highest zoom whose native scale fits all nodes (no downsampling, no dither noise).
+    {
+        const float R = 6378137.0f;
+        const float latRad = latCenter * DEG_TO_RAD;
+
+        // Collect unique zooms, sort descending (highest detail first)
+        int zooms[16] = {};
+        int nzooms = 0;
+        for (int i = 0; i < map_tile_count && nzooms < 16; i++) {
+            bool found = false;
+            for (int j = 0; j < nzooms; j++) {
+                if (zooms[j] == map_tile_zooms[i]) {
+                    found = true;
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+            if (!found)
+                zooms[nzooms++] = map_tile_zooms[i];
+        }
+        for (int i = 0; i < nzooms - 1; i++) {
+            for (int j = i + 1; j < nzooms; j++) {
+                if (zooms[j] > zooms[i]) {
+                    int t = zooms[i];
+                    zooms[i] = zooms[j];
+                    zooms[j] = t;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        int chosenZoom = (nzooms > 0) ? zooms[nzooms - 1] : 13; // fallback: widest zoom
+        float chosenMetersToPx = metersToPxFit;                 // fallback: fit-scale (may downsample)
+
+        if (s_zoomLocked && s_lockedZoom >= 0) {
+            // Use locked zoom at native 1:1 scale — never zoom out for new nodes
+            chosenZoom = s_lockedZoom;
+            float mpp = (2.0f * M_PI * R / (256.0f * (float)(1 << chosenZoom))) * cosf(latRad);
+            chosenMetersToPx = 1.0f / mpp;
+        } else if ((markers.empty() || metersToPxFit <= 0.0f) && nzooms > 0) {
+            // No spread to fit (own node only, or single remote node at map center). Use highest zoom at native scale.
+            chosenZoom = zooms[0];
+            float mpp = (2.0f * M_PI * R / (256.0f * (float)(1 << chosenZoom))) * cosf(latRad);
+            chosenMetersToPx = 1.0f / mpp;
+        } else {
+            for (int zi = 0; zi < nzooms; zi++) {
+                float mpp = (2.0f * M_PI * R / (256.0f * (float)(1 << zooms[zi]))) * cosf(latRad);
+                float nativeMetersToPx = 1.0f / mpp;
+                if (nativeMetersToPx <= metersToPxFit) {
+                    // This zoom at native scale shows all nodes — use it (highest detail that fits)
+                    chosenZoom = zooms[zi];
+                    chosenMetersToPx = nativeMetersToPx;
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (!s_zoomLocked)
+            s_autoFitZoom = chosenZoom;
+        metersToPx = chosenMetersToPx;
+        s_lastRenderedZoom = chosenZoom;
+        drawMapTileBackground(chosenZoom);
+
+        char zoomLabel[8];
+        snprintf(zoomLabel, sizeof(zoomLabel), "z%d", chosenZoom);
+        int16_t zoomLabelW = getTextWidth(zoomLabel);
+        int16_t zoomLabelH = getFont().lineHeight();
+        int16_t zoomLabelX = width() - zoomLabelW - 3;
+        int16_t zoomLabelY = 2;
+        fillRect(zoomLabelX - 2, zoomLabelY - 1, zoomLabelW + 4, zoomLabelH + 2, WHITE);
+        printAt(zoomLabelX, zoomLabelY, zoomLabel, LEFT, TOP);
+    }
+
     // Helper: draw rounded rectangle centered at x,y
     auto fillRoundedRect = [&](int16_t cx, int16_t cy, int16_t w, int16_t h, int16_t r, uint16_t color) {
         int16_t x = cx - (w / 2);
@@ -30,16 +379,10 @@ void InkHUD::MapApplet::onRender(bool full)
         fillCircle(x + w - r - 1, y + h - r - 1, r, color);
     };
 
-    // Find center of map
-    getMapCenter(&latCenter, &lngCenter);
-    calculateAllMarkers();
-    getMapSize(&widthMeters, &heightMeters);
-    calculateMapScale();
-
     // Draw all markers first
     for (Marker m : markers) {
-        int16_t x = X(0.5) + (m.eastMeters * metersToPx);
-        int16_t y = Y(0.5) - (m.northMeters * metersToPx);
+        int16_t x = X(0.5) + (int16_t)(m.eastMeters * metersToPx);
+        int16_t y = Y(0.5) - (int16_t)(m.northMeters * metersToPx);
 
         // Add white halo outline first
         constexpr int outlinePad = 1;
@@ -57,10 +400,8 @@ void InkHUD::MapApplet::onRender(bool full)
         setTextColor(WHITE);
 
         // Draw actual marker on top
-        if (m.hasHopsAway && m.hopsAway > config.lora.hop_limit) {
+        if (m.hopsAway > config.lora.hop_limit) {
             printAt(x + 1, y + 1, "X", CENTER, MIDDLE);
-        } else if (!m.hasHopsAway) {
-            printAt(x + 1, y + 1, "?", CENTER, MIDDLE);
         } else {
             char hopStr[4];
             snprintf(hopStr, sizeof(hopStr), "%d", m.hopsAway);
@@ -73,6 +414,8 @@ void InkHUD::MapApplet::onRender(bool full)
     }
 
     // Dual map scale bars
+    if (metersToPx <= 0.0f)
+        return;
     int16_t horizPx = width() * 0.25f;
     int16_t vertPx = height() * 0.25f;
     float horizMeters = horizPx / metersToPx;
@@ -136,11 +479,11 @@ void InkHUD::MapApplet::onRender(bool full)
     printAt(vertBarX + (bottomLabelW / 2) + 1, bottomLabelY + (bottomLabelH / 2), vertBottomLabel, CENTER, MIDDLE);
 
     // Draw our node LAST with full white fill + outline
-    const meshtastic_NodeInfoLite *ourNode = nodeDB->getMeshNode(nodeDB->getNodeNum());
-    meshtastic_PositionLite ourSelfPos;
-    if (ourNode && nodeDB->hasValidPosition(ourNode) && nodeDB->copyNodePosition(ourNode->num, ourSelfPos)) {
-        Marker self = calculateMarker(ourSelfPos.latitude_i * 1e-7, ourSelfPos.longitude_i * 1e-7, false, 0);
-
+    if (centerIsOurNode) {
+        const meshtastic_NodeInfoLite *ourNode = nodeDB->getMeshNode(nodeDB->getNodeNum());
+        meshtastic_PositionLite ourSelfPos;
+        nodeDB->copyNodePosition(ourNode->num, ourSelfPos);
+        Marker self = calculateMarker(ourSelfPos.latitude_i * 1e-7, ourSelfPos.longitude_i * 1e-7, 0);
         int16_t centerX = X(0.5) + (self.eastMeters * metersToPx);
         int16_t centerY = Y(0.5) - (self.northMeters * metersToPx);
 
@@ -174,7 +517,9 @@ void InkHUD::MapApplet::getMapCenter(float *lat, float *lng)
     if (ourNode && nodeDB->hasValidPosition(ourNode) && nodeDB->copyNodePosition(ourNode->num, ourSelfPos)) {
         *lat = ourSelfPos.latitude_i * 1e-7;
         *lng = ourSelfPos.longitude_i * 1e-7;
+        centerIsOurNode = true;
     } else {
+        centerIsOurNode = false;
         // Find mean lat long coords
         // ============================
         // - assigning X, Y and Z values to position on Earth's surface in 3D space, relative to center of planet
@@ -225,6 +570,8 @@ void InkHUD::MapApplet::getMapCenter(float *lat, float *lng)
         }
 
         // All NodeDB processed, find mean values
+        if (positionCount == 0)
+            return;
         xAvg /= positionCount;
         yAvg /= positionCount;
         zAvg /= positionCount;
@@ -278,18 +625,43 @@ void InkHUD::MapApplet::getMapCenter(float *lat, float *lng)
     latCenter = *lat;
     lngCenter = *lng;
 
-    // ----------------------------------------------
-    // This has given us either:
-    // - our actual position (preferred), or
-    // - a mean position (fallback if we had no fix)
-    //
-    // What we actually want is to place our center so that our outermost nodes
-    // end up on the border of our map. The only real use of our "center" is to give
-    // us a reference frame: which direction is east, and which is west.
-    //------------------------------------------------
+    // When zoom is locked, keep center exactly on own node / zero-hop centroid.
+    // Skip bounding-box shift so new distant nodes don't move the zoomed view.
+    if (s_zoomLocked) {
+        // Own node has no position — re-center on zero-hop centroid instead.
+        if (!centerIsOurNode) {
+            uint32_t count = 0;
+            float xAvg = 0, yAvg = 0, zAvg = 0;
+            for (uint32_t i = 0; i < nodeDB->getNumMeshNodes(); i++) {
+                meshtastic_NodeInfoLite *node = nodeDB->getMeshNodeByIndex(i);
+                if (!nodeDB->hasValidPosition(node) || !shouldDrawNode(node))
+                    continue;
+                if (!node->has_hops_away || node->hops_away != 0)
+                    continue;
+                meshtastic_PositionLite pos;
+                if (!nodeDB->copyNodePosition(node->num, pos))
+                    continue;
+                float latRad2 = pos.latitude_i * 1e-7 * DEG_TO_RAD;
+                float lngRad2 = pos.longitude_i * 1e-7 * DEG_TO_RAD;
+                xAvg += cosf(latRad2) * cosf(lngRad2);
+                yAvg += cosf(latRad2) * sinf(lngRad2);
+                zAvg += sinf(latRad2);
+                count++;
+            }
+            if (count > 0) {
+                xAvg /= count;
+                yAvg /= count;
+                zAvg /= count;
+                *lng = atan2f(yAvg, xAvg) * RAD_TO_DEG;
+                *lat = atan2f(zAvg, sqrtf(xAvg * xAvg + yAvg * yAvg)) * RAD_TO_DEG;
+                latCenter = *lat;
+                lngCenter = *lng;
+            }
+        }
+        return; // Do not shift center based on bounding box
+    }
 
-    // Find furthest nodes from our center
-    // ========================================
+    // Find furthest nodes from our center, shift center to midpoint of bounding box
     float northernmost = latCenter;
     float southernmost = latCenter;
     float easternmost = lngCenter;
@@ -298,11 +670,8 @@ void InkHUD::MapApplet::getMapCenter(float *lat, float *lng)
     for (size_t i = 0; i < nodeDB->getNumMeshNodes(); i++) {
         meshtastic_NodeInfoLite *node = nodeDB->getMeshNodeByIndex(i);
 
-        // Skip if no position
         if (!nodeDB->hasValidPosition(node))
             continue;
-
-        // Skip if derived applet doesn't want to show this node on the map
         if (!shouldDrawNode(node))
             continue;
 
@@ -310,15 +679,14 @@ void InkHUD::MapApplet::getMapCenter(float *lat, float *lng)
         if (!nodeDB->copyNodePosition(node->num, pos))
             continue;
 
-        // Check for a new top or bottom latitude
         float latNode = pos.latitude_i * 1e-7;
+        float lngNode = pos.longitude_i * 1e-7;
+
         northernmost = max(northernmost, latNode);
         southernmost = min(southernmost, latNode);
 
-        // Longitude is trickier
-        float lngNode = pos.longitude_i * 1e-7;
-        float degEastward = fmod(((lngNode - lngCenter) + 360), 360);      // Degrees traveled east from lngCenter to reach node
-        float degWestward = abs(fmod(((lngNode - lngCenter) - 360), 360)); // Degrees traveled west from lngCenter to reach node
+        float degEastward = fmod(((lngNode - lngCenter) + 360), 360);      // Degrees east from center to node
+        float degWestward = abs(fmod(((lngNode - lngCenter) - 360), 360)); // Degrees west from center to node
         if (degEastward < degWestward)
             easternmost = max(easternmost, lngCenter + degEastward);
         else
@@ -356,7 +724,7 @@ void InkHUD::MapApplet::getMapSize(uint32_t *widthMeters, uint32_t *heightMeters
 // Convert and store info we need for drawing a marker
 // Lat / long to "meters relative to map center", for position on screen
 // Info about hopsAway, for marker size
-InkHUD::MapApplet::Marker InkHUD::MapApplet::calculateMarker(float lat, float lng, bool hasHopsAway, uint8_t hopsAway)
+InkHUD::MapApplet::Marker InkHUD::MapApplet::calculateMarker(float lat, float lng, uint8_t hopsAway)
 {
     assert(lat != 0 || lng != 0); // Not null island. Applets should check this before calling.
 
@@ -369,11 +737,9 @@ InkHUD::MapApplet::Marker InkHUD::MapApplet::calculateMarker(float lat, float ln
     float northMeters = cos(bearingFromCenter) * distanceFromCenter;
     float eastMeters = sin(bearingFromCenter) * distanceFromCenter;
 
-    // Store this as a new marker
     Marker m;
     m.eastMeters = eastMeters;
     m.northMeters = northMeters;
-    m.hasHopsAway = hasHopsAway;
     m.hopsAway = hopsAway;
     return m;
 }
@@ -385,11 +751,7 @@ void InkHUD::MapApplet::drawLabeledMarker(meshtastic_NodeInfoLite *node)
     meshtastic_PositionLite pos;
     const bool hasPos = nodeDB->copyNodePosition(node->num, pos);
     assert(hasPos);
-    Marker m = calculateMarker(pos.latitude_i * 1e-7,  // Lat, converted from Meshtastic's internal int32 style
-                               pos.longitude_i * 1e-7, // Long, converted from Meshtastic's internal int32 style
-                               node->has_hops_away,    // Is the hopsAway number valid
-                               node->hops_away         // Hops away
-    );
+    Marker m = calculateMarker(pos.latitude_i * 1e-7, pos.longitude_i * 1e-7, node->hops_away);
 
     // Convert to pixel coords
     int16_t markerX = X(0.5) + (m.eastMeters * metersToPx);
@@ -412,8 +774,6 @@ void InkHUD::MapApplet::drawLabeledMarker(meshtastic_NodeInfoLite *node)
     uint8_t markerSize;
 
     bool tooManyHops = node->hops_away > config.lora.hop_limit;
-    bool isOurNode = node->num == nodeDB->getNodeNum();
-    bool unknownHops = !node->has_hops_away && !isOurNode;
 
     // Parse any non-ascii chars in the short name,
     // and use last 4 instead if unknown / can't render
@@ -426,8 +786,6 @@ void InkHUD::MapApplet::drawLabeledMarker(meshtastic_NodeInfoLite *node)
     // Pick emblem style
     if (tooManyHops)
         markerSize = getTextWidth("!");
-    else if (unknownHops)
-        markerSize = markerSizeMin;
     else
         markerSize = map(node->hops_away, 0, config.lora.hop_limit, markerSizeMax, markerSizeMin);
 
@@ -482,27 +840,18 @@ void InkHUD::MapApplet::drawLabeledMarker(meshtastic_NodeInfoLite *node)
     if (tooManyHops)
         printAt(markerX, markerY, "!", CENTER, MIDDLE);
     else
-        drawCross(markerX, markerY, markerSize); // The fewer the hops, the larger the marker. Also handles unknownHops
+        drawCross(markerX, markerY, markerSize);
 }
 
 // Check if we actually have enough nodes which would be shown on the map
-// Need at least two, to draw a sensible map
 bool InkHUD::MapApplet::enoughMarkers()
 {
-    size_t count = 0;
     for (size_t i = 0; i < nodeDB->getNumMeshNodes(); i++) {
         meshtastic_NodeInfoLite *node = nodeDB->getMeshNodeByIndex(i);
-
-        // Count nodes
         if (nodeDB->hasValidPosition(node) && shouldDrawNode(node))
-            count++;
-
-        // We need to find two
-        if (count == 2)
-            return true; // Two nodes is enough for a sensible map
+            return true;
     }
-
-    return false; // No nodes would be drawn (or just the one, uselessly at 0,0)
+    return false;
 }
 
 // Calculate how far north and east of map center each node is
@@ -529,36 +878,30 @@ void InkHUD::MapApplet::calculateAllMarkers()
         if (node->num == nodeDB->getNodeNum())
             continue;
 
+        // Skip nodes with unknown hop count — partial info, not useful to plot
+        if (!node->has_hops_away)
+            continue;
+
         meshtastic_PositionLite pos;
         if (!nodeDB->copyNodePosition(node->num, pos))
             continue;
 
-        // Calculate marker and store it
-        markers.push_back(calculateMarker(pos.latitude_i * 1e-7,  // Lat, converted from Meshtastic's internal int32 style
-                                          pos.longitude_i * 1e-7, // Long, converted from Meshtastic's internal int32 style
-                                          node->has_hops_away,    // Is the hopsAway number valid
-                                          node->hops_away         // Hops away
-                                          ));
+        markers.push_back(calculateMarker(pos.latitude_i * 1e-7, pos.longitude_i * 1e-7, node->hops_away));
     }
 }
 
-// Determine the conversion factor between metres, and pixels on screen
-// May be overridden by derived applet, if custom scale required (fixed map size?)
 void InkHUD::MapApplet::calculateMapScale()
 {
-    // Aspect ratio of map and screen
-    // - larger = wide, smaller = tall
-    // - used to set scale, so that widest map dimension fits in applet
+    if (widthMeters == 0 || heightMeters == 0) {
+        metersToPx = 0;
+        return;
+    }
     float mapAspectRatio = (float)widthMeters / heightMeters;
     float appletAspectRatio = (float)width() / height();
-
-    // "Shrink to fit"
-    // Scale the map so that the largest dimension is fully displayed
-    // Because aspect ratio will be maintained, the other dimension will appear "padded"
     if (mapAspectRatio > appletAspectRatio)
-        metersToPx = (float)width() / widthMeters; // Too wide for applet. Constrain to fit width.
+        metersToPx = (float)width() / widthMeters;
     else
-        metersToPx = (float)height() / heightMeters; // Too tall for applet. Constrain to fit height.
+        metersToPx = (float)height() / heightMeters;
 }
 
 // Draw an x, centered on a specific point
diff --git a/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/Bases/Map/MapApplet.h b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/Bases/Map/MapApplet.h
index 11dfb39d9..fe1ff8d7a 100644
--- a/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/Bases/Map/MapApplet.h
+++ b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/Bases/Map/MapApplet.h
@@ -15,10 +15,13 @@ The base applet doesn't handle any events; this is left to the derived applets.
 #pragma once
 
 #include "configuration.h"
+#include <list>
 
 #include "graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applet.h"
 
+#include "GPSStatus.h"
 #include "MeshModule.h"
+#include "Observer.h"
 #include "gps/GeoCoord.h"
 
 namespace NicheGraphics::InkHUD
@@ -27,33 +30,55 @@ namespace NicheGraphics::InkHUD
 class MapApplet : public Applet
 {
   public:
+    MapApplet();
     void onRender(bool full) override;
 
+    MapApplet *asMapApplet() override { return this; } // Identify as MapApplet without RTTI
+
+    // Zoom lock — shared across all MapApplet instances (static)
+    static constexpr int ZOOM_MAX_NO_TILES = 16;
+
+    void zoomIn();
+    void zoomOut();
+    void resetZoom();
+    bool isZoomLocked() const { return s_zoomLocked; }
+    bool canZoomIn() const;
+    bool canZoomOut() const;
+
   protected:
     virtual bool shouldDrawNode(meshtastic_NodeInfoLite *node) { return true; } // Allow derived applets to filter the nodes
     virtual void getMapCenter(float *lat, float *lng);
     virtual void getMapSize(uint32_t *widthMeters, uint32_t *heightMeters);
 
-    bool enoughMarkers();                                  // Anything to draw?
+    virtual bool enoughMarkers();                          // Anything to draw?
     void drawLabeledMarker(meshtastic_NodeInfoLite *node); // Highlight a specific marker
 
   private:
+    int onGpsStatusUpdate(const meshtastic::Status *status);
+    CallbackObserver<MapApplet, const meshtastic::Status *> gpsStatusObserver =
+        CallbackObserver<MapApplet, const meshtastic::Status *>(this, &MapApplet::onGpsStatusUpdate);
+
+    static bool s_zoomLocked;
+    static int s_lockedZoom;
+    static int s_lastRenderedZoom;
+    static int s_autoFitZoom; // Zoom chosen by auto-fit (updated whenever not locked)
     // Position and size of a marker to be drawn
     struct Marker {
         float eastMeters = 0;  // Meters east of map center. Negative if west.
         float northMeters = 0; // Meters north of map center. Negative if south.
-        bool hasHopsAway = false;
-        uint8_t hopsAway = 0; // Determines marker size
+        uint8_t hopsAway = 0;  // Determines marker size
     };
 
-    Marker calculateMarker(float lat, float lng, bool hasHopsAway, uint8_t hopsAway);
+    Marker calculateMarker(float lat, float lng, uint8_t hopsAway);
     void calculateAllMarkers();
     void calculateMapScale();                           // Conversion factor for meters to pixels
+    void drawMapTileBackground(int zoom);               // Draw georeferenced tile at zoom
     void drawCross(int16_t x, int16_t y, uint8_t size); // Draw the X used for most markers
 
-    float metersToPx = 0; // Conversion factor for meters to pixels
-    float latCenter = 0;  // Map center: latitude
-    float lngCenter = 0;  // Map center: longitude
+    float metersToPx = 0;         // Conversion factor for meters to pixels
+    float latCenter = 0;          // Map center: latitude
+    float lngCenter = 0;          // Map center: longitude
+    bool centerIsOurNode = false; // True if map is centered on our own position (GPS or phone)
 
     std::list<Marker> markers;
     uint32_t widthMeters = 0;  // Map width: meters
diff --git a/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/Bases/Map/MapTile.h b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/Bases/Map/MapTile.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fee0f60f9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/Bases/Map/MapTile.h
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+#pragma once
+#include <stdint.h>
+
+static const int map_tile_count = 0;
+static const int map_tile_zooms[] = {};
+static const int map_tile_tx[] = {};
+static const int map_tile_ty[] = {};
+static const int map_tile_sizes[] = {};
+static const uint8_t *map_tile_data[] = {};
diff --git a/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/System/Menu/MenuAction.h b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/System/Menu/MenuAction.h
index 4c70c434f..e3011b0e2 100644
--- a/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/System/Menu/MenuAction.h
+++ b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/System/Menu/MenuAction.h
@@ -130,6 +130,10 @@ enum MenuAction {
     RESET_NODEDB_ALL,
     RESET_NODEDB_KEEP_FAVORITES,
     WIPE_MESSAGES_ALL,
+    // Map zoom (MapApplet and FavoritesMapApplet)
+    MAP_ZOOM_IN,
+    MAP_ZOOM_OUT,
+    MAP_ZOOM_RESET,
 };
 
 } // namespace NicheGraphics::InkHUD
diff --git a/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/System/Menu/MenuApplet.cpp b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/System/Menu/MenuApplet.cpp
index 288dc0037..2024f17c6 100644
--- a/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/System/Menu/MenuApplet.cpp
+++ b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/System/Menu/MenuApplet.cpp
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 #include "RTC.h"
 #include "Router.h"
 #include "airtime.h"
+#include "graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/Bases/Map/MapApplet.h"
 #include "graphics/niche/Utils/FlashData.h"
 #include "main.h"
 #include "mesh/generated/meshtastic/deviceonly.pb.h"
@@ -1021,6 +1022,27 @@ void InkHUD::MenuApplet::execute(MenuItem item)
         inkhud->forceUpdate(Drivers::EInk::UpdateTypes::FULL, true);
         break;
 
+    case MAP_ZOOM_IN: {
+        MapApplet *mapApplet = borrowedTileOwner ? borrowedTileOwner->asMapApplet() : nullptr;
+        if (mapApplet)
+            mapApplet->zoomIn();
+        break;
+    }
+
+    case MAP_ZOOM_OUT: {
+        MapApplet *mapApplet = borrowedTileOwner ? borrowedTileOwner->asMapApplet() : nullptr;
+        if (mapApplet)
+            mapApplet->zoomOut();
+        break;
+    }
+
+    case MAP_ZOOM_RESET: {
+        MapApplet *mapApplet = borrowedTileOwner ? borrowedTileOwner->asMapApplet() : nullptr;
+        if (mapApplet)
+            mapApplet->resetZoom();
+        break;
+    }
+
     default:
         LOG_WARN("Action not implemented");
     }
@@ -1046,6 +1068,20 @@ void InkHUD::MenuApplet::showPage(MenuPage page)
             items.push_back(MenuItem("Next Tile", MenuAction::NEXT_TILE, MenuPage::ROOT)); // Only if multiple applets shown
 
         items.push_back(MenuItem("Send", MenuPage::SEND));
+
+        // Map zoom controls — only when viewing a map applet
+        {
+            MapApplet *mapApplet = borrowedTileOwner ? borrowedTileOwner->asMapApplet() : nullptr;
+            if (mapApplet) {
+                if (mapApplet->canZoomIn())
+                    items.push_back(MenuItem("Zoom In", MenuAction::MAP_ZOOM_IN, MenuPage::EXIT));
+                if (mapApplet->canZoomOut())
+                    items.push_back(MenuItem("Zoom Out", MenuAction::MAP_ZOOM_OUT, MenuPage::EXIT));
+                if (mapApplet->isZoomLocked())
+                    items.push_back(MenuItem("Reset Zoom", MenuAction::MAP_ZOOM_RESET, MenuPage::EXIT));
+            }
+        }
+
         items.push_back(MenuItem("Options", MenuPage::OPTIONS));
         // items.push_back(MenuItem("Display Off", MenuPage::EXIT)); // TODO
         items.push_back(MenuItem("Node Config", MenuPage::NODE_CONFIG));
diff --git a/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/User/FavoritesMap/FavoritesMapApplet.cpp b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/User/FavoritesMap/FavoritesMapApplet.cpp
index 290546a6f..8002219d5 100644
--- a/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/User/FavoritesMap/FavoritesMapApplet.cpp
+++ b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/User/FavoritesMap/FavoritesMapApplet.cpp
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 #include "./FavoritesMapApplet.h"
 #include "NodeDB.h"
+#include "configuration.h"
 
 using namespace NicheGraphics;
 
@@ -11,6 +12,15 @@ bool InkHUD::FavoritesMapApplet::shouldDrawNode(meshtastic_NodeInfoLite *node)
     return node && (node->num == nodeDB->getNodeNum() || nodeInfoLiteIsFavorite(node));
 }
 
+// Show map as long as our own node has a position, even with no favorites yet.
+bool InkHUD::FavoritesMapApplet::enoughMarkers()
+{
+    const meshtastic_NodeInfoLite *ourNode = nodeDB->getMeshNode(nodeDB->getNodeNum());
+    if (ourNode && nodeDB->hasValidPosition(ourNode))
+        return true;
+    return MapApplet::enoughMarkers();
+}
+
 void InkHUD::FavoritesMapApplet::onRender(bool full)
 {
     // Custom empty state text for favorites-only map.
diff --git a/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/User/FavoritesMap/FavoritesMapApplet.h b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/User/FavoritesMap/FavoritesMapApplet.h
index da5fb0dc3..3f6d3381a 100644
--- a/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/User/FavoritesMap/FavoritesMapApplet.h
+++ b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/User/FavoritesMap/FavoritesMapApplet.h
@@ -27,7 +27,10 @@ class FavoritesMapApplet : public MapApplet, public SinglePortModule
     void onRender(bool full) override;
 
   protected:
+    void onActivate() override { loopbackOk = true; }
+    void onDeactivate() override { loopbackOk = false; }
     bool shouldDrawNode(meshtastic_NodeInfoLite *node) override;
+    bool enoughMarkers() override;
     ProcessMessage handleReceived(const meshtastic_MeshPacket &mp) override;
 
     NodeNum lastFrom = 0; // Sender of most recent favorited (non-local) position packet
diff --git a/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/User/Positions/PositionsApplet.h b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/User/Positions/PositionsApplet.h
index d0d3e5f07..5cb20ed3b 100644
--- a/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/User/Positions/PositionsApplet.h
+++ b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/User/Positions/PositionsApplet.h
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ class PositionsApplet : public MapApplet, public SinglePortModule
     void onRender(bool full) override;
 
   protected:
+    void onActivate() override { loopbackOk = true; }
+    void onDeactivate() override { loopbackOk = false; }
     ProcessMessage handleReceived(const meshtastic_MeshPacket &mp) override;
 
     NodeNum lastFrom = 0; // Sender of most recent (non-local) position packet
diff --git a/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/docs/README.md b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/docs/README.md
index 2ebff37de..817b76c3f 100644
--- a/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/docs/README.md
+++ b/src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/docs/README.md
@@ -254,6 +254,20 @@ You will need to add these lines to any variants which will use your applet.
 
 If you need to create several similar applets, it might make sense to create a reusable base class. Several of these already exist in `src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/Bases`, but use these with caution, as they may be modified in future.
 
+#### Map Applet Base
+
+`MapApplet` (`src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/Bases/Map/MapApplet.h`) is a base class for applets that plot node positions on a map. It handles tile rendering, zoom control, scale bars, and GPS tracking. `PositionsApplet` and `FavoritesMapApplet` both inherit from it.
+
+##### Map Tiles
+
+Map tiles are stored in `MapTile.h` (`src/graphics/niche/InkHUD/Applets/Bases/Map/MapTile.h`). The file committed to the repository contains no tile data by default — the map applets work without tiles, falling back to the original marker-only display.
+
+Tiles are 256×256 pixels, 1-bit (column-major bit packing), compressed per tile with LZ4 to keep flash usage low.
+
+##### Zoom Controls
+
+When the menu is opened from a map applet, zoom controls appear automatically. Zoom In and Zoom Out step through the available tile zoom levels. Reset Zoom returns to the default auto-fit behavior, where the map scales to show all visible nodes.
+
 #### System Applets
 
 So far, we have been talking about "user applets". We also recognize a separate category of "system applets". These handle things like the menu, and the boot screen. These often need special handling, and need to be implemented manually.