Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

You can buy more maps through the in-app store on your iOS device. Simply press the Store button in the OutDoors app. In there you’ll see both 1:50k map regions and 1:25k map regions. 1:50k map regions are split into huge areas of GB such as South East, South West or Wales, shown here: https://outdoorsgps.com/regions .

The 1:25k maps are offered as English or Welsh Counties or Scottish Divisions, shown here : https://outdoorsgps.com/25kmaps .

To see the availiable 25k areas outlined on a map of Great Britain Click Here.

25k National Park maps are also availiable individually.

To see examples of the different types of OS map as shown in the app click here.

Simply choose your region and press Details then Buy, then the maps will be permanently downloaded to your device. You can delete and re-download them at any time as well as install them on your other iOS devices using your Apple ID.

Please go to this link to view the 25k boundaries on a top level map : 25k Boundaries

Note the link requires flash so you need to view it from your desktop PC or MAC (iPhones/iPads don’t yet support flash).

The OutDoors app on its own is a base map on which you download (through the in-app Store) your specifically desired regional or county maps, which apply to the main map. You will then be able to zoom in to these areas to the detail of the purchase (1:50k or 1:25k).

Maps for regions and counties can easily be added from the in-App store of the OutDoors app as described below:

Tap the Store icon in the app.

At the top of the store list are any free bundled maps available to download (including your free National Parks download - if you purchased the OutDoors GB with National Parks app).

You can also check which maps are installed by tapping the ‘My Maps’ tab at the top of the store screen.

Once you have downloaded your required detailed maps from the map store, simply return to the Map screen, and zoom into your downloaded area and the detailed maps will appear automatically.

The most effective method of zooming in for this application is too double-tap the screen, as opposed to the pinch-and-grab technique, which sometimes just enlarges the current view detail instead of allowing the map to reveal its layers of detail (1:50k after about four double-taps, 1:25k after another two). You don’t need to 'open' the maps, they are always ready on the map.

To see examples of the different types of OS map click here.

iTunes will remember apps you have purchased, if you go back to the page of the app and click buy it is always free to re-download.

Please see the Apple site for more info about re-installing apps for free: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519

Please make sure it is the SAME app as the one you originally purchased, as there are two OutDoors GB apps, one with National Parks included and one without. Your receipts will say which you purchased.

To see your iTunes purchase history, click here: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2727

If you re-install the application or install it on another device then any maps previously purchased from within the same application can be added using the Refresh purchases button on the My Maps tab in the Store.

The OutDoors apps are universal: this means they are compatible with both iPhones and iPads.
You do not need to download two apps - one will suffice for both devices, simply go into the App Store and click ‘download’ or ‘buy’ making sure you are in the same iTunes account and buying the same app as the original purchase.

Maps can be re-installed using the Refresh Purchases button on the My Maps tab in the Store.

Please make sure that outdoors is enabled and ON in your iPhone settings > Privacy > location services > OutDoors > ON

Only that the latter has some maps provided as part of the initial purchase; all GB National Parks at 1:50k. Otherwise the 2 apps are exactly the same. Please note that you cannot share maps between the two apps, you should use one app only.

On the online Route builder https://outdoorsgps.com/route/, by first creating an account. You can also import routes in gpx format to the site.

You can then upload, view, edit, save (on your device or to the web - publicly or privately) and email these routes from your device.

Here is a short guide on how to do this:

On your device, click on the 'Routes' button (bottom right of screen on main map)
Then press on the 'my routes on website' tab at the top of the page
Click log in (if not already logged in) and enter your info, or Register for a free account.

You should now be able to see all of the routes have you saved on the website.

Using a standard gesture for deleting from a list on the iPhone; just slide your finger across the track name in the list, in a right-to-left gesture ("swipe it across the route name"). This gesture brings up a red Delete button. Or press the blue arrow next to the route to see the route info page, now press the delete button.

Sign out from your Apple ID under the iPhone Settings / App Store page. Do not sign back in, but go back to the app and then retry the purchase.

This problem occurs because the Apple ID used to purchase the app is different to the Apple ID you are attempted to make a map purchase with.

Click on the ‘+’ button when viewing the route list. This starts the process and you then choose how to select the start point (current view, gazetteer or current map view). Now you can place track points by pressing on the map for 1 second then releasing your finger.

Click on the ‘+’ button when viewing the route list and then select ‘Buy from Store’. Alternatively just go to the store through Settings. Then select 'Walks' tab (middle top) and then find the area in which you would like to purchase a bunch of walks. We have packaged 20-50 routes from each content provider for each region so you get a lot of great routes with your purchase. Downloading takes about 30 seconds on a wifi.

First create an account and log in to our website here: https://outdoorsgps.com/route/

Then create your route on an OS map or Google map on the website by clicking the create button. Save the route.

Open your app and go to the routes list page.

press the 'my routes on website' tab and login to your account with the same credentials as you used on our website.

You will see a list of the routes you have created, press on the route you made to download it to the phone.

Press the 'my routes on device' tab, and then press on the route you want to follow, it will then show on the map.

You will need to have installed the map for the area from the in-app store on the settings page of the app, if you have not done so already.

If it is not letting you place points it is most likely your internet browser causing the problem.

Please try and alternate browser such as Firefox or Chrome.

These are the browser versions currently supported by the OS Openspace utility.

"OS OpenSpace supports IE6+, Firefox 1.5+, Safari 2+ Opera 8+ and Google Chrome 1+. "

If you are using Internet explorer you probably need to update it, here is the latest version http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/internet-explorer/products/ie/home

To reset your OutDoors Account password which is used for the online route builder, click here:

https://outdoorsgps.com/resetting/request

To reset your Apple ID password which is used for in-app purchases (such as maps), click here:

https://iforgot.apple.com/iForgot/iForgot.html

OutDoors will work with these devices but without the GPS functionality as these devices do not have a GPS chip and can only locate your position when you are connected to Wifi.

My iPhone is having trouble downloading the app.

The application is quite large and if you are having trouble downloading it directly to the device then Apple recommends downloading the app to iTunes and then syncing your phone.  It is also worth rebooting sometimes as this frees up memory. When downloading maps through in-app purchase, you need to be on a Wifi network or it could take some time and use up your data allowance.

The map key is availiable in the app on the Tools page.

Great Britain OS Key
France IGN Key
Germany BKG Key

Using the GPS can put an extra strain on the devices battery and there are some measures you can take to get a longer life from your battery: www.apple.com/uk/batteries/iphone.html and see our TOP TIPS as well (start with turning off Wifi, 3G and reducing the screen brightness). If you just want to browse the maps without GPS you can turn the GPS off in the iPhone settings > general > location services > on/off.

First try fully shutting down the app. This closes it, but does not delete it from your device. It is good practice to occasionally close down all other apps that are open.

• Tap the home button once to go to the home screen.
• Tap the home button twice to bring up the taskbar.
• At the bottom of the screen you’ll see a row app icons. These are the apps that are running. Slide your finger to move forward or backward through the apps. Chances are you’ll have more than the four that first show up.
• Touch one of the app icon’s and hold your finger on it until they all start wiggling. A small red circle will appear at the top left of the icon.
• Tap on the red circle and the app icon will disappear. The app is now no longer running in the background.
• When you’re done shutting things down tap the home button and the apps will stop wiggling.
• Tap the home button again to return to your home screen.
• These steps will work even if you are currently using an app. In other words, you don’t have to be on the home screen to bring up the row of running apps.

Alternatively, if the problem persists, you can try a Hard Reset of your device:

• Press-hold the Home button (big circle below the screen) and the Sleep/Wake button (on top of the iPhone) simultaneously.
• Continue holding both buttons until the iPhone shuts off and begins to restart. This will take anywhere from 15-60 seconds.
• You may let go when you see the silver Apple logo. You have now completed the hard reset successfully.

When using your device outdoors then we recommend you keep it safe from nature with a weather proof case. Our team uses the Lifedge case - http://www.lifedge.co.uk/product - which has never let us down on countless rainy and rocky hikes.

Yes, the app will work with an external bluetooth GPS. We have had excellent results with the XGPS150 - http://xgps150.dualav.com/ . If in doubt, just contact the manufacturer to check for standard iOS gps app compatibility.

The OS Explorer map is extremely detailed showing all bridleways, cycle trails and paths. It includes all public rights of way in England and Wales. You will be able to identify:

• the gradient of hills using contour lines
• where access land and administrative boundaries lie
• national trails

The maps show every detail of the landscape such as:

• farms
• pubs
• car parks
• castles

What kind of outdoor activity is the OS Explorer map suitable for?
This map is perfect for every outdoor activity you take part in. The map will get you safely from A-B following a pre-planned route or will help you to undertake impromptu days out. If you’re looking for a great new place to explore then an OS Explorer map will show you exactly what to expect when you get there.

The OS Explorer map is your ideal partner for:

• cycling
• hiking
• dog walking
• running
• orienteering

Does the map show every landmark and feature?

The level of detail on an OS Explorer map means that you will know exactly what you will encounter on your hikes and rides. The map is perfect for planning a long walk as you will find every:

• building
• tourist
• attraction
• nature reserve
• pub
• road
• lake
• river

To see examples of the 25k OS map as shown in the app click here.

The OS Landranger is less detailed than the OS Explorer map but shows a greater area. To help you plan your trips thoroughly you will be able to identify details such as:

• rights of way
• public access
• roads
• railways
• gradient of the land
• local landmarks
• picnic spots
• pubs
• campsites
• viewpoints

I want to plan a day out including a bike ride, is this the right map to use?
This is the perfect map for planning days out that include any kind of outdoor activity. As the area covered by each map is substantial you can plan your trip thoroughly to include any rest stops, overnight stays and difficult terrain into your timescale.

What kind of activity is the OS Landranger suitable for?
The OS Landranger is an excellent all purpose maps and is ideal for planning every type of outdoor activity. For example, you can plan:

• long bike rides
• orienteering activities
• mountaineering
• days out with the family
• group activities

To see examples of the 50k OS map as shown in the app click here.

Unfortunately you cannot combine the two: the OutDoors apps and the standalone OS map-apps are separate apps and are it is not possible to share maps between them. OutDoors will not be able to recognise the standalone OS map apps; it can only recognise the maps purchased from its in-app Store.
If you have mistakenly purchased a map outside of the app, you can request a refund from iTunes using the Report a Problem button on the iTunes receipt.