AltoTrails - Trail Discovery App LogoAltoTrails

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions about AltoTrails

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the most common questions about ALTLAS.

GPS & Accuracy

Why is my GPS not accurate?

GPS accuracy depends on several factors:

  • Signal obstruction - Buildings, trees, or canyons can block satellite signals
  • Device quality - Older phones may have less accurate GPS chips
  • Settings - Ensure location services are set to "High Accuracy"
  • Weather - Heavy cloud cover can affect signal

See GPS Accuracy Issues for detailed troubleshooting.

How do I improve GPS accuracy?

  1. Enable "High Accuracy" mode in phone settings
  2. Calibrate your compass regularly
  3. Wait for GPS lock before starting activities
  4. Keep phone firmware updated
  5. Avoid keeping phone in deep pockets or bags

Battery & Performance

Why is ALTLAS draining my battery?

GPS tracking is power-intensive. To optimize battery:

  • Use Battery Saver recording mode
  • Close other background apps
  • Reduce screen brightness
  • Disable unnecessary features like live location sharing when not needed
  • Consider airplane mode + GPS in remote areas

See Battery Optimization for more tips.

Can I use ALTLAS without internet?

Yes! Download offline maps before your trip:

  1. Go to Maps → Download Offline Maps
  2. Select your area
  3. Download while connected to WiFi
  4. Use GPS navigation offline

See Download Offline Maps.

Subscription & Payments

What's the difference between Free and Premium?

Free Plan includes:

  • Basic trail recording
  • Limited offline maps
  • Export to GPX
  • Community trails access

Premium Plan adds:

  • Unlimited offline maps
  • Advanced statistics
  • Route planning tools
  • Heatmap layers
  • Priority support

See Subscription Plans for complete comparison.

How do I upgrade to Premium?

  1. Open Profile
  2. Tap Upgrade to Premium
  3. Choose billing period (monthly/yearly)
  4. Complete payment
  5. Premium features activate immediately

Can I cancel my subscription?

Yes, cancel anytime:

  • iOS: Settings → Subscriptions → ALTLAS → Cancel
  • Android: Play Store → Subscriptions → ALTLAS → Cancel
  • You keep Premium until current period ends

Recording & Tracking

How do I start recording a trail?

  1. Tap the large red button on the main screen
  2. Wait for GPS lock (usually 5-30 seconds)
  3. Start moving when ready
  4. The app records automatically

See Recording Trails.

Does recording work offline?

Yes! Recording uses GPS only, no internet required. Your track is saved locally and uploads when you're back online.

Navigation & Routes

How do I navigate a saved route?

  1. Go to Profile → Saved Routes
  2. Select the route you want to navigate
  3. Tap Start Navigation
  4. Follow the on-screen directions

See Start Navigation.

Can I navigate offline?

Yes, if you have:

  • The route saved locally
  • Offline maps downloaded for the area
  • GPS enabled (no internet needed)

See Offline Navigation.

How do I create a custom route?

Use the route planning tool:

  1. Tap Plan from the main menu
  2. Choose activity type
  3. Tap waypoints on the map
  4. Save your route

See Planning Routes.

Importing & Exporting

How do I import a GPX file?

Method 1 - From Profile:

  1. Go to Profile → Import
  2. Select GPX file
  3. Review and confirm import

Method 2 - From File Manager:

  1. Find GPX file in your device
  2. Tap to open
  3. Choose "Open with ALTLAS"

See Import GPX.

How do I export my activities?

  1. Open any recorded activity
  2. Tap Share or Export
  3. Choose Export as GPX
  4. Select save location or sharing method

See Export GPX.

What file formats are supported?

  • Import: GPX, KML, KMZ
  • Export: GPX (most compatible format)

Privacy & Sharing

Who can see my activities?

You control visibility:

  • Private - Only you
  • Friends - Selected contacts only
  • Public - All ALTLAS users
  • Link - Anyone with the link

Change in activity settings or profile privacy settings.

How do I share my live location?

  1. Start recording
  2. Tap Share button
  3. Select Share Live Location
  4. Send the link to contacts

Recipients don't need the app - they view in a browser.

See Share Live Location.

Can I delete my data?

Yes, you can:

  • Delete individual activities
  • Request full data export
  • Request account deletion

Go to Settings → Privacy → Data Management.

Maps & Layers

How do I change the map type?

  1. Tap Layers icon on the map
  2. Choose from:
    • Topographic
    • Satellite
    • Hybrid
    • Street Map
  3. Tap to apply

See Map Types.

What are heatmaps?

Heatmaps show where the community is most active. They help discover popular trails and avoid crowds.

Enable in Layers → Heatmap.

See Heatmap Layer.

How much storage do offline maps use?

Varies by area:

  • Small region (10km²): ~50-100 MB
  • Large region (100km²): ~500 MB - 1 GB
  • Mountainous areas: More data (detailed terrain)

Use WiFi to download large areas.

Technical Issues

The app keeps crashing

Try these steps:

  1. Update to the latest version
  2. Clear cache: Settings → Storage → Clear Cache
  3. Restart your device
  4. Reinstall the app (your data is backed up)

If issues persist, contact support with device model and OS version.

My compass is pointing the wrong way

Calibrate your compass:

  1. Open ALTLAS
  2. Go to Settings → Compass
  3. Follow calibration instructions (usually figure-8 motion)

See Compass Calibration.

Sync issues between devices

Ensure:

  • Logged into same account on all devices
  • Connected to internet
  • Background sync enabled in settings
  • Latest app version installed

Manual sync: Profile → Settings → Sync Now

Getting More Help

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