Field guide
How-to guides
Short, practical walkthroughs for everything NomadTracks can do — written for the trail, not the manual shelf.
Record your first track
start recording, watch live stats on the Lock Screen, add photos and POIs along the way, and save the track to your library.
GUIDE 02 · 10 MINGeoreference a paper map
scan or import the map, straighten the photo, set control points, pick the fit, check RMS accuracy, and navigate offline with your position on it.
GUIDE 03 · 3 MINImport GPX files
save it in Files, tap Share, pick a GPX app — and see the route, elevation and waypoints. Android steps, a no-app option and a sample GPX included.
GUIDE 04 · 5 MINPlan a route
tap waypoints, let routing snap to real roads and trails, check distance, duration and elevation, then save the route as a track and follow it outdoors.
GUIDE 05 · 4 MINTrack with Apple Watch
Record GPS, heart rate and elevation with the standalone NomadTracks Apple Watch app, customize the data fields, save workouts to Apple Health, and sync tracks back to your iPhone library.
GUIDE 06 · 3 MINOpen a GeoPDF on iPhone
Open GeoPDF maps from the USGS, BLM, forest services, state DNRs or a hunting permit portal on iPhone and Android with your live position on the map — free, unlimited and offline with NomadTracks.
GUIDE 07 · 8 MINImport Strava/Garmin history
bulk-export your data, convert to GPX where needed, and import tracks with timestamps and elevation intact.
GUIDE 08 · 5 MINMulti-day battery strategy
airplane mode, screen discipline, Apple Watch recording and power-bank math — the battery strategy behind a recorded 4,250 km expedition.
GUIDE 09 · 3 MINGPS for Wi-Fi iPads
A Wi-Fi-only iPad has no GPS chip — but it can still show your live position. NomadTracks shares your iPhone's GPS with the iPad, turning the big screen into a live chart table or dashboard map for sailing, overlanding and trip planning. Free.
GUIDE 10 · 4 MINFree BLM maps offline
The Bureau of Land Management publishes thousands of georeferenced PDF maps of US public lands for free. Load them into NomadTracks and navigate them offline with your live GPS position.
GUIDE 11 · 6 MINSync & backup
Keep your NomadTracks library in sync across iPhone, iPad and Mac with iCloud, add Dropbox (Pro) or a Synology NAS, and set up automatic backups — with your library stored on your devices and in the sync storage you choose.
GUIDE 12 · 4 MINMark a point by bearing and distance
point at what you can see, enter the compass azimuth and an estimated distance, and NomadTracks places the POI there — then navigate to it with a live bearing. The handheld-GPS workflow, free in NomadTracks.
GUIDE 13 · 2 MINMeasure an area
Measure a field, plot or parcel with the NomadTracks ruler and read m², hectares or acres. Illustrated steps for iPhone and Android, including long-press placement on Android.
GUIDE 14 · 5 MINSwitch from Avenza
Moving from Avenza Maps after the 2026 pricing change? Here's how to bring your georeferenced maps and placemarks into NomadTracks — unlimited imports, free, no account.
GUIDE 15 · 4 MINDownload offline maps
Download a NomadTracks basemap before your trip, choose its detail level, and check it in airplane mode. Step-by-step guide for iOS and Android using Chamonix.
GUIDE 16 · 5 MINOrganize field observations
add POI notes, markers and ratings, organize folders, filter your collection, and export it from NomadTracks.
Ready to try it yourself?
NomadTracks is free on the App Store and Google Play. Your first track is five minutes away.