Start with your
first waypoint.

01 / Start here

Your first five minutes

Get a location fix, save a point, and start navigating.

1. Open Location. Allow location access when iOS asks; enable Precise Location for a useful field fix. Go outside with a clear view of the sky and wait for coordinates and accuracy to appear.
2. Check Settings → Datums and Location Formats. Use WGS84 unless your map or team specifies another datum. In Units and Formats, choose your preferred distance, altitude, angle, and speed units.
3. On Location, open the ••• menu → Mark Point. Name the waypoint “Start”, review its position, and tap Save. This gives you a point to return to.
4. Open Navigate and tap Select Destination. Choose Start. Bearing and distance refer to that saved point; the arrow needs a compass heading as well as a location fix.
5. Open Map and find your point. Before leaving coverage, open Map Settings → Download Current View…, choose the area and detail, then Download. Check Manage Offline Regions for Complete.
6. Open Overlays to find your saved points. Return to Settings → User Guide anytime; the guide is bundled with the app and works offline.

Before you head out

Practice with a nearby, known point first. A 10-digit grid describes a 1 m cell; it does not mean the GPS fix is accurate to 1 m. Read the reported accuracy and verify the position against the terrain.

Check your battery, the downloaded map coverage, and the map type you will use. Test the area in Airplane Mode before departure. Keep a backup navigation method.

02 / Field basics

Read and enter coordinates

Understand the Location display, formats, accuracy, and datums.

1. Tap the large coordinate on Location to cycle MGRS, USNG, UTM, and latitude/longitude (decimal degrees, degrees/minutes/seconds, and degrees/decimal minutes).
2. Long-press the coordinate and choose Copy Coordinate. To send your current fix with map links, use ••• → Share Current Location.
3. For a point you already know, use coordinate entry on Map or edit a waypoint’s coordinate. Enter the complete grid reference when possible, then review the resulting map position before saving.

Make a grid unambiguous

An MGRS reference has a grid zone, a 100 km square, and equal-length easting and northing groups. Read easting first, then northing. A shortened numeric grid depends on the surrounding grid square; confirm the zone and square when exchanging it.

Settings → Truncated Grids chooses the southwest corner or center when resolving a shortened grid. Everyone using the same reference should agree on the convention.

GPS and map elevation are different

Location shows the device’s GPS altitude when available. Terrain elevation on Map and in waypoint tools comes from a terrain dataset. They can differ. Missing or poor fixes, indoor use, and approximate location can reduce accuracy.

The displayed coordinate format and datum apply across the app. Match the datum of your source map before comparing coordinates.

Course and time on Location

GPS Course is your direction of travel over the ground, expressed relative to true north. It can be unavailable while stationary; use Navigate for the compass orientation and destination arrow. Missing readings display dashes while the app waits for measurements.

The date/time readout uses your device’s local time and its military time-zone letter (Z for UTC). Fractional or very large offsets are shown numerically, for example UTC+0545. The suffix changes with daylight saving time.

03 / Field basics

Save and edit waypoints

Mark a current position, place a point on the map, and keep it organized.

1. To save where you are, use Location → ••• → Mark Point. To save a map position, move the map crosshair to the point and tap the add-waypoint button.
2. Give the point a useful name. Review the coordinate and overlay, then choose a color, icon, or tactical symbol if useful. Tap Save.
3. Open Overlays, select the overlay, then select a waypoint to edit its name, coordinate, notes, or appearance. Use Adjust position on map to move it visually.
4. Use Move to Overlay to file a point in another overlay. When leaving an edited point, choose Save or Discard when prompted.

Project a point (Pro)

Open an existing waypoint → Project Point…. Enter a bearing and a positive distance in the units shown, tap Calculate, review the result, then Save as Waypoint. Bearings for projection are true bearings.

Saving a point does not start navigation. Choose Navigate to waypoint separately when you are ready.

04 / Field basics

Navigate to a saved point

Choose a destination and read bearing, distance, and the direction arrow.

1. Open Navigate, tap Select Destination, and choose a saved waypoint. You can also open a waypoint and choose Navigate to waypoint → 10digit Navigate Screen.
2. Read the destination name, bearing, and remaining straight-line distance. Turn the phone until the direction arrow points ahead, then compare that direction with your surroundings.
3. For a proximity notification, set Settings → Arrival Distance Alert. Clear or change the destination from the destination picker when finished.

Understand what the display means

The app shows bearing and straight-line distance; it does not calculate turn-by-turn walking or driving routes. Obstacles and safe access still determine your route.

Angle / Bearing controls degrees or NATO mils (6400 per circle). True North is the default reference. Magnetic bearings use a location-based magnetic model. Grid bearings subtract the convergence of your local UTM/UPS grid. The bearing unit shows T, M, or G for the selected reference.

If the arrow is unavailable or unstable, wait for a location and heading fix, move away from metal or magnets, and follow the device’s compass calibration guidance. A stationary GPS course is not a compass heading.

05 / Field basics

Use the map and ruler

Read the crosshair, change the map, measure a leg, and recenter.

1. Drag the map to explore. The coordinate at the crosshair refers to the center of the map, which can be different from your current GPS position. Tap the crosshair readout to copy it.
2. Use the location control to recenter on your fix. Its follow, heading, and north-up states control how the map follows you and rotates.
3. Open Map Settings to choose the map type, grid, labels, scale, and rotation. Available map types vary by build and configuration.
4. Tap the ruler tool. Drag the endpoints to measure distance and bearing; enable Snap to Waypoints in Map Settings to align measurement handles with saved points. Close the ruler when finished.

Map visibility

Only visible overlays draw their waypoints on the map. If a saved point is missing, check its overlay’s visibility and zoom to that point from its detail screen.

Online maps request tiles from the selected provider. The general area you view may be visible to that provider. For offline work, explicitly download the map region or import local raster MBTiles.

06 / Field basics

Prepare maps for offline use

Download the right area and detail before you lose signal.

1. While online, open Map and frame the area you need. Open Map Settings → Download Current View….
2. Name the region, choose a supported Map Type, Detail Level, and Area. Around current location needs a GPS fix. Larger areas and higher detail use more storage and take longer.
3. Include Terrain elevation data if you will need offline elevation or line of sight. Tap Download and wait for completion.
4. Open Map Settings → Manage Offline Regions and check that the map region is Complete. Check Terrain Elevation separately if you downloaded terrain.
5. Switch to the downloaded map type and test pan and zoom in Airplane Mode. Keep your test inside the saved area and downloaded zoom levels.

Limits and local map files

The free app allows up to three offline regions. Pro removes that region limit. Delete an unused region from Manage Offline Regions to free a slot.

Map Settings → Import MBTiles… loads a local raster MBTiles file and adds it to Map Type. An imported map can have its own coverage and zoom limits.

Online-only imagery styles cannot be downloaded through this tool. Automatically cached tiles are not a substitute for a completed offline region. A base-map download alone does not guarantee offline terrain data.

07 / Field basics

Organize overlays

Use layers to group points and control what you see.

1. Open Overlays. Create an overlay with the + button and give it a recognizable name.
2. Set an overlay active to choose where new points are saved. Visibility is separate: use the eye control to show or hide an overlay on Map.
3. Open an overlay to see its points. Use Edit overlay to change its name and default appearance. Applying defaults to existing waypoints asks for confirmation.
4. Use a waypoint’s Move to Overlay action to regroup it. Swipe an overlay to find export or sharing actions.

Avoid accidental loss

Deleting an overlay also removes its contents from your local library. Export a copy first if you may need it later. Shared-overlay roles can restrict editing; a view-only overlay cannot be edited like a local layer.

08 / Field basics

Record and review tracks

Keep a GPS record of your movement.

1. Open Map and use its track-recording controls to start a track. Allow the location permission requested for recording; background recording also needs the appropriate iOS location access.
2. Pause when you want to stop collecting points temporarily, then resume to continue. Stop to finish and save the recording.
3. Open Overlays → Tracks using the segmented control. Select a track to review it, change map visibility, or export GPX.

Recording expectations

Recording can continue while you switch tabs or lock the screen when iOS permits background location. Force-quitting the app stops its work. Verify that recording is active before setting off.

GPS reception, permissions, and battery settings affect recorded points. Pausing stops point collection; moving during the pause is not added to the distance total.

09 / Field basics

Import, export, and back up

Bring in existing points and share usable files.

1. In Files, AirDrop, or another app’s share sheet, send a supported file to 10digit. Review the import preview and confirm the destination before importing.
2. Supported imports include GPX, KML/KMZ, CSV, GeoJSON, text coordinates, native 10digit JSON backups, encrypted layers (.mgrsenc), and MilGPS backups (.milgpsbackup). Content and coordinate fields must be valid for that format.
3. To export an overlay, use its Export action, choose a format, then use the system share sheet to Save to Files or send it.
4. For backups and broader transfer options, open Settings → Import, Export & Backup. Keep a known-good copy before replacing or deleting data.

Free and Pro formats

GPX, CSV, and text overlay exports are available without Pro. KML, GeoJSON, and TAK Data Package exports require Pro. Track export uses GPX.

Password-protected encrypted layer export (.mgrsenc) requires Pro. Enter and confirm a password, encrypt, then choose the destination in the share sheet. Share the password separately and keep it safe; without it, the layer cannot be recovered.

The .milgpsbackup marker is a compatibility format name. Importing data is not the same as enabling live team synchronization.

What a backup contains

Back Up Everything saves overlays and waypoints in a native 10digit JSON file. Encrypted Backup (Pro) protects that data with a password. Export recorded tracks separately as GPX; downloaded maps and all app preferences are not included in the waypoint backup. Restoring a purchase does not restore your local data.

MilGPS backup export is for restoring in MilGPS. Tactical symbols, range tools, and tracks are not included. Test a small transfer before moving all your data.

10 / More tools

Share a team overlay

Invite teammates, set roles, and manage optional live positions.

1. Open an overlay and choose Share Overlay. Creating a live team overlay requires Pro and a network connection. Review the sharing controls before creating an invite.
2. Send the invite link or let a teammate scan its QR code. The recipient opens the invite and confirms joining; joining is free.
3. Check the member role. Viewers read the layer; editors can contribute. Keep the app connected to synchronize changes. Offline edits synchronize when connectivity returns.
4. Enable Share Live Location only if you intend to share your position with that overlay. Check its status and turn it off when finished.
5. Use Manage Sharing to review membership, revoke invite access, leave, or end sharing as appropriate for your role.

Treat the full invite as access

Team overlay content is end-to-end encrypted. The key is carried in the invite link’s fragment (the part after #). Share the full link only with intended recipients; removing that part can make the invite unusable.

Live collaboration needs connectivity. Verify sync status before relying on a recent edit. Ending or leaving a share changes collaboration; keep an export if you need an independent archive.

11 / More tools

Elevation and line of sight

Inspect terrain along a measurement and understand the limits.

1. Check terrain elevation at the map crosshair or in waypoint details. Download terrain with your offline map if you will be outside coverage.
2. With Pro, enable Settings → Line of Sight (Terrain), then open the line-of-sight tool on Map.
3. Drag O (observer) and T (target) to your endpoints. Adjust the observer and target heights above ground as needed. Snap to Waypoints can help place them precisely.
4. Wait for the analysis to finish, inspect the elevation profile and visible or masked terrain, and use the profile’s sharing controls if needed.

What the terrain model can tell you

Line of sight is a terrain estimate. Dataset resolution and missing samples affect results; buildings, foliage, and current conditions may not be represented. A missing or incomplete profile is not evidence of visibility.

Check both endpoint heights and the actual ground before making field decisions.

12 / More tools

Range planning tools

Enable and organize emplacements, danger zones, impact areas, and phase lines.

1. With Pro, enable Range Tools in Settings. Open the range-planning controls on Map or within an overlay.
2. Add an emplacement, select the weapon or template, set its position and direction, and review the surface danger zone (SDZ) drawn on the map.
3. Add and edit impact areas or phase lines for the plan. Review coordinates, distances, angles, and overlay visibility after each edit.
4. Reopen the saved item to inspect or adjust its parameters. Use the supported overlay export or sharing controls to move your plan.

Planning use

These are planning aids. Check the selected template, ammunition assumptions, terrain, local range rules, and applicable approved safety publications. A rendered SDZ is not authorization to fire or a certified safety determination.

13 / More tools

Connect to a TAK network

Exchange live Cursor-on-Target data with a configured team network.

1. With Pro, open Settings → TAK Network, enable TAK Networking, and review the experimental-feature notice.
2. Choose the connection method. For TAK Server, use the server host, port, TLS, and certificate or enrollment details supplied by your administrator. For mesh, the device and build must support multicast and be on the appropriate local network.
3. Press Connect and inspect connection state and contacts. Grant Local Network access if iOS asks and the connection requires it.
4. Broadcast My Position is a separate opt-in. Enable it only when you intend to send your position; connecting alone does not enable that switch.
5. Choose overlays to publish if required. Disconnect when finished and switch off broadcasting when it is no longer wanted.

Troubleshoot a connection

TAK networking is experimental. Verify interoperability with your team before field use. Check server credentials, certificates, TLS, port, and local-network permissions if no contacts appear.

Mesh is unavailable in Simulator and in builds without the required entitlement. Exporting a TAK Data Package does not require a live TAK connection.

14 / More tools

Apple Watch and glance displays

Read your grid and carry a selected destination to your watch.

1. Install the companion app on your paired Apple Watch. Open 10digit on iPhone and allow the location access needed on each device.
2. Select a destination on iPhone, then open the watch app to view its navigation display. Keep both devices available while the selection synchronizes.
3. Save a waypoint from the watch when needed. Open the iPhone app to let pending saves synchronize, then confirm the point appears in Overlays.
4. Add the available watch complication or iPhone widget through the system’s face or Home Screen editor if you want a glance display.

Freshness matters

Watch connectivity and widget refresh are controlled partly by the system. A cached glance can be older than the live Location screen. Open the app for a fresh fix and check pending watch saves on the phone.

15 / Help

Settings, privacy, and Pro

Tune the field display and understand the optional unlock.

1. In Settings → Display, choose Night Vision Mode, Keep Screen On, and Compass Calibration Screen. Location → ••• also switches night mode.
2. Under Units and Formats, set coordinate format, datum, distance, altitude, angle, speed, north reference, and arrival alert. Match the labels and conventions used by your team.
3. Open Privacy & Security to choose analytics or device authentication. No account is needed for local navigation. Analytics are off unless you opt in.
4. Open the Pro purchase screen to review the current one-time price and included features. Use Restore Purchases with the Apple Account used for a previous iOS purchase.

What Pro adds

Pro adds unlimited offline regions, KML and GeoJSON export, encrypted layer export, creating team overlays, extra datums, point projection, terrain line of sight, Range Tools, TAK networking, and clean sharing. Availability follows the features enabled in your build.

The free app includes coordinate readouts, saved points, track recording, supported imports, three offline regions, and joining team overlays. Android purchases and feature availability can differ; this guide describes the iOS app.

Local waypoints and tracks stay on your device unless you choose to transfer or share them. Online map providers receive tile requests, and enabled team or TAK features send the data needed for those connections.

16 / Help

Troubleshooting in the field

Resolve missing locations, points, maps, and features.

Location stays on Acquiring GPS

Go outside and allow time for a fix. Check iOS Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → 10digit. Allow location while using the app and enable Precise Location. Reopen the app after changing permissions.

Saved point is not on Map

Open its overlay and turn visibility on. Open the point and choose Show waypoint on map. Check that the coordinate and datum are the ones you intended.

Offline map is blank

Check Manage Offline Regions for Complete. Select the downloaded map type and stay inside its area and zoom range. Terrain requires its own downloaded data. Reconnect to finish an incomplete download.

Cannot find a tool

Line of sight, Range Tools, and TAK require Pro plus their Settings opt-in. Tracks are under Overlays → Tracks. Training and experimental imagery may be absent from release builds; this guide does not require them.

Import, sync, or purchase needs attention

For imports, confirm the file extension and coordinate columns and read the preview error. For team sync, check connectivity, role, full invite link, and inline sync status. For purchases, check the Apple Account and use Restore Purchases.

Contact Support from Settings to include the app version and build in an email. Describe the steps, expected result, and what happened. Remove private coordinates, invite links, passwords, and server credentials from any screenshots or attachments.