Geo-Harbor

Instructions

Step-by-step guide for how to activate and control each feature in the app.

Getting started

  1. 1
    Download APKGo to geo-harbor.se and tap Download app. Save the APK file on your phone.
  2. 2
    Install the appOpen the file in the file manager. Android will ask if you want to allow installation from an unknown source — tap Allow. Requires Android 8 or later.
  3. 3
    Grant permissionsStart the app. It asks for GPS access (choose Allow all the time for background tracking), activity recognition (to detect walking/cycling/vehicle) and notification permission. All three are needed for the app to work fully.
  4. 4
    Enter nickname and emailChoose a nickname visible to others in the group. Your email address is only used for membership recovery after reinstallation and is not visible to others.
  5. 5
    Create or join a groupTap Create group to start a new group and receive a 6-character code, or tap Join and enter the code you received. You can be in multiple groups and switch active group from the menu.
  6. 6
    Share the code and approve othersAs owner: share the code verbally, send it via other apps, or tap Manage group → Invite to send an email link. When someone applies to join you receive a notification — approve them under Manage group.

The map

Navigate the map

Drag to pan. Pinch in/out to zoom. Double-tap to zoom in on a point.

Center on yourself

Tap the location icon (⸻ arrow) at the bottom right to center the map on your position.

Follow another person

Tap a group member's icon or name on the map. The map locks onto that person and follows them automatically. Tap again or pan to unlock.

Compass and heading

The compass is shown at the top right of the map. It rotates with the phone's heading. Tap it to reset the map rotation to north.

Weather and wind layer

Tap the cloud icon in the toolbar (🌧) to toggle weather animation. Shows real-time temperature and animated wind arrows on the map.

Search for a place

Tap the search icon (🔍) at the top of the app. Type an address or place name. Tap a search result to move the map there.

Markers

Add a marker

Long-press any location on the map for about one second until a dialog opens. Choose an icon (e.g. tent, parking, warning), write a short description. You can also add a photo with the camera button. Tap Save.

View a marker

Tap a marker on the map to see name, description, creator and any photo in a card at the bottom.

Edit or delete

Tap the marker → tap the pencil icon (✎) in the card to edit description or icon. Tap the trash icon (🗑) to delete.

Move a marker

Long-press an existing marker until it starts to move. Drag it to a new position and release.

Groups and members

Switch active group

Open the hamburger menu (☰ three lines top left) → tap Switch group. Select a group from the list. You can also delete saved groups with the trash icon.

Manage group (owner)

Hamburger menu → Manage group. Shows all members with online/offline status. As owner you can remove a specific member with the trash icon next to their name.

Invite via email

Manage group → Invite. Enter the email address of who you want to invite. They receive an email with a link that automatically fills in the group code.

Approve pending requests

As owner you receive a notification when someone applies. Hamburger menu → Manage group → Pending → approve or decline with the buttons.

Leave a group

Hamburger menu → Manage group → Leave group. Confirm in the dialog. If you are the owner and there are other members, ownership is automatically transferred to the next person.

Update nickname

Hamburger menu → Profile → change nickname → Save. The change is visible to others in the group immediately.

Property boundaries

Import GPX file

Hamburger menu → Property → Import GPX. Select a GPX file from your phone. The app shows the number of points found and draws a preview on the map.

Confirm and share

Tap Import and save in the dialog. The boundary is saved and shared immediately with the whole group — everyone sees the boundary on the map without having to import the file themselves.

Draw boundary manually

Hamburger menu → Property → Draw property boundary. Tap the map to place points along the boundary. At least 3 points are required. Tap Save when done. Tap Clear to start over.

Delete a boundary

Hamburger menu → Property → Draw property boundary → long-press an existing boundary on the map to select and delete it. Alternatively: tap Clear to remove all boundaries.

GPX files for hunting

Good sources for GPX files with land boundaries: the Swedish land registry map service (lantmateriet.se), Jaktmarker, or mapping apps that export GPX. The file can contain track points, route points or waypoints — all formats are supported.

Emergency alarm

Trigger an alarm

Tap the alarm button (🚨 red bell icon) at the top of the app. Confirm in the dialog. All group members immediately receive a push notification with your name and GPS position.

Alarm on the recipient's device

A red banner appears in the app with the sender's name. Tap the banner to center the map on the alarm position. A pulsing marker is shown on the map.

Cancel the alarm

Tap the alarm button again (now red/active). Confirm cancellation. The banner and marker disappear for everyone.

GPS mode

Open GPS settings

Hamburger menu → GPS settings. Here you choose mode and can turn GPS tracking on/off completely.

Low power (Battery Saver)

Recommended for all-day background tracking. Uses network-based positioning without waking the GPS chip. Position is only sent on movement > 100 m — nothing is sent when you are stationary. Best for battery life.

Balanced

A good compromise for everyday use. FLP stream using GPS, WiFi and cell towers. Position updates on movement and GPS stream pauses automatically when stationary.

Active (High accuracy)

FLP stream with GPS chip active. Automatically adapts the displacement threshold to activity: 10 m walking, 30 m cycling, 50 m in vehicle. Pauses automatically when stationary. Use for hiking, hunting or cycling.

Pause GPS tracking

In GPS settings: turn off the Share position toggle to pause. You remain connected to the group and can see others, but your position is not sent.

Statistics and history

Open statistics

Hamburger menu → Statistics. Shows a list of your recorded activities grouped by day.

View an activity

Tap an activity in the list. A map shows the recorded route along with distance, average speed and top speed.

Activity types

The app automatically identifies: on foot 🚶, cycling 🚲, in vehicle 🚗. The type is shown as an icon in the activity list.

Export GPX

Open an activity → tap the share icon (⇧) to export the route as a GPX file that can be opened in e.g. komoot or OsmAnd.

Geofencing (place zones)

Open place zones

Hamburger menu → Notification settings → scroll down to GEOFENCING (PLACE ZONES). Here you see your zones and can add new ones with the + button.

Create a zone

Tap + to open the dialog. Enter a name (e.g. Home or Stable). Choose the center point — either your current position or the map center. Adjust the radius with the slider (10–5,000 m). Choose whether to be notified on arrival, departure, or both. Tap Create.

Zone shown on map

Created zones are drawn as translucent circles on the map. You can have multiple zones active at the same time.

Edit a zone

Tap a zone in the list to open the edit dialog. Change name, radius or notification settings and tap Save.

Delete a zone

Tap the trash icon next to the zone in the list. The zone is removed immediately and the circle disappears from the map.

How notifications work

The server monitors zones continuously and sends an FCM push notification via Firebase when a group member crosses into or out of a zone — works even when the app is closed. The notification shows the person's name and the zone's name. Each zone can be configured independently for arrival, departure, or both.

Zones saved centrally

Your zones are saved on the server and restored automatically if you reinstall the app — as long as you log in with the same email address.

Notifications

Open notification settings

Hamburger menu → Notification settings. Here you turn each type of notification on or off separately.

Available notification types

New group member, Marker added, Emergency alarm, Removed from group, Geofence zone crossed, GPS off (reminder), Rain warning. Each type can be toggled individually.

Mute all notifications

At the bottom of notification settings there is an option to mute all notifications without changing individual settings.