Settings

Guru Maps app comes preloaded with a fully functional setup, but the app settings offer additional customization options for advanced users. These settings allow you to configure app options, purchase extra features, and manage the representation of map data.

Offline Maps Settings

In the app settings menu, you can find the Offline Maps section, which enable users to customize their preferences specifically for offline vector maps.

Download Maps

1. Download for offline use

To access the list of vector maps available by country and download them for offline usage, please follow these steps:

1. Open the Guru Maps app and navigate to the settings menu.
2. Locate the "Download Maps" option and tap on it.
3. Within the "Download Maps" screen, you will see a list of available countries.
4. Tap on the desired country or region to expand the options.

From here, you have the following choices:

• Download a Map: This option allows you to download the map data for the selected country.
• Download Navigation Data: If you wish to use navigation features while offline, select this option to download the necessary navigation data.
• Download Topographic Data: To access topographic maps offline and enable overlays such as Contour Lines, Slopes, and Hillshades, choose this option. These overlays provide additional details on the basic map, enhancing your navigation experience.

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Please note that downloading maps, navigation and topographic data may require additional storage space on your device.

To pause a download, simply tap on the corresponding cell. Tapping it again will resume the download.

If you want to remove a download, swipe your finger across the cell from right to left. Then, tap the Delete button that appears, or use the Edit button located at the top right corner of the screen.

2. Update maps and navigation data

Since OpenStreetMap data is continuously updated by a global community of volunteers, map updates become available periodically within the Guru Maps app. The great news is that all vector map updates are provided free of charge and are distributed automatically. If an update is available for a previously downloaded map, you will notice an Update button next to the map.

To update all of your downloaded maps, simply tap the Update All button. This convenient option ensures that you have the most up-to-date maps and navigation data at your disposal.

3. Share maps and navigation data

It's possible to use AirDrop to share downloaded vector maps and offline navigation data between devices that are nearby when you are without an Internet connection.

Map Objects

In addition to customizing the app's appearance, you have the option to choose which objects you want to see on the vector map. Select only the points of interest that are relevant to you, ensuring a clean and clutter-free map display:

• Banks, ATMs, currency exchanges
• Beauty salons, hairdressers
• Building names and numbers
• Entertainment, arts and culture
• Hospitals, clinics, pharmacy
• Hotels, hostels, campsites
• Monuments, places of worship
• Parking, gas and service stations
• Pistes and ski lifts
• Police, post offices, embassies
• Public transport stops
• Pubs, bars, clubs
• Restaurants, cafes, fast foods
• Shopping malls, supermarkets
• Sport complexes, leisure centres
• Tourist attractions
• Universities, colleges, schools
• Train and metro stations
• Universitites, colleges, schools

Font and Language

Font Size

You have the ability to customize the text display on the offline vector map by adjusting the font size. To modify the font size settings, simply navigate to the app's settings menu and locate the "Font and Language" option. From there, you can increase, decrease, or change the default font size according to your preferences.

Preferred Language Order

In certain regions, maps may display names of objects in multiple languages, alongside local names. If you have defined your preferred languages, the map will prioritize showing names in the first language on your list. This feature is particularly useful in multilingual countries like Belgium, where Dutch, French, and German share official language status.

To manage your preferred languages, simply tap the "Edit" button located at the top right of the screen. You can change this order by pressing the triple-line icon next to each language and dragging it to a different position. This allows you to rearrange or delete languages from the list according to your preferences:

Online Maps Settings

Within the app settings menu, you will find the Online Maps setting menu, which enables users to customize their preferences specifically for online raster maps.

Mobile Data Usage

If you want to prevent Guru Maps from using your mobile data, toggle the "Download via WiFi only" option to the "On" position.

By enabling this option, Guru Maps will only download maps and data when connected to a WiFi network, ensuring that your mobile data is not consumed.

Map Refresh

To adjust the frequency of refreshing cached map tiles for online maps, simply move the slider thumb in the "Map Refresh" section to set the desired time interval.

As a result, all tiles older than the selected duration will be automatically re-downloaded when browsing online.

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Please note that the map refresh setting applies to online raster maps only and does not impact offline vector maps.

Cached Maps

As you browse the online map within the app, all the map tiles that are loaded and viewed will be automatically saved to your device's storage. If you find that certain tiles are no longer necessary and you want to free up storage space, you can delete them from the "Cached Maps" section:

Appearance Settings

The "Appearance" settings group provides allows users to customize the appearance of the main map screen according to your preferences. You can configure various options to determine how the map looks and which features are available to you.

Theme

To change the app theme, such as switching to a dark theme at night, choose one of the available options:

• Dark: Suitable for low light environments.
• Light: Bright white interface, set as the default.
• System: Automatically switches between light and dark based on the system mode.

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For more information about using dark theme, you can read here:

• Dark Mode on iOS,
• Dark Mode on Android.

Main Screen

The Main Screen settings group determines the appearance and functionality of the main app screen, where the map is displayed. You have the ability to customize the interface by adding or hiding buttons according to your preferences.

Buttons at Right

Enabling Buttons at Right option will reposition the major function buttons on the main map screen to the right side. This layout adjustment allows for easier selection of these buttons using a single finger.

Trip Computer

If you prefer a cleaner view of the main map without the Trip Computer panel, you can easily hide it by turning OFF this option.

Zoom Buttons

To have convenient control over the zoom level on the map, you can enable Zoom Buttons option. When turned on, the zoom control buttons, consisting of a plus and minus symbol, will be displayed on the map interface. This allows you to easily adjust the zoom level according to your preference.

Map Source Button

Enabling the Map Source button provides a convenient option for quickly switching between different map styles or online sources directly on the main map view. Once enabled, the button will be visible on the interface, allowing you to easily access and switch between various map sources without having to navigate to different menus.

Routing Button

Enabling the Routing Button adds a quick option to access the route planner feature directly from the main map view. Once enabled, the button will be visible on the interface, allowing you to easily access the route planner with a single tap.

Coordinates

Enabling the Coordinates option will display the coordinates, the current zoom level, and altitude below the scale ruler on the main map view, along with "crosshairs" at the center of the map.

Azimuth and distance to the map center

Enabling the Azimuth and distance to the map center option will display the direction and distance from the user location to the map center.

Tracks and Markers

The Tracks and Markers settings group allows users to personalize the appearance of their data.

Direction arrows on track

Toggle the visibility of direction arrows on the track. When enabled, direction arrows will be displayed, providing visual cues for navigation along the track. Disabling this option will remove the arrows from the track display.

Default track style

Choose the default line style for newly recorded and imported GPS tracks. You can choose from the following options:

• Solid Color: Assigns a consistent color to the track line.
• Speed Gradient: Applies a gradient effect to the track line based on speed, creating a visual representation of varying speeds along the track.
• Altitude Gradient: Implements a gradient effect on the track line based on altitude, offering a visual depiction of elevation changes throughout the track.

GPS filtering

The selected GPS filters will be applied by default to newly recorded and imported GPS tracks.

Accuracy Filter: Set the minimum accuracy required for the received GPS points. Points with accuracy outside the specified threshold will be filtered and not displayed in the track.

Distance Filter: Specify the minimum distance between consecutive points in a recorded track. Points that are closer together than the specified distance will be filtered and excluded from the track display.

Read more: Track Details

Default Icon

The Marker Settings section allows you to assign a specific category to markers, which will determine the default icon for newly created and imported points.

This helps you visually distinguish and organize different types of markers on the map:

Marker Names

To display a marker name on the map, turn the Labels on The Map option ON. The marker representation will change and the name of the marker will appear above the icon. The bookmark name can be changed to your preference:

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Marker Clastering

The Marker Clustering setting in the app allows you to control the display of markers when there are multiple points of interest in close proximity to each other.

When Marker Clustering is enabled, markers that are close to each other will be grouped together into clusters. The number on the cluster icon indicates the count of markers in that cluster:

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Screen Auto-Lock

By default, your device's screen automatically turns off after a specific period of inactivity to conserve battery power. However, if you prefer to keep the screen from locking while using the Guru Maps app, you can turn this option OFF.

Navigation Settings

General Options

By configuring these navigation settings, you have the ability to personalize your navigation experience and optimize the behavior of the Guru Maps app to align with your preferences, regardless of the selected navigation mode:

• Voice Instructions: The system language of your device determines the default language for voice instructions during navigation. You can choose from a list of 25 languages to set your preferred language for the navigation voice guidance.
• Map Auto-Zoom: Enable this option to configure the automatic scale the map according to your speed during navigation.
• Auto-record track during navigation: Enable this option to automatically save the finished routes as GPS tracks to your collections during navigation.
• Use navigation online: Enable this option to build the routes online first. When you have an internet connection, the app will utilize online resources to calculate and optimize your routes. This allows for up-to-date information and real-time traffic data to be taken into account. If there is no Internet connection, the app will automatically switch to using offline navigation data (if it has been downloaded).

Vehicle Options

To ensure successful navigation with the Guru Maps app, it is essential to configure the appropriate settings based on your specific requirements and mode of travel. Whether you are navigating by car, on foot, cycling, motorcycle, truck, or even using a straight line, the following settings can be adjusted to optimize your navigation experience:

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In Guru Maps, you have the option to customize the navigation modes that are displayed when building a route by swiping the cell from right to left. This allows you to declutter the interface and only show the navigation modes that are relevant to your needs.

If you ever want to show the hidden navigation modes again, simply tap Add Navigation Mode... and select the modes you want to display.

Car

These options allow you to optimize your car navigation routes with Guru Maps by choosing to avoid tolls, highways, or ferries:

• Avoid Highways: This option allows the app to generate routes that prioritize local roads and avoid highways as much as possible.
• Avoid Toll Roads: This option ensures that the app calculates routes that steer clear of toll roads, providing you with toll-free alternatives if exist.
• Avoid Ferries: This option ensures that the app plans routes that exclude ferry crossings, offering alternative routes that bypass ferry routes.

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Please note that enabling these avoidance options may affect the overall duration and distance of your routes, as alternative roads and routes will be considered.

Pedestrian

With Guru Maps, you may make your walking navigation routes more efficient by selecting preferences to avoid stairs, alleys, or ferries. These options allow you to customize the routing according to your specific walking needs. Here's how you can configure these settings:

• Rotate a Map: This selects whether the map will rotate automatically based on the compass or the GPS while you're navigating.
• Avoid Stairs: This ensures that the app generates routes that minimize or completely exclude stairs, providing you with alternative paths that are stair-free.
• Avoid Alleys: This allows the app to plan routes that steer clear of narrow or less-traveled alleyways, offering alternative paths that are more suitable for walking.
• Avoid Ferries: This allows the app to generate routes that bypass ferry routes, providing you with alternative paths that do not require ferry transportation.
• Maximum Difficulty: This allows you to set preferences for the complexity of your hiking route based on the SAC Hiking Scale while building it.

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Red more about Hiking Trail Difficulties here: https://gurumaps.app/blog/2023/04/15/hiking.

Bike

When using the Guru Maps app for cycling, you have the option to customize the navigation settings to suit your preferences and optimize your cycling experience. Here are the key settings available specifically for cycling:

• Avoid Roads: Enable this option to generate more comfortable routes that prioritize roads with bicycle lanes or cycleways, providing a safer and more cyclist-friendly path.
• Avoid Hills: Enable this option if you prefer to tackle flatter routes or avoid steep inclines during your cycling adventures. This will guide the app to generate routes that minimize elevation changes and select flatter paths even if it means a longer (time and distance) path.
• Avoid Bad Surfaces: Enable this option to avoid roads or paths with poor surface conditions. The app will prioritize routes that offer smoother surfaces for a more comfortable cycling experience.
• Avoid Ferries: Enable this option to exclude ferry crossings from your cycling routes.
• Bicycle Type: Select the specific type of bicycle you are using for more accurate route calculations. The default type is Hybrid.

Available types of bicycle:

Road: a road-style bicycle with narrow tires that is generally lightweight and designed for speed on paved surfaces.

Hybrid or City: a bicycle made mostly for city riding or casual riding on roads and paths with good surfaces.

Cross: a cyclo-cross bicycle, which is similar to a road bicycle but with wider tires suitable to rougher surfaces.

Mountain: a mountain bicycle suitable for most surfaces but generally heavier and slower on paved surfaces.

Motorcycle

When using Guru Maps for navigation during motorcycle trips, you have the option to customize the settings to optimize your riding experience. Here are the key navigation settings available for motorcycle travel:

• Avoid Toll Roads: Enable this setting to generate routes that prioritize roads without tolls, ensuring a more cost-effective trip.
• Avoid Ferries: Enable this option to exclude ferry crossings from your motorcycle routes.
• Road Type Priority: This option allows to set your road type priority based on your motorcycle preferences. Choose between mainly using highways or country roads when building the routes.

In a Straight Line

In areas without defined roads or trails, Guru Maps can provide a navigation option that allows you to reach your destination using a straight line route through multiple waypoints. Here are two key features that enhance the navigation experience in such scenarios:

• Rotate a Map: This option selects whether the map will rotate automatically based on the compass or the GPS while you're navigating.
• Show Original Route: Enable this option to view the original route and display a dashed line path connecting your current location to the destination if you have deviated from the original route.

Truck

When using Guru Maps for truck navigation, you can customize the settings to optimize your routes based on truck-specific requirements. Here are the key navigation settings available for truck navigation:

• Avoid Highways: Enable this option to generate routes that prioritize local roads and avoid highways as much as possible. This setting is particularly useful for truck drivers who prefer to avoid highways or are restricted from using certain highway sections due to size or weight limitations.
• Avoid Toll Roads: Enable this option to calculate routes that steer clear of toll roads if possible.
• Avoid Ferries: Enable this option to plan routes that exclude ferry crossings, offering alternative routes that bypass ferry routes.
• Maximum Speed: Set the maximum speed of your truck. This ensures that the app considers speed limits and generates routes that are suitable for your vehicle's capabilities.

In addition to the basic navigation settings, Guru Maps also allows you to input custom dimensions and attributes for your truck. These parameters help the app calculate routes that take into account the specific restrictions and requirements of your vehicle:

• Vehicle Length: Enter the length of your truck. This parameter helps the app calculate routes that accommodate the length of your vehicle, avoiding roads or areas where the truck may have difficulty maneuvering due to length restrictions.
• Vehicle Width: Specify the width of your truck. This information allows the app to generate routes that consider road widths, avoiding narrow roads or areas where your truck may face difficulties due to width limitations.
• Vehicle Height: Input the height of your truck. This parameter ensures that the app plans routes that avoid low bridges, tunnels, or other structures that may pose height restrictions for your vehicle.
• Vehicle Total Weight: Enter the total weight of your truck, including any cargo. This information helps the app generate routes that comply with weight restrictions, avoiding roads or areas where your truck's weight may be a concern.

Data Backup

Guru Maps offers an easy feature for backing up data on your device, assuring the security of your information and minimizing the risk of accidental data loss.

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By regularly creating backups of your collections, you can safeguard your important geodata and easily restore it in the event of data loss or device migration.

Create backup

To create a backup of your collections within the app, follow these steps:

1. Open the Guru Maps app on your device.
2. Go to the Settings menu and select the Data Backup option.
3. Locate and tap the Back Up My Collections button.
4. The backup process will begin, and you will see the progress on the screen.
5. Once the backup is completed successfully, you will see the name of your device along with the date and time the backup was created.

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When you initiate a backup in Guru Maps, please note that the backup process will only include data from your My Collections, which consists of bookmarks and GPS tracks. This ensures that your saved locations and recorded tracks are backed up and can be easily restored if needed. However, it's essential to be aware that downloaded offline maps and cached online maps are not included in the backup.

Save backup

Backup files are kept on your device and are automatically deleted when the program is uninstalled. We advise you to periodically copy .gbackup2 files to a different location outside of the Guru Maps app. This can be done by transferring the files to a computer, external storage device, or cloud storage service.

By keeping your backup files outside of the app, you can ensure that your data remains safe and accessible even if the app is uninstalled or if unexpected issues occur.

To save the backup, tap the icon, then select your preferred cloud storage service, or any other compatible storage option available on your device.

Restore from a backup

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Before proceeding with the restoration process, it is important to note that restoring from a backup will overwrite all existing markers and GPS tracks in your My Collections. Please ensure that you have made a backup of your current data if you wish to preserve it.

If you have previously created a backup of your Guru Maps data and wish to restore it, follow these steps:

1. Locate the backup file with the .gbackup2 extension that you created earlier. This file should be stored in a location accessible on your device.
2. Tap on the backup file to open it, then tap the icon.
3. From the available options, select the Copy to Guru Maps option.

Units Format

To customize the units system and coordinate format in the Guru Maps app, follow these steps:

1. Open the Guru Maps app on your device.
2. Go to the Settings menu and select the Units Format option.

Units system

In the Units System section, choose the units of measure you prefer for distance and speed. The available options are:

• km — for kilometres and km/h,
• mi — for miles and mph,
• NM — for nautical miles and kts.

Coordinates format

In the Coordinates Format section, select the format in which you want to display your coordinates. Guru Maps offers several coordinate formats, including:

• +40.730598, -73.986580 (DDD.DDDDD)
• 40°43'50.1" N, 73°59'11.6" W (DDD°MM' SS.S")
• 40°43.835' N, 73°59.194' W (DDD°MM.MMM’)
• 40.73060° N, 73.98658° W (DDD.DDDDD°)
• 18TWL 85577 09345 (MGRS)
• 87G7WR9G+3Q (Plus codes)

Developer Options

There are several hidden settings in Guru Maps that are not commonly used but exist in the app. To access these hidden settings, follow these steps:

1. Open the Guru Maps app on your device.
2. Go to the application settings.
3. Scroll down to the very bottom of the settings page.
4. On the line with the version number, tap on it five times consecutively.
5. By tapping on the version number five times, a new menu item called Developer Options will be displayed in the settings menu.

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Please note that the "Developer Options" menu is intended for advanced users or developers who may require additional configuration or troubleshooting options. These settings may not be necessary or recommended for regular users, as they can affect the app's behavior and stability.

iOS

Android

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If you are not familiar with the specific settings within the "Developer Options" menu, we recommend contacting the Guru Maps support team for guidance before making any changes.