Your first survey

Create a project, pick what you're collecting, capture a point and see it on the map. About five minutes, using only the phone.

On this page

This walk-through uses only your phone's GPS, so you don't need any extra hardware. Go outside with a clear view of the sky: the phone's GPS is much less accurate indoors.

1. Create a project

  1. Tap the blue No active project strip above the tabs, or tap START.
  2. Tap New project….
  3. The Name field is pre-filled with the date and time. Type a job name if you like.
  4. Under Output coordinate reference system, leave WGS 84 (latitude and longitude) for now, or tap it to choose your state plane or UTM zone.
  5. Tap Create.

The project strip now shows your project's name.

2. Pick what you're collecting

The first time you open the Survey tab with a project, the app asks What are you collecting? Types are grouped into Points, Lines and Areas:

  • Points: Marker, Control, Pole, Manhole, Valve, Hydrant, Sign, Tree and others
  • Lines: Boundary, Fence, Path / Track and others
  • Areas: Parcel, Field, Building

Tap Marker. The choice "stays active until you change it": every tap of ⊕ collects another Marker until you pick a different type with the type button next to ⊕.

The type chooser, with points, lines and areas

3. Capture a point

  1. Stand on the spot you want to record and tap ⊕.
  2. The Capture position sheet shows your live coordinates, the position source and its accuracy. If it says Waiting for GPS…, give it a moment.
  3. Tap Capture (30 s average). Hold the phone still while the app averages 30 seconds of positions. Averaging gives a steadier result than a single fix.
    • If you're in a hurry, tap Quick capture (single fix) instead.
  4. The form opens. Give the point a Name (one is suggested), add Notes or photos if you like, and tap Save.
The Capture position sheet

With a GNSS receiver connected, the main button is just Capture: one RTK fix is already survey-grade. Average multiple samples… is there when you want an averaged occupation.

4. See it on the map and in the list

The new point appears on the map as a pin. Tap it to see its details: coordinates, accuracy, how it was measured, and actions such as Copy coordinates.

Tap the list button to see every asset in the project. You can search by name, code or notes, and sort by date, name, type or worst accuracy.

5. Get the data out

Go to the Tools tab. Under Data, choose an export such as Export CSV or Export bundle (ZIP) and share it with AirDrop, Mail, Files or any other app.

Where to go next