Frequently asked questions.
Short answers to what we get asked most about OffTrail — what it is, who it's for, what it costs (nothing), what it does and doesn't do.
What it is
What is OffTrail?
OffTrail is an iPhone app for following GPX tracks offline. You load a track, the app pre-caches the map tiles around it, and your phone navigates you along the route — even with zero signal. Designed for adventure motorcyclists, enduro and 4×4 riders.
Is OffTrail free?
Yes, fully free. No subscription, no tiers, no in-app purchases, no donation flow. Built by a rider, for riders.
Who is OffTrail for?
Anyone navigating off-road on a planned GPX track — adventure bikes, enduro, 4×4, side-by-side. Hiking and cycling work today; a dedicated hiker mode is on the roadmap.
Compared to other apps
How does OffTrail compare to Komoot, Gaia GPS, or Locus Map?
OffTrail doesn't calculate routes — you bring the GPX, OffTrail follows it. There's no subscription, no account, no cloud sync, and no analytics. It's narrower in scope and free; if you need route planning or social feeds, the alternatives above are better fits.
Does OffTrail do turn-by-turn navigation?
No. OffTrail follows a pre-loaded GPX track — it shows your position relative to the track, warns when you drift off, and points you back. There's no routing engine and no voice prompts (planned for a future release).
Platform
Which devices does OffTrail run on?
iPhone running iOS 16 or later. iPad works via the iPhone build (no dedicated layout yet). Apple CarPlay support is implemented and waiting on Apple's navigation entitlement approval.
Is there an Android version?
No, and none planned.
Does OffTrail work in Apple CarPlay?
The code is shipped; the CarPlay navigation entitlement is pending Apple review. Once approved we'll surface the same offline GPX track view on head units.
Maps and signal
Does OffTrail work without an internet connection?
Yes — that's the point. Download map tiles for entire countries (currently Portugal and Spain, more coming) while you're on Wi-Fi or cellular at home, then ride with the phone fully offline.
Does OffTrail work without a GPS signal?
No. OffTrail needs a GPS fix to know where you are on the track. The polyline still draws on the cached map, but the user position, off-track alerts, and ride recording all depend on CoreLocation. In deep canyons, dense forest or tunnels GPS can drop momentarily — the app keeps the last known position visible and resumes when iOS gets a fresh fix.
Can I use satellite imagery offline?
No. Satellite imagery (Esri World Imagery) is online-only by design. The vector basemap with off-road tracks works fully offline; the satellite layer needs network.
How do I get a GPX track into OffTrail?
Open the GPX file from Files, AirDrop, email, or any iOS share sheet — pick OffTrail as the destination. Up to 5 tracks can be loaded at once, each in its own slot colour.
Privacy
Does OffTrail track me or send my data anywhere?
No accounts, no analytics, no third-party SDKs. The only data that ever leaves the device is opt-in: live position while in a Group ride session (over Apple iCloud), and basemap tile requests when you have a network. Full policy at offtrailapp.com/privacy.
Does OffTrail need an account?
No. There's nothing to sign up for. The app works without ever knowing who you are.
Practical
Can I record my ride?
Yes — recording starts automatically when you open the app and saves on close. The last 30 days of rides live on your phone as GPX files; share them via AirDrop, Files or email whenever you want. Nothing syncs to a cloud.
Can I ride together with friends?
Yes, via Group Ride. The leader shows a QR code, riders scan it, and everyone's initials drop on the map in real time via Apple iCloud. No accounts beyond the iCloud you already have. Up to 8–12 riders per session.