Using OuterSpatial Offline
Stay connected even without cell service! OuterSpatial's offline mode ensures you can navigate and explore confidently in remote areas.
How Offline Mode Works
The OuterSpatial app automatically switches to "Offline Mode" when it detects poor connectivity or no network connection. You'll know you're offline when an "Offline Mode" banner appears at the top of screens that contain time-sensitive information (like the Social and Me tabs).
In offline mode:
The app continues working with all your downloaded content
Any content you create is saved and automatically syncs when you're back online
Quick Start Guide
Before You Head Out
Connect to Wi-Fi or cellular data
Open the OuterSpatial app
Select your community (e.g., California, Ohio Trails +, Trails LA County):
First-time community downloads take just a few seconds (usually under 3MB)
The app will download essential information automatically
Once a community has been downloaded, it can be loaded even when the app is offline
Find and open your destination:
Use search or the Explore tab to find a location (area, point of interest, trail, or outing)
Open the location's screen
Download the map for offline use:
On the location's screen, click on the map to open the location's map screen
Tap the Download button in the bottom-left corner
Select either Standard (includes light and dark mode) or Satellite (or both!)
The bottom sheet shows how much space each option requires on your device
Using the App Offline
Once you've completed the steps above, you can:
✓ Filter your community library to show only communities that are available offline
✓ View downloaded maps in Me > Saved > Maps
✓ Search for areas, points of interest, trails, and outings in Explore and apply quick filters to drill in on specific accessibility, lifestyle, and activity options
✓ Open location screens you viewed while online
✓ Create check-ins, posts, reviews, and reports (with photos!)
✓ Complete challenge tasks (Check-In, QR Code, and Survey)
✓ Track your location with GPS
Note: Some features require an internet connection:
✗ Downloading new communities
✗ Viewing maps you haven't downloaded
✗ Opening screens, photos, documents, and paper maps that weren't previously viewed
✗ Viewing real-time social updates
Create While Offline
Check-Ins, Posts, Reviews, and Reports
Even without internet, you can:
Check in at any location you visit
Write posts and reviews about your experience
Submit reports for trail conditions or issues
Attach photos to any of your submissions
See a sync indicator showing your submissions are saved locally
When you reconnect to the internet, any offline posts you created will sync automatically.
Challenge Responses
You can also participate in challenges in remote areas:
Check-In Challenges: Your offline check-ins count toward challenge completion
QR Code Challenges: Scan QR codes and they'll register when you're back online
Survey Challenges: Complete survey questions offline
All offline challenge responses automatically sync when you regain connectivity.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Downloading a Community for Offline Use
Ensure you have an internet connection
Open OuterSpatial on your Android or iOS device
Tap on the current community name at the top of the community home screen to open the community library
Select the community you want to explore
Wait for the download (you'll see a brief loading screen)
Success! The community is now available offline
Downloading a Map for Offline Use
Navigate to a location (area, point of interest, trail, or outing) screen
Tap on the map to open the location's map screen
Tap the Download button in the bottom-left corner of the map
Review the available options in the bottom sheet:
Standard: Includes both light and dark mode versions
Satellite: Aerial imagery of the area
Each option displays the storage space required on your device
Tap on your preferred map version (or both) to start the download
Once downloaded, access your saved maps anytime at Me > Saved > Maps
Your downloaded maps stay up to date automatically — any changes to area boundaries, points of interest, trails, or outings are downloaded in the background when you're connected to the internet.
Finding Your Offline Communities
When you're without internet connection:
Open OuterSpatial
Open the community library by tapping on the community name at the top of the community home screen
Tap on Sort By
Select Offline
Select a community that is available offline from the filtered list
This makes it easy to see which communities are ready for offline exploration!
Finding Your Downloaded Maps
Tap Me in the bottom navigation
Tap Saved
Tap Maps
Select a downloaded map to view it
Managing Your Downloaded Maps
You can delete downloaded maps to free up space on your device. There are two ways to do this:
From the location's map screen:
Navigate to the location whose map you want to delete
Open the location's map screen
Tap the Downloaded button in the bottom-left corner
Tap on the map type you want to delete and confirm
From Me > Saved > Maps:
Tap Me in the bottom navigation
Tap Saved
Tap Maps
Tap "Manage Maps"
Select the map(s) you want to delete
Click the Delete button
Confirm
Frequently Asked Questions
How much storage space do I need?
Community downloads are lightweight — typically less than 3MB each. Downloaded maps vary in size depending on the area covered and the map type (Standard or Satellite). The download tool shows the exact storage required before you download.
How long does offline data last?
Once downloaded, communities and maps remain on your device indefinitely.
Do I need to manually update my downloaded maps?
No. Downloaded maps update automatically when you're connected to the internet. Any changes to the underlying map data — like new or updated area boundaries, points of interest, trails, or outings — are pulled in without any action on your part.
What's the difference between Standard and Satellite maps?
Standard maps show roads, trails, terrain, and points of interest in a clean, easy-to-read format. This option includes both light and dark mode versions, so your map adapts to your phone's display preferences. Satellite maps show aerial imagery, which can be helpful for understanding terrain and identifying landmarks.
Can I download trail photos and documents for offline viewing?
Currently, media files like photos and PDF documents require an internet connection.
Do I need to be online to track my location?
No! GPS works without internet. As long as you've downloaded the map for your area, you can see your location.
What happens to content I create offline?
All check-ins, posts, reviews, reports, and challenge responses are saved locally on your device and are automatically synced to OuterSpatial's servers once you reconnect to the internet. If an offline submission has not yet been synced, you'll see a sync indicator associated with it.
Will I lose my offline content if I close the app?
No! Your offline content is safely stored on your device until it can sync. You can close the app, restart your phone, or even wait several days; your submissions will be available to sync when you're back online.
What's the best practice for offline preparation?
Download communities the day before your trip
Search for and open each location you plan to visit
Download maps for your destinations using the Download button on the location map
Verify everything downloaded by briefly switching to airplane mode
Pro Tips
Download maps for key destinations: Use the Download button on location map screens to ensure you have reliable offline coverage for areas that matter most
Choose the right map type: Standard maps are smaller and include light/dark modes; Satellite maps help you visualize terrain, but use more storage
Multiple adventures? You can download maps for different areas within the same community — they'll all stay saved
Test offline mode: Put your phone in airplane mode at home to verify everything downloaded correctly
Create submissions worry-free: Don't hesitate to check-in or post while offline — everything saves on-device until you are back in network connectivity