Fieldmap is an offline PDF and geographic mapping and GPS route-recording app. This version has no account login, ads, analytics, or location-sharing service.
Maps and calibration
Imported/downloaded PDF copies, imported geographic geometry and attributes, and page calibration are stored in the app's private storage on your phone. Deleting a map removes its app-owned copy, calibration, pins and attached photographs, not the original source file.
Pins and photographs
Pin positions, labels, colours and optional photographs are saved privately on your phone for the selected map page. You can take a photo using your camera app or choose one with Android’s file picker. Fieldmap saves a resized pin copy without changing a photograph chosen from your phone. From version 1.47, new camera captures are also kept at full resolution in separate private app storage, including any metadata supplied by the camera. These originals are kept if conversion fails, you cancel the pin, or you remove its photo, pin or map. They are not added to the phone gallery or included in shared packages. While a photo is attached, View photo reads its original when available, using a memory-bounded display and falling back to the resized copy if needed. There is no separate original export/delete control or viewer for detached originals; clearing Fieldmap’s app data or uninstalling removes them. A failed camera may leave incomplete captured bytes; no file can be preserved if the camera writes nothing. Pins and photographs are stored separately from the PDF; the PDF contents are never changed. Fieldmap does not automatically upload photos; only photographs attached to pins you select are included when you explicitly share a Fieldmap package. You can edit or delete a pin and remove or replace its photograph.
Location
The app requests a single startup location lookup after permission is granted, ending at the first valid fix or after one minute. Later lookups use Locate; Follow displays your position while location updates are active. Record saves GPS coordinates, timestamps, accuracy, and available altitude to a route on this phone. Background recording continues when you leave the app or lock the screen only when you choose that option. Stop it in Fieldmap or its recording notification. The app does not automatically start recording at boot. Android restrictions or a force-stop can interrupt recording.
Sharing
Fieldmap does not upload maps or GPS routes to a Fieldmap server. Export GPX lets you choose another app or destination; your chosen recipient then receives the exported route. Maps → Send opens Android’s share sheet for the app/destination you choose. A clean share contains the unchanged PDF or a KML copy of the geographic base, excluding added pins/photos and recorded routes. A Fieldmap package contains the selected map, its calibration/alignment, only the pins you explicitly select and their attached photographs, and only finished routes you explicitly select, including their GPS metadata. The chosen recipient receives those files; no Fieldmap account or server is involved. Temporary prepared copies are kept in private cache for the receiving app to read and older copies are removed on a later share request. Imported packages add new records without replacing existing saved maps or tracks. Delete a route to remove its app-owned GPS points. Previously exported files are retained at the destination you chose.
Downloads
A direct HTTPS PDF download connects to the provider you select. That provider receives the network request and may handle it under its own privacy policy, including normal server connection information such as your IP address. Geographic imports are read locally; KML network links and external imagery are not fetched. Internet is not needed to reopen a saved map or measure a calibrated map.
Retention
Maps, calibration, pins, attached photographs, and routes remain on this device until you delete them, clear Fieldmap's app data, or uninstall. Retain original PDFs and export routes you need to keep. There is no automated cloud backup.
Permissions
Location is used for positioning and requested route recording; notifications provide a recording status and Stop control. Android's document picker controls access to the files you choose. Precise location improves positioning, but accuracy also depends on the phone and reception.
The developer contact and public privacy policy are available from the app distribution listing once published. If the app later introduces accounts or online synchronization, its notices and declarations will be updated before that functionality is released.
Coordinates and clipboard
Pressing and holding the coordinate readout copies the selected GPS or map-cursor latitude and longitude to Android’s clipboard. Clipboard access is governed by Android and the apps you choose to paste into. Cursor viewing changes only the display; recorded tracks continue to use measured GPS positions.
Language
The chosen interface language is saved locally on this phone. Changing it does not alter map contents, your pin or route labels, photographs or recorded GPS data.
Map-free sharing
Choosing pins and routes only excludes the base PDF or geographic map from the shared package. It includes the selected pin photos and routes plus a map fingerprint used locally to find an identical saved map on the recipient’s phone. Imported layers are added to the chosen matching map without changing its file, calibration or existing layers. No server is used.
Remote advertising switch
From version 1.49, while Fieldmap is open, the app checks a small HTTPS configuration file at https://birchcircuitsoftware.com/app-config/ads.json at startup and approximately once per minute. This reads only a developer-controlled on/off setting. Maps, pins, photographs, GPS coordinates, account identifiers and advertising identifiers are not sent. The hosting provider receives normal connection information, including the IP address, requested URL and connection time. The check stops when the app goes into the background. A failed or invalid check turns the advertising gate off, and offline mapping and route recording continue to work. This release has no advertising SDK and displays no advertisements. Notices will be updated before an ad-supported version is distributed.
About this website
This website provides information about Fieldmap and links to email support. We have not added advertising, analytics, an account system, or a web contact form. Hosting services process normal connection information, such as the requested URL and IP address, to deliver the website. If you email support, your message is handled through the email provider.