This article will give you an overview of how to use Gaia GPS on an iPad and a few tips for navigating the menus.
Since the iPad has a much larger screen, the Gaia GPS user interface is slightly different than it is for the iPhone. When reading other articles in this Help Center, note that the interface may look different between your iPad and the iPhone shown in the article, but the functionality remains the same.
*Please note: 'WiFi only' iPads do not have a built-in GPS and require an external GPS unit in order to track location when not connected to the internet.
Opening the Main Menu
1. To access the main menu, tap the expand icon in the upper left of the map screen
2. The main menu includes the following tabs:
- Trip - Shows current stats and you have the option to record a track, take a picture, and check your GPS status.
- Search - Search for coordinates, places, trails, and known Hikes.
- Saved data - View your saved tracks, routes, waypoints, folders, and maps.
- Settings - View help center articles, subscription information, force a sync with your web account, change units, manage map controls, and more.
Controlling the Map Display
Long-press the expand icon to open the Map Display Options.
- Toggling off Left Sidebar puts the view in full screen mode. To exit full screen mode, see step 1 above in this article.
- Toggling off Stats Bar hides the boxes with statistics at the top of the map
- Toggling off Compass hides the compass at the top of the map.
Comments
19 comments
My version appears to not have the "reveal menu" button shown on the upper left of your picture. Is that button only present in the "pro" version? I'm hoping to edit the colors of some of my waypoints.
This article covers the new Gaia GPS app. It sounds like you are using the classic version of Gaia GPS. Here is the iPad help article for Gaia GPS Classic: Information for Gaia GPS Classic iPad Users.
I see a red "1" icon in settings - assuming that means a setting is off. But which one ?
Thanks
Oskar
To make the notification go away, head to the Saved menu and accept shared folder notifications at the top of the screen.
The location of the notification is wrong. It's showing in settings, but should be in 'saved'. That will be corrected going forward.
You are wrong about ipad gps. I have a ipad pro with cellular which includes a gps chip. I use it all the time when in an airplane
I'm looking to lock down the map so I can create a route. Every time I touch the waypoint for the route the map moves never creating a route on the ipad. Is it even possible to create a route on an ipad?
@MC Dobbs
I'm sorry you are having an issue creating and editing a route.
When creating a route on the iPad version of Gaia GPS, I recommend holding on the blue routepoints for a half of a second before moving the routepoint to a new location. New routepoints can be added to the route by long pressing anywhere on the map.
That's odd. My 4th Gen Ipad WiFi only indeed does have GPS. I'll have to give this a try, and see what happens.
I have the new iPad Pro 11”. The left side bar only presents “Record”. I can’t access any other folders or the “settings” menu—those options don’t appear at the bottom of the sidebar. I’m trying to edit new waypoints. I can send you a screenshot, if this isn’t clear enough.
....I see the update has fixed this problem. Thanks!
@Lucifur
This will be fixed in the next update and I apologize for the inconvenience.
If you would like to become a beta tester and try out the fix, please click Submit Request and someone will get back to you with steps on how to join.
@Nathan
Thanks, Nathan! I can do my editing on the desktop or the iPhone, so I can wait for the next update.
Let me think about becoming a beta tester....
Is there a way to transfer Gaia GPS map information (route planning, waypoints, tracks, etc.) between an iPhone and an iPad when away from cell service and away from internet? I’m thinking data transfer via AirDrop with Bluetooth and/or via the USB-C cord on the new iPad Pro?
@erin.cushing
It looks like airdrop will work from iPhone to iPad...
Thanks, @Lucifer.
If Gaia GPS data can be AirDropped between iOS devices, that’s very handy in the field when away from cell and internet service.
Hi,
I'm struggling to see the bottom menu on my iPad. I have Gaia GPS pro on my iPad and my iPhone... The iPhone has the bottom menus (map - trip - saved - settings). I can't access my saved files and the rest of my setting etc on my iPad.
Could someone help me figure out how to get the same view on my iPad?
Thanks!
@Petey003,
I think you’ve come up against the same problem I encountered above. The solution will hopefully come in the next update......
@Petey003
You can view the menu bar on your iPad by tapping the Fullscreen icon.
Just bought today off the Gaia site and not app purchase. I have a new 11 iPad Pro. The screen layout is not what you show here as a expand screen icon is not showing in the upper left side.
@delfoffman
I'm sorry you are not seeing the expand icon on your iPad. I followed up with you via email with some troubleshooting steps for this.
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