Setting text size inside Gaia app
Not planned
I would very much like an option (inside the Gaia app, on any OS) to set text sizes of labels on vector maps. As things are, I often have to stop and peek really hard in order to get to the information on display.
I know that I can set the system text size, but that enlarges the app's menu's (and reduces the device's real estate), and that is not the desired effect.
It would seem to me that, since this concerns vector maps, such a feature would not be an incredible code-intensive affair?
For the sake of context:
I currently use Gata Streets and Gaia Topo (meters), displayed on a Samsung Galaxy Tab A mini tablet attached to the dash of my 4x4. Before that I have used an iPhone.
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@Whoosh
On iOS, Gaia Topo will respond to changes in the system font size. However, this is not available on Android.
We don't have plans for anything like this at the moment, but I'll create an internal request for this to keep track.
Thanks for suggesting this. We will update here if this feature becomes available. -
This is really important. Even on my 12.9" iPad Pro, which has plenty of screen real-estate, the text size of the displayed maps is TINY, no matter what size I have set in the iOS prefs.
And requiring the user to change the whole system font size (including what they will use while reading email) just to get the font size larger on the map that's supposed to be usable on the go, is just crazy.
People aren't just using these maps sitting at a desk. We use them on foot and in vehicles. I can't use my reading glasses while driving, even off-road, and I don't want to have to wear my reading glasses while hiking. Handheld GPS units don't use giant text and buttons because they have no sense of style. They do it because most people need them that big when using the GPS outdoors.
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On iOS, Gaia Topo will respond to changes in the system font size. However, this is not available on Android.
actually setting the font-size system wide in Android settings is possible and Gaia does not scale it's display appropriately for this, which is highly annoying. It's part of the Android development guidelines that apps anticipate and deal gracefully with this setting.
my issue specifically is not the map text, but the rest of the UI. i am using a "larger" or "largest" setting in Android and Gaia then truncates or hides portions of important text - coordinates and other stats as well as messing up the layout in some menus/dialogs.
please fix Gaia on Android so the UI will size/scale intelligently to deal with the Android font size/scale setting.
thanks!
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Agree - I'm on the point of discontinuing my subscription because of this. As much as I love the maps on a desktop monitor, I can't read them on my android devices while on the road and there are no settings within Gaia to fix the problem. I really don't want to mess with the system-wide android settings, for all the reasons others have named.
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Yes, I know exactly what you mean. And for the record: this is mot an Android issdue but an issue touching all brands and flavours. I have now switched to iOS and it’s every bit the same.
This is basic stuff.
Somewhere else in this forum I made a remark about the colours of the vector base maps (Streets, Topo). Same issue: great maps, lousy visibility.
_This is stuff that should be prioritized_. -
I cannot agree less. This is also on top of my wish list.
One of the ways to solve this would be to allow choosing scale. This works quite nice in "MyTrails" app. They allow choosing ratio between "map pixel" and "screen pixel". From 1 to 1 to 1 to 3. There is also an auto mode suggested by the app, based on the display size and resolution. The result is that you can choose between seeing more area vs greater magnification. Everything is rendered bigger, lines, fonts, etc.
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Disagree with GAIA feedback.
This is the only app I am using on my IPhone which is difficult to read.
Small font of waypoints, with white color text on green map. Struggling badly and all my folks have same troubles.
I do not want to change all IPhone fonts, I am very much fine with all other apps including email.
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Well Gaia, one would say that the votes are in. People are consistently and persistently asking for a significant improvement in the visibility of the (vector) map information.
Please note: people are taking the trouble to describe the issues they are having - a solid indication that they, we, are interested enough to not just walk away and go look somewhere else.
So it would be, let's say, nice if you people out there at Gaia GPS would take the trouble to put this issue (high) on the agenda and get back to us here, right?
Looking forward to your reaction!
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In my case just adding a little more contrast to the label text would be very helpful. Barring that, perhaps a magnifying glass mode would be helpful. Tap an icon on the menu. Then tap & hold on the map to have a small magnifying glass area zoom the map. Sort of how the android text editor works when moving the insertion indicator..
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Can’t agree more - both on my ipad (setting routes at home) and iphone - following routes outdoors - I struggle to be able to actually read the text. While I love the program this is a daily frustration which sometimes gets to the point of having to switch to another map in order to get the information needed - please prioritize the ability to adjust text size / and or add a zoom / loop feature so you can zero in on details without the text scaling down.
Thanks!
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For me higher contrasting text for road and trail names would most likely solve the problem. But I wouldn't complain if I were able to adjust the text size. I still also like the idea of having a Zoom tool. Where you can press and hold a finger on the map and it shows a small magnifying glass view of the map so you can read bigger text.
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Hi all,
Thanks for the input here.
We are monitoring this thread and keeping track of your requests.
I still don't have an ETA for this feature, but since some of you have been asking about a zooming option, I wanted to make sure everyone knows that this is available both within iOS and Android natively as an accessibility feature.
iOS: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/iphone/iph3e2e367e/ios
Android: https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/6006949?hl=en
We also have articles on accessibility options within both apps in case that is helpful to anyone.
We appreciate the thoughtful feedback. Please keep it coming.
If you have any further questions, please contact Support here. -
> I still don't have an ETA for this feature, but since some of you have been asking about a zooming option,
> I wanted to make sure everyone knows that this is available both within iOS and Android natively
> as an accessibility feature
Thank you for mentioning that, as it can be useful in a pinch. But having that is IN NO WAY a substitute for increasing the map label size for readability in the field while riding. The interface needs to be targeted not to the armchair traveler or only to hikers, but for use while moving, wearing gloves, and with it mounted on the handlebars.
We don't want to have to turn on a floating icon, or enter some accessibility magnifier just to be able to read the map!
It has been so long since an update, that it appears that no improvements are being made whatsoever.
This could be a really great app with just a few changes to the UI.
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I agree with the other posts about using the accessibility zoom while driving or riding a bike. I don't use Gaia much while driving. Mostly when backcountry skiing or hiking/backpacking. When I do use it for driving I use Android Auto. And it is okay, not great, but okay. Needs a lot more zoom levels for one thing. But that is a different subject.
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+1 on adding an ability to set/increase text size within the app, particularly waypoints. Having to use the accessibility features on my iPad is not feasible when off-roading. Waypoints can be marking hazards or mile markers that are critical to be able to read at a glance when traveling at speed over rough terrain.
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+1 on need for text adjustability. I have been using another mapping app but stopped by Gaia to see if the font size issue had been fixed but I guess it’s not yet. Please count this as a vote for an adjustable font multiplier option. I would like it to include extreme settings for making a quick glance at a small phone without missing a waypoint or road.
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paying member here. +1 for this feature. While the phone accessibility settings work for some things they don't actually modify the label size on the map they do modify the gui and popups for waypoint info. Ideally, GAIA would consider two options which are typical for most GIS / spatial data mapping applications.
The first would be to adjust the text size of waypoint labels on the map which really is an critical accessibility and usability issue. People who have vision problems will not be able to read that small font.
The second feature should be to have a light color behind the text option that covers the underlying base map (as an option). This again is common in most gis tools in fact even CALTOPO which is a competitor for gaia has this. The "halo" color behind the text allows you to put the text on top of the base map without visual competition between the base map labels and the waypoint labels.
These two features together would make the labels would then be infinitely eaiser to read. and for some of us who are considering other tools like caltopo it could be a feature that would convince us to stay with gaia! Please consider adding this!!
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