Getting started

Install

ApexGPS is available on the Play Store: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apexgps.app. Install from the listing — no tester invite needed any more.

First launch

When you open the app, it asks for location permission. Tap While using the app (or Precise if the system splits precise vs approximate — ApexGPS needs precise GPS for hiking).

You’ll land on the map. The default map style on a fresh install is ESRI Topo (clean labels at hiking zooms); existing installs keep whatever you had selected. You can change the default any time in Settings → Appearance → Default map, or switch styles mid-session via the layers button.

The first time you launch a fresh install, a real recording of the Watzmann Traverse (Berchtesgaden, Germany) is auto-imported as a sample — a ~22.6 km loop with three landmark waypoints, so the app isn’t empty when you open it. If you delete the samples and want them back, Settings → Data → Load sample data re-imports them.

Five-minute walkthrough

See where you are

Tap the crosshair button in the right-hand column. That turns on GPS and centres the map on your position. A blue triangle appears where you are — it points in your direction of travel when you’re moving.

Look around without losing yourself

Drag the map to pan, pinch to zoom, use two fingers to rotate. The triangle will still keep updating as you move, but the map won’t drag back to you. To re-centre, tap the crosshair button again.

To turn GPS off entirely (and stop the battery drain), long-press the crosshair button.

Add a waypoint

Long-press anywhere on the map. A dialog opens — pick a name, a colour, one of 32 symbols (summit, viewpoint, waterfall, drinking water, picnic, etc.). Save. A little coloured pin now sits at that spot.

Import a GPX track

Open menu → Tracks → tap the folder icon FAB at the bottom-right → pick one or more .gpx files. The tracks appear on the map; tap one to see details (distance, elevation profile).

Record a trip

Tap the red record dot at the top-left. The dot expands into a live timer; a red breadcrumb draws your path as you move. Tap the timer for Pause / Finish / Delete. On Finish, the recording is saved as a new Track. See Tracks → Recording.

Tap the blue triangle on the map. A panel slides up with your elevation, accuracy, time, battery, and two map links. Tap Share → pick WhatsApp, SMS, email — whatever. The recipient sees the info + a link; if they also have ApexGPS installed, the link opens straight into the app.

Tap the share icon in the top-left of the map (left of the ☰ menu). A sheet opens with every visible track + waypoint in your viewport — tick what you want to send, tap Share, pick the messenger. The whole bundle goes out as a single .gpx file. See Share visible.

The ☰ menu (top-left) has Tracks, Waypoints, Maps, Settings. From there you manage everything you’ve imported or downloaded.

Next: The map screen → · Share your location → · Settings →