Traveler FAQs
If you are an Owner or a Park Ranger and have questions relating to your place please see these FAQ pages.
How-to videos on YouTube
Looking for quick instructions on how to use our website or mobile app? Check out the videos on our YouTube channel. We cover topics such as: How to checkin and add new places, how to report problems and make corrections to places, as well as the basics of registering, logging in and updating preferences. To request a video for a new topic, send us an email.
What’s the difference between iOverlander 2 and iOverlander Legacy?
iOverlander Legacy is our original mobile app, launched in 2014. iOverlander 2 is our new app, launched in 2024. Our new app has lots of great features: favorites, amenity filters, spanish translations, dark mode support, quick check-ins, reporting images and checkins, and a brand new UI! It also has a paid subscription to enable downloading more points, disabling ads and using offline apps. To read more about why we have a paid upgrade see this article.
These are two separate apps, which can be installed together. They use the same database which is synchronized to your mobile app weekly. In other words, changes made on the Legacy app will be available on iOverlander 2 within a week, and visa versa. Download iOverlander 2 on the App Store or Play Store.
How long will iOverlander Legacy be available?
Sadly, iOverlander Legacy is not long for this world. This app is built on technology that reached its end of life in May 2024. Many of the dependencies this app uses are also outdated and no longer supported. In addition, cell phone tech has come so far and screen resolutions are now so high, the app is non-responsive for nearly 15% of users. Because of our inability to update, the app will eventually be in violation of Google & Apple’s policies and will be taken down. Given current warnings, it seems unlikely that it will last much past the end of 2024. :(
How do I use offline maps?
Offline maps are only available on our new app, iOverlander 2. (Download on the App Store or Play Store). On the legacy app and website you will sometimes see a cached map while offline, but this is not guaranteed.
In order to use offline maps, you must download iOverlander 2, and subscribe to iOverlander Pro or Unlimited. Once you subscribe, go to the Main Menu, then Offline Map and chose your maps to download. After downloading, return to the map screen and hit the map icon in the top right corner to toggle between offline and online maps.
I just added a place, but it’s not showing on the map. Why?
All new places must go through moderation and then will be included in our weekly database regeneration. Because of this process it can take up to two weeks for new places to reflect on all mobile devices.
If it has been more than 2 weeks, please make sure that your place has been uploaded! On your app, go to Settings, then Synchronize, then look at the Status under My Data. The status should say "completely synchronized" or "up to date". If it does not, you must tap Sync my Data to upload the place.
I don’t see my place on my other phone?
Please see previous question.
I noticed mistakes, how do I submit corrections?
In order to make edits to a place, you will need to check-in. After submitting your check-in you have the opportunity to make corrections.
On the Website:
Go to ioverlander.com, register (or login), then go to the place with errors. Click the “I’ve been here check me in” button. (In order to make edits, you must first leave a check-in comment). After you leave a check-in, the next screen will prompt you to make corrections to the place. You can edit the description, amenities, or location. You can also mark the place as “closed”. If you mark a place closed, please explain why in the description or in your comment. When you are done click Submit Corrections.
On the App:
Download and log into the iOverlander 2 app. Find the place on the map, and then click the check-in button. Add a short comment of 40 characters or more, explaining what changes you are making. On the next screen you will have the ability to change any additional details like the description and the amenities of the place. Tap Next to save your changes. Your edits will upload automatically.
Please note that your changes will appear within 24 hours on the website, but may take up to 2 weeks to appear on all mobile devices.
How do I mark a place as closed or non-existent?
Locate the place on the map. Tap on the Check-in link. Leave a comment explaining why the place is closed, and if it is permanent or temporary (if you know). On the next screen you are asked to make corrections to the listing. If the place is PERMANENTLY CLOSED, change the field OPEN: to NO. If you don’t change this field the place will not be marked closed!
I know of a place that isn’t listed on your site. How do I add it?
Please read our General Criteria and Category Specific Criteria to make sure that your place will be accepted.
On the App:
Download and login to the iOverlander 2 app on your mobile device. Tap on the Main menu icon, then ADD A PLACE. Follow the steps to add your new place.
On the Website:
Go to ioverlander.com and register or log-in. Right click on the map where you need to add the place and click the “Add New Place Here” button. Follow the steps to add your new place.
All new places will take up to 24 hours to show on the website and may take up to two weeks to appear on phone apps.
How do I delete a check-in?
On the iOverlander 2 App:
Make sure you are logged in. Then go to the Main Menu and tap My Stuff. Tap History at the bottom of the screen. Next to the check-in you wish to delete tap the three dots. Tap delete check-in. This is permanent and cannot be undone.
If you want to delete an entire place, use the Report a Problem button. Navigate to the place, scroll to the bottom and tap Something Wrong, then tap Report a Problem. Choose the option CLOSED. Leave a note as to why the place needs to be removed. A moderator will review and delete for you.
On the website:
Login to your iOverlander account. Then go to the My Account menu and select Check-ins. You will see a list of all your recent check-ins. To the right of each check-in is a link that says DELETE check-in. Click to delete.
How do I change my display name (the name that is shown with each check-in)?
On the iOverlander 2 App:
Make sure you are logged in. Then go to the Main Menu and tap My Stuff. Tap Profile at the bottom of the screen. Tap the Edit pencil icon in the top right. Edit your Display name and tap Save at the bottom of the screen. Note that this update will not appear on all devices until the next database regeneration which happens every week.
On the website:
Go to iOverlander.com and login. Click on My Account (in the top menu), and then click Profile. On the profile page, you will find all your information. In the top right panel is your current user information. Click the Edit button on that panel to change your display name.
Please note that it could take up to two weeks for this change to populate to everyone’s devices. It should change almost immediately on the website, but it will not change on mobile devices until we regenerate the database (which happens weekly), and others resync the new database.
How do I delete photos from my check-in?
The only way to delete photos is to delete the check-in that contains the photos.
On the iOverlander 2 App:
Make sure you are logged in. Then go to the Main Menu and tap My Stuff. Tap History at the bottom of the screen. Next to the check-in you wish to delete tap the three dots. Tap delete check-in. This is permanent and cannot be undone.
On the website:
Go to iOverlander.com and login. Then go to My Account (in the top menu), and select Check-ins. You will see a list of your check-ins. Click the link to the right of the check-in you wish to delete "Delete Check-in".
I need to reset location permissions. How do I do that?
Permissions are changed in your PHONE settings, NOT in iOverlander settings.
For Android:
- Close iOverlander
- Open the phone Settings
- Tap Apps or Application Manager (depending on your device, this may look different).
- Tap the app you want to review. (iOverlander)
- Tap Permissions.
- Change the permissions for the App
- Open iOverlander and use again.
For iOS:
- Close iOverlander
- Open your phone Settings
- Scroll down to the iOverlander App
- Update the permissions
- Close settings and open iOverlander
How do I change my default mapping program?
When selecting “open in mapping app” you have to option to set one app as default. If you accidentally select the wrong app, and want to change it later, there are the steps. Note you must make this change in your PHONE SETTINGS, not in iOverlander settings.
For Android:
- Open Settings on your device.
- Tap Apps or Application Manager (depending on your device, this may look different).
- Scroll down to the mapping program you wish to use as default.
- Tap Set as default.
For iOS : iPhone does not allow you to set a default mapping program.
I cannot login, what do I do?
It is likely that you are entering the wrong email address. To double check this, go to the login screen, click on Forgot Password. Enter the email address you are trying to login with and click on "Send me the reset password instructions". If you do not receive a password reset email, you are using the wrong email address. Try an alternate email address.
My app is crashing, how do I report it?
If you are using our Legacy app, please upgrade to our new app, iOverlander 2. The legacy version of iOverlander is no longer supported and unfortunately cannot be updated because of development software that has reached end-of-life.
If you are using iOverlander 2, please send an email. Remember to include your device type, name and model number as well as the email address associated with your account and we will troubleshoot as soon as possible. Remember that the more information you give us, the faster we can fix the problem!
How do I download all of the places in a GPX or CSV format?
You must login to your iOverlander account in order to download. After you make a download request, we will process the data, and then email you a link to download the file. There are two ways to request downloads:
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Download the points by country: Browse by Country
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Search on this page: Search for places. After the search is complete, at the top of the page, underneath the header "### Places Found" it says "Download results as: KML|GPX|CSV|JSON." Click one of the links to request a download of your search results. Note that you can only download one country at a time.
What do the icons on the map mean?
On the website, in the top right corner of the homepage there is a button that says "Show Legend." Click the button and then select an icon on the left to view the category description on the right side.
On the iOverlander 2 app, go to the Help Center in the main menu. Tap Icon Legend to see all the icons and their meanings.
What language should I enter submissions in?
We ask that you enter the names of places in the local language and descriptions in English. If you are not able to enter in English, please enter in the language you are comfortable writing in, and an iOverlander moderator will translate for you. We hope to support multiple languages in iOverlander in the future.
Is your app available in other languages?
Our iOverlander 2 app UI has been translated to Spanish, and Portuguese is coming very soon. Currently we have only translated the UI. Translations for all places and check-in is coming soon!
I have a feature request, how can I get it added to iOverlander?
Email us! iOverlander relies on feedback from our users to help prioritize new additions to our app. All suggestions are discussed by the senior team at iOverlander and if agreed upon, they are added to the queue of future additions. Please send us an email with your idea.
Download the App
For offline support, improved filters, and so many more features, download our app:
About iOverlander
iOverlander is a website and mobile app to help overlanders find their next destination. All of our places and reviews are created by travelers like you. Please help us improve our data by updating and adding places you have been.
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