Troubleshooting & FAQ

Common issues and solutions for Bristol Maps.

Maps & Imagery

Maps won't download or are stuck

• Check your internet connection (Wi-Fi recommended for large downloads)
• Ensure you have sufficient device storage
• Try restarting the app and retrying the download
• If the issue persists, contact support@bristolmaps.com

Downloaded maps don't appear on the navigation page

• Check that the map layer is toggled on in navigation settings
• Verify the map priority -- lower numbers display on top
• Try adjusting the transparency if the map is hidden behind another layer

Map tiles appear blurry or low resolution

• Zoom in further -- some layers have limited zoom levels
• Try a different basemap option (Satellite, NOAA, Alaska High Res)
• Higher resolution imagery may be available for download

Location & GPS

My location is not showing or is inaccurate

• Ensure location permissions are granted for Bristol Maps
• Check that GPS is enabled on your device
• Move to an area with clear sky view for better GPS signal
• On Wi-Fi-only iPads, an external GPS device is required
• If using NMEA GPS, check the NMEA connection

Location sharing is not working

• Verify you are signed in to your account
• Check that location sharing is enabled for your group
• Ensure you have an active internet connection
• Check the location sharing interval in Settings

Weather & Tides

Weather data is not loading

• An internet connection is required for weather data
• Weather cannot be cached for offline use
• If offline, weather will populate when you reconnect

Tide data is not showing

• The first time viewing a station requires internet
• After the first view, one year of data is cached offline
• Try clearing tide data in Settings and re-downloading

Tide overlay is not visible

• Tap the tide chart icon on the left side of the navigation page
• Select a tide station when prompted
• Ensure the overlay is not hidden behind other UI elements

Boundaries & Alarms

Boundary alarm is not sounding

• Check that Line Alarm is enabled in Settings
• Verify Audio Alarm is toggled on
• Ensure boundary lines are loaded on the map
• Check the alarm distance threshold
• Make sure your device volume is turned up

NMEA & Hardware

Can't connect to NMEA server

• Verify the IP address and port in Settings
• Ensure your device is on the same local network as the NMEA server
• Check that the NMEA server is powered on and running
• Try the connection from a different device to isolate the issue

Depth or temperature readings are missing

• Verify the NMEA device is sending the correct sentence types
• Check the depth sounder offset setting
• Ensure the sensor is properly connected to the NMEA network

Subscription & Account

App says my subscription is expired

• Check your subscription status in the App Store or Play Store
• Ensure auto-renewal is enabled
• Try restoring your subscription from Settings > Development > Restore Subscription
• Contact support@bristolmaps.com if the issue persists

Can't create an account or sign in

• Check your internet connection
• Verify your email address is correct
• Check your email for a verification link
• Try resetting your password

Performance

App is running slowly or crashing

• Close other apps to free up memory
• Reduce the number of map layers loaded simultaneously
• Lower the track line maximum positions in Settings
• Restart the app
• Ensure your device meets the minimum requirements (iOS 13+, Android API 29+)

Contact Support

If your issue isn't listed here, contact us:

• Email: support@bristolmaps.com
• Include your device type, app version, and a description of the issue