10 Useful Geocaching® app features you may not even know you have

The Geocaching® app first came out in 2013, and since then we’ve added many great features to the app for players of all experience levels. Some of these features are major components of the game such as Offline Maps and Drafts, while others include lesser known improvements to your caching experience.

From icons you’ve never paid attention to while caching, to search filters you never knew existed, we’ve rounded up eight features that may have slipped under your radar, so that you can get the most out of each geocaching adventure.

Full size souvenirs and notifications:

You can view a list, count, and details of all earned souvenirs by going to your Profile in the app and tap Souvenirs in the menu to view the list. Tap the souvenir icon to view the souvenir full size! The souvenirs are sorted by date earned, with the most recent at the top of the list.

Additionally, every time you earn a new souvenir, you now get a notification in the app. Tap it to view the full souvenir, or simply dismiss it and keep on caching on.

View another players profile

Simply tap on a user’s name to view their profile. Public profiles include the player username, avatar, member status, join date, find count, hide count, trackable log count, and the ability to send the user a message via the Message Center.

You can access another user’s profile from:

  • Cache details (geocache owner)
  • Geocache logs
  • Trackable details (released by)
  • Trackable logs
  • Message Center

Displaying solved coordinates

In the Geocaching® app, you can enter solved coordinates for Mystery caches. Any solved coordinates you submit in the app will be shown on Geocaching.com. The app also displays any solved coordinates you’ve created on Geocaching.com for any cache type.

Entering solved coordinates in the Geocaching® app for Mystery Caches:
1. Choose a Mystery cache and tap Start.
2. Select Enter Solved Coordinates.
3. Input new coordinates and save.

Navigating to solved coordinates in the Geocaching® app:  All caches with solved coordinates will display on the map at those coordinates when solved but unfound. An updated puzzle piece map pin will differentiate these caches on the map. Additionally, unfound caches with solved coordinates in a list view will be badged with the same puzzle piece icon.

Once found, the cache will move back to the posted coordinates on the map with a smiley map pin. In a list view, the puzzle piece badge will be removed and the cache icon replaced with a smiley.

Search for Trackable by code

Trackables are physical game pieces that move from geocache to geocache. To search for a specific Trackable:

  1. Tap on the Magnify Glass icon at the top of the app.
  2. Select Trackable.
  3. Enter the trackable code and Search.

Searching for a Trackable by code allows you to grab, retrieve, drop, dip or discover the trackable.

Filtered search for caches

Premium members can filter by geocache type, size, difficulty and terrain ratings, and filter out found and owned geocaches. Look for the funnel icon at the top right of the map screen to access Filtered Search.

Your search filters will remain in place until you modify or reset them, and will also be applied as you move throughout the map.

Search for GeoTour

GeoTours are themed, self-guided tours showcasing engaging geocaches designed to introduce you to new locations around the world. To search for a GeoTour:

  1. Tap on the Magnify Glass icon at the top of the app.
  2. Select GeoTour.
  3. Enter the GT code and Search.

Adding user waypoints

A waypoint is a reference point for a physical location on Earth. Use waypoints to mark important locations such as stages of a Mystery or Multi cache, or to document your starting point at a parking lot or trailhead.

To add a user waypoint in the Geocaching® app:

  1. In the cache details page, select Waypoints.
  2. Tap the + sign to add a waypoint.
  3. Save the waypoint with any name.

You can also easily navigate to, edit, delete, and mark waypoints as complete from the Geocaching® app.

Viewing actual lat/long coordinates for a cache or waypoint

Viewing the latitude and longitude coordinates for a cache or waypoint can be helpful in several situations. For example, viewing the coordinates is important when inputting the lat/lon into another device, such as a GPSr; or if you want to share the location with another player.

View actual coordinates in the Geocaching® app:
1. Select Waypoints from the cache details page.
2. Tap the cache name below Existing Waypoints.
3. View the Posted Coordinates, navigate to them, or mark as complete.

Saving lists offline

Premium members can save lists of geocaches for offline use. Here’s how to download a list and access it offline.

1. Go to the My Lists section of the Geocaching® app.
2. Tap the ellipsis (…) next to the list that you want to download.
3. Select Download Offline Data.
Offline maps are saved in the Trails map type. When you’re geocaching without an internet connection, switch to Trails to see your offline maps!

Center Map and Swivel Mode

The default navigation style in the Geocaching® app is “North-up navigation mode,” but there are several options for viewing your location in the map, such as center and swivel.

Tap the icon in the top corner of the map to center it to your location. The icon will be green when the map is centered, and white when you move the map screen.

Tap the icon again to enter swivel mode. The map will now swivel with you as you turn.

Final Thoughts

That concludes our rundown of eight overlooked Geocaching® app features. Most core updates to the app introduce new features, so expect this list to grow in future!

For now, though, it’s over to you. Have we missed any lesser known Geocaching® app features that you regularly use? Let us know in the comments below!