Bush Grid Support

RFS grid references, distance, bearing and triangulation for iPhone and Apple Watch.

Contact us

Email bushgrid@bjnouwens.com. Bush Grid is made by one volunteer developer, so please allow a few days for a reply.

If you're reporting a problem, it helps to include:

• your iPhone (and Apple Watch) model and iOS version

• the Bush Grid version (shown at the bottom of Settings)

• what you did, what you expected, and what happened instead

• a screenshot, if you can

Not for emergency or life-safety navigation. Bush Grid is an unofficial aid and is not endorsed by the NSW Rural Fire Service or any agency. Always use official maps, a compass and radio, follow RFS procedures, and check every location independently. In an emergency call Triple Zero (000).

Getting started

Bush Grid has a full guide built in. In the app, tap the gear button at the top right, then Help: how to use Bush Grid. It covers reading grid references, entering a reference, navigating, routes, triangulation and every setting.

Requirements

• iPhone with iOS 18 or later

• Optional: Apple Watch with watchOS 10 or later (Supporter feature)

Common questions

A reference I entered appears in the wrong place.

A 6-digit reference repeats every 100 km, so Bush Grid picks the match closest to you (or to the middle of the map if there's no GPS). For places more than about 50 km away, fill in the ZONE, 100 KM E and 100 KM N boxes on the Enter Reference screen. Also check the digits weren't swapped: the first three go across (east), the last three go up (north).

The GPS badge says ACQUIRING or OFF.

ACQUIRING means the phone is still finding satellites; move to a clear view of the sky and wait a minute. OFF means location access is turned off: go to Settings › Privacy & Security › Location Services › Bush Grid and choose While Using the App.

The compass seems wrong.

Move away from vehicles, radios and metal, remove any magnetic case, and move the phone slowly in a figure-of-eight to recalibrate. Always check against a real compass when it matters.

My triangulation lines don't cross.

Check each bearing is typed correctly and marked as TRUE or MAGNETIC correctly (in NSW they differ by about 10–13°). If the target is far away, increase Bearing line length in Settings.

Does it work without mobile coverage?

Yes. GPS, grid references, distance, bearing, routes, triangulation and track recording all work without coverage. The map pictures come from Apple Maps and may not load without data, so always carry a paper map.

The Apple Watch app says "No target".

Add a waypoint (or a triangulation estimate) in the iPhone app first. If the watch app isn't installed, open the Watch app on your iPhone and install Bush Grid from there.

Supporter purchases

Everything you need in the field is free. Supporters help cover costs and unlock the Lock Screen display, track recording, triangulation error cones and the Apple Watch app.

• New phone, or Supporter features missing? In the app, go to Settings › Bush Grid Supporter › Restore Purchases.

• Cancel a subscription: on your iPhone, go to Settings › your name › Subscriptions › Bush Grid. Or use Manage Subscription on the Supporter screen.

• Refunds are handled by Apple. Request one at reportaproblem.apple.com.

• Can't afford it? Brigades and members in hardship can email us for a free code, then redeem it with Redeem Code on the Supporter screen.

Privacy

Bush Grid doesn't collect any personal information. Your location and points stay on your device. See the Privacy Policy.

Bush Grid is published by Bryan Nouwens, New South Wales, Australia.