Landscape Mobile 4 - Technical Specifications & Compatibility
July 2026
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"Which mobile device is best for using the Landscape Mobile app?"
While we can't give specific recommendations for the exact device that's right for your organization, here are some things to keep in mind while shopping for a tablet or phone for doing fieldwork with the Landscape Mobile App. The technical specifications and compatibility information later in this article should also inform your decision.
- Get a device with a dedicated GPS chip. Generally, any device that is cell-data capable will have one. Even if you opt not to subscribe the device to a cellular data plan, just having the capability will ensure you have a GPS chip in the field. For example, Wifi-only iPads won't work in the field unless you hook them up to an external Bluetooth GPS receiver. The GPS accuracy of the app is just the GPS accuracy of the device you're using.
- If you are using a device without a data plan, download the data you need on WiFi before you head out into the field.
- In general, our experience is that Apple devices tend to be more predictable. The lower cost associated with many Android devices sometimes translates into poorer quality features - GPS, compass, etc. Some Android devices don't even have a compass sensor, which would make it impossible for Landscape to capture the direction your photos are taken. Or, some have a compass but it doesn't work when the device is held up to take a photo.
- The app is designed to work well on either a phone or a tablet. If you opt for a tablet, it's a good idea to work out how you're going to carry it around in the field. You may also want to consider purchasing protective covers with shoulder and/or hand straps for certain models.
- Some devices do not capture photo direction when taking a photo, or have more unreliable compass bearing when held in the photo taking position, resulting in inaccurate or non-existent Photo Direction field which is used in Landscape reports. Apple devices typically record photo direction.
System Requirements
| Requirement | Minimum |
|---|---|
| iOS | iOS 16.4 or later |
| Android | Android 13 or later |
| Storage | The storage consumed by Landscape Mobile is primarily composed of records you prepare for offline use and photos you take with the app. When you prepare a record for offline use, you will be presented with an estimated download size. Use this information to determine whether your phone has enough space available to temporarily store that amount of data. |
Network & Connectivity Requirements
- Offline mode: Available. When offline, users can view or locally edit downloaded records. The following actions require a connection: sync, account changes.
Synchronizing photos on cellular connection can consume a significant amount of your data. If you are concerned about data limits, consider turning that setting OFF.
Permissions
| Permission | Required? | Used for | If denied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location and Activity | Yes | Geotagging site photos, on-site navigation/route tracking | No trackline during recording, no geolocation data on photos taken with the app |
| Camera | Yes | Capturing photos | Camera will not open within app; manual upload of photos taken with another device required |
| Photos / Media | Yes | Saving photos to your device's camera roll | Unsynced photos may be lost |
| Bluetooth | Optional | Connecting to external GPS receivers | Feature unavailable |
Accounts and Sign-In
- Account required: Yes — Landscape user account in at least one organization
- MFA: Only if required by your organization
- Multiple accounts: Supported
Version Support and End of Life
| App version | Status | Support ends |
|---|---|---|
| 4.x | ✅ Current | — |
| 3.x | ⚠️ Security fixes only | 12/31/2026 |