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Get up and running with the Forerunner mobile app in a few steps. This guide walks you through installation, initial sign-in, and preparing your device for field data collection.

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Download the app

The Forerunner mobile app is available on iOS and Android:
1

Find the app

Open the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) on your device.
2

Search for Forerunner

Search for “Forerunner” and look for the official Forerunner app.
3

Install

Tap Get (iOS) or Install (Android) to download the app to your device.
The app requires iOS 13+ or Android 9+. If your device doesn’t meet these requirements, you won’t be able to install the app.

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Sign in to your account

1

Open the app

Launch the Forerunner app from your device’s home screen.
2

Enter your email

Type the email address associated with your Forerunner account and tap Continue.
3

Select your account

If you have access to multiple communities, select the account you want to use. You can switch accounts later in Settings.
4

Enter your password

Type your password and tap Sign in.
5

Complete two-factor authentication

If your account has two-factor authentication enabled, enter the verification code from your authenticator app or the code sent to your phone.

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Set up biometric unlock

After your first sign-in, the app prompts you to enable biometric authentication for faster access:
1

Choose your unlock method

When prompted, select Enable Face ID, Enable Touch ID, or Enable Fingerprint depending on your device.
2

Confirm with your device

Authenticate using your device’s biometric scanner to confirm setup.
3

Set a backup PIN

If biometrics aren’t available or fail, you can use your device’s PIN as a fallback.
Biometric unlock speeds up returning to the app. The app locks after 15 minutes of inactivity, and biometrics let you quickly resume without entering your full password.

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Grant permissions

The app needs certain permissions to function properly:

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Location access

When prompted, tap Allow While Using App or Allow to enable location services. Location access lets the app:
  • Show your position on the map
  • Suggest coordinates when creating properties
  • Share your location with team members (if enabled)

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Camera access

Grant camera permission when prompted. This allows you to:
  • Capture photos for records
  • Take pictures of documents
  • Document site conditions

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Photo library access

Allow access to your photo library to attach existing photos to records and tasks.
If you deny location permissions, some features won’t work correctly. You can change permissions later in your device’s Settings app under the Forerunner app.
The mobile app has three main sections accessible from the bottom navigation bar:

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Map tab

The Map tab is your primary workspace. From here you can:
  • View properties and parcels on an interactive map
  • Tap locations to see property details
  • Create new properties
  • Access records and tasks for any property
  • Toggle map layers on and off
  • Download offline map packs

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Tasks tab

The Tasks tab shows all tasks assigned to you:
  • Filter by status (To do, In progress, Complete)
  • Search for specific tasks
  • View task details and linked records
  • Create records directly from tasks

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Settings tab

The Settings tab provides access to:
  • Account information and switching
  • Offline map management
  • Location sharing preferences
  • App version and updates
  • Sign out option

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Prepare for field work

Before heading into the field, complete these steps to ensure you can work offline:
1

Connect to Wi-Fi

Download offline data while on a strong Wi-Fi connection to avoid using cellular data.
2

Open offline maps

Go to Settings > Offline Maps to manage your offline data.
3

Download a map pack

Select your work area and tap Download. The download includes:
  • Base map tiles for the area
  • Property data
  • Parcel boundaries
  • FIRM flood zone data
  • Any custom map layers
  • Tasks assigned to you in that area
4

Wait for completion

Large areas may take several minutes to download. The app shows download progress and notifies you when complete.
5

Verify your pack

Once downloaded, navigate to your work area on the map while still on Wi-Fi to confirm everything loaded correctly.
Offline packs expire after 15 days. Update your pack before it expires to ensure you have the latest data. The app notifies you when a pack is approaching expiration.

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Check for app updates

Keep the app updated to access the latest features and fixes:
1

Check your version

Open Settings and scroll to the bottom to see your current app version.
2

Update when prompted

If an update is available, the app displays an update prompt. Minor updates are optional, but major updates are required to continue using the app.
3

Update manually

You can also check for updates in the App Store or Google Play by searching for Forerunner and tapping Update if available.

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Switch accounts

If you have access to multiple Forerunner accounts:
1

Open Settings

Tap the Settings tab in the bottom navigation.
2

Tap your account

At the top of Settings, tap your current account name.
3

Select a different account

Choose the account you want to switch to from the list.
4

Confirm the switch

The app reloads with data from the selected account. You may need to download new offline packs for the new account’s work areas.
Switching accounts while offline is not available. Any unsynced data from the current account will remain on your device and sync when you next connect with that account active.

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Next steps

Now that you’re set up:
Test the app while connected before your first field visit. Create a test record, verify it syncs to the web platform, and familiarize yourself with the interface.