Last updated: 11 February 2026
subTerra is a metal detecting log and find tracking application.
subTerra is a mobile app that allows you to keep track of your metal detecting digs and finds.
e-mail: subTerraSupport@iCloud.com
Feel free to send any bug or feature suggestions to: subTerraSupport@iCloud.com
When you record a find or take a photo the app uses your phone's built in GPS receiver to store the location.
Apple ensures that all apps request permission from the user before accessing the GPS receiver.
If location permissions have previously been denied:
Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > subTerra and set to Always.
This can vary due to certain environmental factors such as terrain, weather and buildings. GPS signal accuracy is displayed in the info window during a dig.
Check that location permissions are set to Always in:
Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > subTerra
This app's core functionality depends on its ability to access the GPS receiver. Nothing useful can be accomplished until that permission has been granted.
Maps that use satellite images sometimes don't allow the same level of zoom as the other types. This is due to the limitations of the satellite imagery itself.
You can take find photos or dig photos. Find photos are for documenting your finds and are attached to that find, while dig photos are a more general reminder of your dig.
You can take a photo at the same time as you record the find by using the camera button. You can also use the camera button at the bottom of any find's info screen.
A low resolution version of your photo is stored within the app. A full resolution copy is stored in your Photo Library if you have selected this option in the app Settings and you have given the appropriate permissions when prompted.
Yes, you can add as many photos as you want to a find.
Check that Photos permissions are set to Add Photos Only in:
Settings > Privacy & Security > Photos > subTerra
Photos can be deleted from the Photos section of the Digs tab or from within the Find screen itself.
You can give your photos a name in any of the photo screens.
Target ID is the number shown on your detector's display when it detects your find. It indicates the metallic composition of the buried object and can also be affected by the size and shape and depth of the find.
To be shown on the chart, finds must be assigned a Target ID and a material and a detector.
You can choose to hide the unknown category from your charts by selecting the switch in the Settings & Support tab.
You can choose to hide the categories with zero finds from your charts by selecting the switch in the Settings & Support tab.
Yes, find data can be exported to several file formats. This can be done for an individual find within that find's details screen or for all finds within the Finds tab.
subTerra supports .csv, .kml, .geojson and .gpx file formats.
The export formats are text based and do not support images however if you have chosen to export a copy of your photos to the Photos Library, you can export them from there.
If you have iCloud Backup enabled on your device all of your subTerra data is automatically backed up - including finds, digs, photos, landowner details and settings —
To ensure your data is backed up:
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap [Your Name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup.
3. Ensure “Back Up This iPhone” is turned ON.
4. Tap “Back Up Now” to manually back up your latest finds.
Yes. If you have iCloud Backup enabled, your finds and all other subTerra data will be restored automatically when setting up a new iPhone from an iCloud Backup.
You can use the button at the bottom of the Support section of the Settings & Support tab to delete all of your detecting history including finds, digs, photos, boundaries and landowner details. Use this option with extreme caution as it cannot be reversed except by restoring your entire phone from an iCloud Backup.
No, never.
Yes. You can link a landowner to multiple digs by adding them to the Landowner section of the dig's view.