01 · Get ready
Your before-you-go checklist
LuckyFind records your hunt; it does not detect metal, connect to a detector, or grant permission to search a location.
New to the hobby? Start with our metal detecting beginners’ guide. For site access, see where you can metal detect, then confirm the rules with the landowner or managing authority.
02 · Get a position
Set up location on your phone
Open LuckyFind while connected, allow location access, and wait outdoors for a usable position before starting. Dense cover and buildings can affect GPS. The map is not a survey or a guarantee of search coverage.
iPhone
Allow location access while using the app and leave Precise Location on. To revisit the choice, open Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → LuckyFind. Start recording with the app open, then test a short walk with the screen locked. Do not force-quit the app during a hunt.
Apple’s location settings guideAndroid
Allow location while using the app and choose precise, not approximate, access. Revisit it in Settings → Apps → LuckyFind → Permissions → Location; labels vary by phone. If asked, allow notifications to see the ongoing tracking status and Pause/Resume controls. Start recording with the app open, then test with the screen locked.
Google’s location settings guideYou do not need to give this website your location. These settings apply to the installed app.
03 · In the field
Record a route and log a find
- Open Detect and tap Start. Carry your phone as you walk. Check that the route is being drawn before putting it away.
- At the find location, tap Log Find. Wait for an accurate GPS fix if prompted. Add a name, category, depth and useful notes. Check the depth unit shown beside the field.
- Save the find. Use Save Find (or Save in older versions), then check the map before carrying on. If you explicitly paused the hunt, use Resume when you are ready.
GPS routes and find details are free. Adding find photos requires LuckyFind Premium; camera or photo access is requested when you use that feature.
04 · Wrap up
Pause is not the same as Done
- Pause / Resume
- Take a break within the same hunt. Resume when you want to record again.
- Done → Save Hunt
- Done opens the end-of-hunt review. Add a route name or notes, then use Save Hunt (or Save Route in older versions). Check that the saved hunt appears in Routes.
- Keep Hunting
- If you opened the review too soon, use Keep Hunting where offered. On iPhone, the review’s X button performs this action; on Android it is labelled Keep Hunting. Check that recording has resumed.
- Continue a saved route
- Open the hunt in Routes and choose Continue This Route or Continue Route. This adds to that existing hunt; choose Start from Detect when you want a separate outing. Do not use two phones to record the same hunt at once.
Discard deletes a hunt. It is not another way to save or pause. If a save fails, keep the draft open and retry; do not discard it to dismiss the error.
05 · Keep your record
Offline recording is not a cloud backup
LuckyFind is designed to keep recording during temporary loss of service. Fresh map tiles generally need a connection; previously viewed areas may remain cached. Do not rely on a complete downloadable offline map.
Reconnect after the hunt and give the app time to synchronize. Pending data on one device is not proof that a cloud copy exists. Avoid signing out, clearing app data or uninstalling while anything is waiting to upload.
Make your guest account recoverable
The app starts with an automatically created guest profile. In Settings, use the account or backup option to add an email and password. Sign in with Apple is also available on iOS. Keep using the same account; signing into a different one can show a different set of hunts.
Account sync for routes and find details does not require Premium. A recoverable account and completed synchronization are both important before replacing a phone. Contact support if you are unsure which account holds your hunts.
If something does not look right
The route is not moving
Check that you tapped Start, the hunt is not paused, precise location is allowed, and the phone has a GPS fix. Step into a more open area. If it stops only when locked, review the app’s location and battery restrictions in system settings and repeat a short test. Device power management can vary.
The map is blank offline
Map imagery and GPS recording are separate. Return to a connection to load the map. A blank map does not by itself show whether your route was saved; review the hunt after reconnecting.
A save or backup needs attention
Keep the hunt and account in place. Check free device storage and your connection, then use Retry if the app offers it. Avoid clearing data or reinstalling as a first troubleshooting step. If the issue persists, contact support before making destructive changes.
My hunts are missing on a new phone
Confirm that you are signed into the same LuckyFind account, not a new guest profile or a different sign-in. Keep the old installation until you have verified the expected hunts. If the old device still has pending work, reconnect it first.
Still stuck?
Email contact@getluckyfind.com with your device model, operating system, app version, what happened and any error message. Say whether the app was offline or the screen was locked. Redact precise locations and personal details from screenshots unless they are necessary to explain the issue.
Ready for a practice hunt?
Start with a short route somewhere you have permission to detect.