🗺️ How to Use Gemwalk

Your Complete Guide to Discovering Local Gems

Welcome to Gemwalk!

Gemwalk helps you discover amazing local places, share hidden gems, and explore your surroundings like never before. This guide will walk you through all the features of the app.

Getting Started

Map View

The main screen shows a map of your area with nearby Points of Interest (POIs) marked with colorful icons. Your current location is indicated by a blue navigation arrow.

Tips

  • Pinch to zoom in and out on the map
  • Drag to move around and explore different areas
  • Tap any marker to see more details about that location

Main Features

Add a New POI

Share interesting places, events, or deals with the community by adding a new POI at your current location.

  1. Tap the + button (blue circular button on the right side)
  2. Enter a title for your POI
  3. Add a description with helpful details
  4. Select an appropriate category
  5. Tap Save to share it with others

Note

You need to be signed in to add POIs. The POI will be created at your current location.

Return to Your Location

If you've moved the map away from your current position, quickly center the map back on your location.

  1. Tap the GPS crosshairs button (blue circular button on the right)
  2. The map will animate back to your current location

View POI Details

See detailed information about any point of interest, including its category, votes, when it was added, and walking directions.

  1. Tap any marker on the map
  2. An information card will appear showing:
    • Title and description of the location
    • Category with a colored icon
    • Vote score showing community rating
    • Time added and expiry information
    • Walking route drawn on the map (blue line)

Vote on POIs

Help the community by voting on POIs. Upvote places you like or downvote ones that aren't helpful.

Upvote
Downvote
  1. Tap on a POI marker to open its details
  2. Tap the thumbs up icon to upvote (green)
  3. Tap the thumbs down icon to downvote (red)

Note

You need to be signed in to vote. You can only vote once per POI from your device.

Report "Not There Anymore"

If you visit a location and find that it's no longer valid (event ended, store closed, etc.), you can report it to help keep the map accurate.

  1. Open the POI details by tapping its marker
  2. Tap the X circle icon (red)
  3. After enough reports, the POI will be automatically removed

Get Directions

Get walking directions to any POI. You can view the route in the app or open it in your device's maps app.

  1. Tap on a POI marker
  2. A walking route will automatically appear as a blue line
  3. Tap the directions icon (green) to refresh the route
  4. Or tap the route information to open in Apple Maps or Google Maps

Share Locations

Share interesting places with friends through messages, social media, or any app on your device.

  1. Open a POI by tapping its marker
  2. Tap the share icon (blue)
  3. Choose how you want to share (Messages, WhatsApp, etc.)
  4. Your friend can tap the link to open it in Gemwalk

Browse & Filter

Filter POIs

Customize what you see on the map by filtering POIs by category, distance, time, or searching by name.

  1. Tap the filter icon (blue circular button on the right)
  2. Choose filters:
    • Category: Show only specific types of POIs
    • Distance: Adjust the search radius (0.5km - 10km)
    • Time: Show POIs added within the last 24h, 7d, or 30d
    • Search: Find POIs by name or description
  3. Filters apply immediately to the map

List View

View all nearby POIs as a sorted list, making it easy to browse and compare multiple locations.

  1. Tap the list icon (blue circular button on the right)
  2. See all POIs sorted by distance from your location
  3. Each item shows category, distance, and vote score
  4. Tap any item to select it on the map

POI Categories

Gemwalk supports various categories to help you find exactly what you're looking for. Each category has its own unique icon and color:

General
Deal/Discount
Food Truck
Event
Alert
Tip/Hack
Sale
Freebie
Food & Drink
Shopping
Entertainment
Transport
Health
Education
Sports
Nature
Culture
Service
Accommodation
Other

Account & Profile

Your Profile

Sign in to unlock all features, track your contributions, and connect with friends.

  1. Tap the profile icon (blue circular button on the right)
  2. Sign in or create a new account
  3. View your statistics:
    • Number of POIs you've created
    • Votes you've given
  4. Access the Friends feature

Friends

Connect with friends to see the POIs they've created and shared.

  1. Open your Profile
  2. Tap Friends
  3. Send friend requests or accept pending requests
  4. View your friends' POIs by tapping on their name

Quick Reference

Button Guide

Add POI - Create a new point of interest
GPS - Return to your current location
Profile - View your profile and stats
List - View POIs as a list
Filter - Customize what you see
Upvote - Give a positive vote
Downvote - Give a negative vote
Share - Share with friends
Directions - Get walking route
Not There - Report invalid POI

Pro Tips

  • Time Filters: Use the time filter to find recent POIs for time-sensitive deals and events
  • Search Radius: Expand your search radius when exploring new areas
  • Categories: Filter by specific categories to find exactly what you need
  • Vote Wisely: Your votes help others find the best places - use them thoughtfully
  • Be Specific: When adding POIs, include helpful details in the description
  • Share Discoveries: Share interesting finds with friends to help them discover great places