Help Guide

1. Open the Google Play Store on your Android device.
2. Tap the search bar and type “RelicRoute”.
3. Tap Install next to the RelicRoute app (look for our green and bronze logo).
4. Wait for the download and installation to complete.
5. Tap Open to launch the app.

Requirements: Android 10 (API 29) or later. Requires Google Play Services.

1. Set your location — When you first open RelicRoute, choose how you want to search:
   • Enter a postcode: Type in a UK postcode and tap Search.
   • Use GPS: Tap “Use my GPS location” to search around your current position.
2. Review the map — On the Explore screen, RelicRoute searches within roughly 5 km of your selected location and places markers on the map for recommended spots.
3. Open a spot — Tap a marker to see a quick preview, then tap “View details” to open the full recommendation.
4. Save the best ones — If you are signed in, tap the star on a recommendation to save it for later.

RelicRoute needs location access to show nearby detecting spots and provide accurate recommendations.

1. When prompted, tap “While using the app” or “Only this time”.
2. If you previously denied access, go to Settings > Apps > RelicRoute > Permissions > Location and select “Allow only while using the app”.

Tip: On Android 12+, you can also grant “Approximate location” only, but “Precise location” is recommended for the best experience.

• Map and markers: Each marker represents a recommended location. The number on the marker is the location score.
• Your search area: A circle around your location shows the area currently being searched.
• Location badge: Your current search location appears at the top. Tap it to change location.
• Centre button: Use the location button to jump back to your selected search area.
• Results sheet: The panel at the bottom shows how many spots were found and lists them in order.

RelicRoute currently supports four map views:

• Map: A standard map view for roads, fields, and nearby features.
• Satellite: Satellite imagery to help judge terrain, access, and land use.
• Historic OS: Historic Ordnance Survey mapping to help reveal former buildings, routes, and features.
• LiDAR: A terrain-focused layer that can reveal earthworks, subtle shapes, and landscape anomalies.

Each recommendation has a score to help you compare locations quickly. In general:

• Higher scores suggest stronger combined evidence from the app’s data sources.
• Mid-range scores may still be worth checking, especially if they fit your interests or local knowledge.
• Lower scores can still be usable, but the evidence is weaker or less complete.

A score is only a guide. It does not guarantee finds.

Each spot also includes a legal status badge:

• Clear: No known legal restrictions were detected in the app’s current coverage for that spot.
• Caution: The location may be near a protected area or may need extra checking before you detect.
• Restricted: The app has identified a likely restriction. This spot should be treated as off-limits unless you have the correct official consent.
• Coming Soon: Legal coverage for that area is not yet complete. Always make your own checks before detecting.

Open any recommendation to see the full breakdown:

• Score and summary: A quick explanation of why the spot was recommended.
• Distance and direction: Shows how far the location is from your selected search point.
• LiDAR hillshade image: Where available, this gives you a close-up view of the terrain clue that contributed to the recommendation.
• Interactive map: Switch between Map, Satellite, Historic OS, and LiDAR to inspect the area from different angles.
• Scoring breakdown: RelicRoute currently breaks the score into PAS Finds, LiDAR, Historic Maps, Soil, and Accessibility. Each factor includes a score and a short explanation.
• Nearby Finds: Where available, you’ll see nearby Portable Antiquities Scheme finds, including thumbnails and links to the original records.
• Legal detail: If a nearby restriction has been identified, the app may show the type of restriction plus distance and direction.
• Grid reference: Each recommendation includes its grid reference for easy reference.

Signed-in users can request an AI-generated explanation for a recommendation. This gives a plain-English summary of why the location may be worth checking based on the data behind it.

The Saved tab is your shortlist.

• Save a location: Tap the star on a recommendation detail page.
• Open a saved location: Saved spots keep their score, summary, legal status, map, and supporting detail.
• Remove a saved location: You can remove saved items from the list or from the saved detail page.

If you are not signed in, you’ll be prompted to sign in before you can save or view saved locations.

The Profile tab lets you manage your account and search preferences.

Location: Your current search location is shown here. Tap “Change location” to update it.

Preferred Eras: You can filter results by historical era. The current build supports:

• Prehistoric
• Roman
• Early Medieval
• Medieval
• Post Medieval
• Modern

If no eras are selected, RelicRoute treats that as searching across all eras.

Avoid Protected Areas: Turn this on to filter out locations associated with protected areas such as scheduled monuments and SSSIs.

Sign up: Create an account using your email address and password, or use Sign in with Google. You’ll verify your account using the code sent to your email.

Sign in to:

• Save locations
• Access AI explanations
• Sync your account activity more reliably across sessions

Forgot password: Use “Forgot password” on the sign-in screen to request a reset code by email.

RelicRoute includes a free tier. In the current build, the free tier shows 3 recommendations per day. When you hit the daily limit, the app shows the upgrade screen.

Premium includes:

• Unlimited recommendations per day
• AI-powered explanations for every spot
• Advanced preferences and filters
• Priority support

Your subscription is managed through Google Play. To cancel or change, go to Google Play Store > Menu > Subscriptions.

If a previous purchase is not showing, use “Restore previous purchase” from the upgrade screen.

“Could not find that postcode”
Check the spelling and spacing, then try again. Use a full postcode where possible.

GPS is not working
Make sure location permission is enabled for the app in Settings > Apps > RelicRoute > Permissions > Location. If GPS still fails, use postcode search instead.

“Session expired”
Sign in again. This usually means your session token needs refreshing.

No spots found
Try one of these:

• Move your search location slightly
• Search a nearby postcode
• Turn off restrictive filters
• Check back later as coverage grows

Saved locations are empty
You need to be signed in to save and view saved locations.

Images or map layers do not load
This is usually a temporary network or coverage issue. Try again on a stronger connection.

RelicRoute does not grant permission to detect anywhere. You must get permission from the landowner or land manager before using a metal detector. Public access does not automatically mean metal detecting is allowed.

Scheduled monuments are legally protected. In both England and Wales, metal detecting on a scheduled monument requires official consent, and unauthorised detecting on these sites can be a criminal offence.

Some protected sites, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest, may require consent for activities that could damage them. If a location is near a sensitive site, always check the local restrictions before detecting.

Being inside a national park or protected landscape does not remove the need for permission. Some authorities or land managers may refuse metal detecting on land they own or manage.

If you think you may have found treasure, act quickly. Current GOV.UK guidance says treasure must be reported within 14 days, and the public-facing reporting route is through your local Finds Liaison Officer.

RelicRoute encourages all users to follow the Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting in England and Wales and to record significant finds with the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

No. RelicRoute highlights promising locations based on available data, but no app can guarantee what is in the ground.

No. It only means the app has not identified a restriction in its current coverage. You still need permission and your own checks.

Coverage varies by dataset and region. Where legal coverage is incomplete, the app shows cautionary wording instead of making assumptions.

An account is needed for features like saved locations and AI explanations.

Historic OS helps reveal former human activity. LiDAR helps reveal subtle terrain shapes and earthworks that may not be obvious on modern maps or satellite imagery.

Stop, record the location carefully, handle the item responsibly, and follow the proper reporting route where required.