In conjunction with the Walk-Frankfurt audio guided tours, here is a how-to guide on downloading and using the voicemap app.
How does VoiceMap work?
VoiceMap uses your phone’s GPS to play commentary automatically. Once you have the Voicemap app and have downloaded an audio tour, plug in your earphones, press start , and put your phone away. A voice will tell you where to go, and the next part of the story will only play once you move on. You can walk at your own pace, and stop for pictures along the way. Just listen out for directions, and if you can’t remember where to go, take a look at the map on your screen.
How do I install the app?
You can download the app for Android devices in the Google Play Store, and iPhone in the App Store. Just search “VoiceMap” and look out for the red headphones icon. Once it’s installed, sign up.
Why do I have to sign up?
Once you download a VoiceMap tour, it’s yours forever. You need to have an account so that you can access your tours.
Do I have to be near a WiFi network?
You can use WiFi or data to download the app and the tour. Wait for all the files to download, and then you can disconnect and turn off your mobile data. All the audio files and maps will work offline. Make sure you don’t put your phone on airplane mode. That turns your GPS off, so nothing will play.
How much does the app cost?
The app is free to download. Frankfurt tours are individually priced, starting at $4.99.
How do I play the audio tracks?
Don’t worry about it! VoiceMap will take care of all that. You don’t need to manually play, pause or skip to the next track. The app does all of that for you.
How do I start?
Once the tour has finished downloading, just press start and the tour will begin right away. If nothing is playing:
- check you are on the right tour,
- check you are close enough to the start point. Voicemap tells you how many meters to the start point and starts automatically once you arrive.
What's my password?
It’s the password you entered when you signed up to the Voicemap App. If you can’t remember, you can reset it at the website (voicemap.me) or in the app.
Can I listen to a route I’ve downloaded more than once? Do routes expire?
Once you download a tour, it’s yours to keep. You can delete it from your phone, and still
re-download it at any time in the future.
Nothing is playing! What do I do?
Check the following:
1. Is your GPS turned on? VoiceMap needs GPS to be enabled to play audio.
2. Is your phone on airplane mode? If yes, turn it off. Airplane mode disables your GPS.
3. Have you allowed VoiceMap to access your location? If not, go to your location settings and allow the app to use your location.
4. Did you allow all the tracks to download completely?
5. Is your volume turned up, and are your earphones working properly?
Can I stop a tour?
You can stop whenever you like. The tour will resume automatically when you reach the next point of interest. Just make sure you don’t close the app, or you’ll have to start from the beginning. Remember that when you start walking again, it’ll carry on automatically, so put your earphones in before you get going.
Are there other tours?
As well as the Walk-Frankfurt walking tours, VoiceMap offers tours in over 45 cities, each one unique and created by passionate locals. You can browse the city list to see what’s available.
