# Backseat Geologist — Your Personal Geology Guide

> Audio guide to geology visible from your vehicle during travel. (iPhone/iPad app by Blake Morgan.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backseat-geologist/id6746209605 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Blake Morgan](https://appshunter.io/developer/1815745960)
- Category: Navigation, Education
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 65 App Store ratings · 12 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.6 · 39 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, European Portuguese, European Spanish
- Released: 2025-07-14
- Data updated: 2026-08-31
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backseat-geologist/id6746209605/reviews.md

## What is Backseat Geologist?

Ever wanted a geologist to ride along and explain what's outside your window? 

Being a geologist myself, I went on vacation and wished I had someone to read geologic map descriptions as we drove across the countryside. When I got home, I started working on Backseat Geologist to do just that!

Backseat Geologist will give you audio descriptions of the rocks below your feet or wheels as you travel. 
- Browse the geologic map and tap around to see details about the geologic units that are near you 
- Start an Explore session and get updates on the geology below you as you move around
- Overlook Mode scans the geology of what you can see and tells you all about it
- Create Routes to listen to the geologic story of your commute, road trip, or family outing. Routes combine the context of each geologic unit you pass to create a more cohesive set of descriptions. 
- Routes can be saved offline for areas with bad service
- Long tap on the map to drop a pin and tap again to create a route to that location
- Adjust descriptions for any audience from kids to geology enthusiasts 
- Geology data is powered by Macrostrat and USGS geologic databases
- Explore Points of Interest of recently active volcanoes and historic earthquakes
- Choose between different base maps
- View regional stratigraphic columns
- Audio plays from the background and doesn't interfere with navigation or other apps
- Works well with other playing audio like music or podcasts
- Widget for the geology of your current location
- App Intent gives Siri access to geology information from the app without opening it. Say "Hey Siri, use Backseat Geologist"

Premium and Max users get:
- Improved audio quality
- Topographic map background layer option
- Download geologic map tiles and data for areas of the map to use offline
- Custom route creation
- Import GPX files in custom routes
- See further in Overlook Mode

Download Backseat Geologist and discover the millions and billions of years of earth history rolling by your window.

If you find any bugs or issues please contact me at support@backseatgeologist.com

Privacy Policy: https://backseatgeologist.com/privacy-policy
Terms of Service: https://backseatgeologist.com/terms-of-service
End User License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

## Key features

- Audio descriptions of geology
- Interactive geologic map
- Custom route creation
- Offline map and data access
- Adjustable audience settings
- Points of Interest (volcanoes, earthquakes)
- Background audio playback

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Max Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Premium Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Max Annual | $39.99 | per year |
| Premium Annual | $17.99 | per year |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Seward Highway | $4.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 12)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backseat-geologist/id6746209605/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Fire app if you love rocks

*2026-02-23*

Bottom text

### 1/5 — Pushy AI subscription plans

*2026-02-18*

Found that other free apps offer more data like stratigraphic columns and fossils, all without pushy ai.

### 5/5 — Alaskan Geoscientist

*2026-02-08*

I have to say, this app is SO COOL. It takes freely available data, and uses your location to talk to you about the geology as you drive over it.

The app is so cool that I am working with the developer to beta test features and also develop Digital Field Guides content for Alaska. Blake (the developer) has been super helpful and responsive, has provided rapid improvements, and has been a joy to work with. EVERY SINGLE PERSON I have showed Backseat Geologist to has said “That is SO COOL”, and the majority of them immediately downloaded it. (I watched a geology professor download it as I demo’d it last week)I’m looking forward to using it in places where I don’t know the geology!

And, it works WORLD WIDE! (Or, at least the data span the world, so it should work world wide if you have a data connection. My quick check on a couple countries in Africa suggested that the geologic data are valid). Wish that I’d had the app when I was driving around Scotland…..

### 5/5 — Cool app

*2025-12-21*

This is cool and works well

### 5/5 — Great Informative App

*2025-12-11*

Found this app through Topo Traveler. Super informative, I’m already very pleased with it and can’t wait to use it when traveling.

### 5/5 — Trusted by Rockdocdan

*2025-12-05*

I'm a PhD geologist and social media creator and I learn so much every time I open this app. It has made planning my trips so much easier. So glad I found this!

### 5/5 — Very cool app

*2025-10-19*

Props to Topo Traveler on YouTube for recommending this app, very neat to learn about all of the geology around you.

### 5/5 — Great narrative on the road

*2025-08-04*

I love this app as I drive over various landscapes. The descriptions are very clear and visible features are mentioned as I drive by.

### 5/5 — Interesting and fun

*2025-08-02*

It’s interesting to hear about the geology of an area as you drive through. Fascinating to hear how the earth has changed to what it is today.

### 5/5 — My New Favorite Travel Companion!

*2025-07-25*

I stumbled upon this app recently, and it has completely revolutionized the way I experience travel. As someone with a budding interest in geology, I've always wanted to understand more about the landscapes I'm driving through, but without being a professional, it was hard to connect the dots. This app is like having a personal geologist riding shotgun! Highly, highly recommended.

## Frequently asked questions about Backseat Geologist

### What is Backseat Geologist?

Backseat Geologist is a navigation app that provides audio descriptions of the geology around you as you travel. It uses geologic map data to explain the rocks and earth history visible from your car.

### Can I use Backseat Geologist offline?

Yes, routes can be saved offline for areas with poor service. Premium and Max users can also download specific geologic map tiles and data for offline use.

### What subscription plans does Backseat Geologist offer?

Backseat Geologist offers Premium and Max plans, available monthly or annually. The Premium Monthly plan costs $1.99 and includes a free trial. Max plans offer additional features.

### Is Backseat Geologist suitable for children?

Yes, the app allows you to adjust descriptions for any audience, from kids to geology enthusiasts, making it adaptable for younger learners.

### What devices does Backseat Geologist support?

Based on the provided data, Backseat Geologist currently supports iPhones.

### How often is Backseat Geologist updated?

The app was last updated on February 16, 2026, indicating active development and regular updates.

### Does Backseat Geologist work with other audio apps?

Yes, the app plays from the background and is designed not to interfere with navigation or other apps, and works well with other audio like music or podcasts.

### Where can I find information about the geology data used?

The geology data in Backseat Geologist is powered by Macrostrat and USGS geologic databases.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.8.2 — 2026-07-17

Fix for excessive repetition of already heard audio segments.

### 1.8.1 — 2026-07-12

Geologic map loading performance improvements

### 1.8 — 2026-06-24

Going global! The app is now translated into French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, and Italian. Geology descriptions will be generated and played in your device language if it is supported. 
Mapping coverage and routing has been improved for many parts of the world as well. 
Various other bug fixes and improvements across app systems. 
Free tier limit changed from 25 to 20 free segments per month.

### 1.7.3 — 2026-05-19

Increased resilience for data outages
Source now shows prominently in the geology info panel when tapping on the map
Bug fixes and improvements

### 1.7.2 — 2026-05-04

Minor tweaks, bug fixes, and performance improvements

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-31.*