# Stereonet Mobile

> Geological orientation data collection, visualization, and analysis tool for mobile devices. (iPhone/iPad app by Richard Allmendinger.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stereonet-mobile/id1194772610 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Richard Allmendinger](https://appshunter.io/developer/1194772609)
- Category: Education, Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.46/5 from 13 App Store ratings · 9 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 29 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2017-01-24
- Data updated: 2026-07-07
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stereonet-mobile/id1194772610/reviews.md

## What is Stereonet Mobile?

Stereonet Mobile is designed to help you collect, visualize, and analyze geological orientation data. It is a companion to my Stereonet program for desktop computers. As such I have tried to incorporate the basic functionality of that program, taking into account the inherent limitations of mobile devices. Some of the basic tasks that one can perform with Stereonet Mobile include:

• Provide automatic data entry as a geologist's compass by reading the iOS device orientation and converting it to strike and dip of planes and/or trend and plunge of lines. It is the only geology compass app that can use augmented reality to record the strike and dip of planes using the sighting method and the device camera.

• Provide manual data entry via either tapping and dragging on the stereonet or by typing values into text fields

• Plot lines and planes, which can be tagged using one of as many user defined data types (e.g., bedding, cleavage, slickensides, etc.) as you want

• Carry out basic calculations such as: rotations about any axis, planes from poles or poles from planes, measure angles between lines and between planes, and basic slope stability calculations

• Plot mean vectors, cylindrical best fits, rose diagrams, and contour lines.

• View the plots from any orientation, not just looking straight down into the lower hemisphere

• See the location of a datum on a map or satellite image (if you have an internet connection)

• Show realtime changes to the stereonet projection to help students understand the geometry of the device better

• Provide basic input and output of data using standard iOS conventions

• Works on iPhones or iPads. The program will work on iPods or iPads lacking a cellular data connection but those devices have fewer sensors and thus cannot be used in automatic data collection mode.

## Key features

- Automatic data entry via device orientation
- Augmented reality for strike and dip measurement
- Manual data entry via stereonet or text fields
- Plotting of lines and planes with user-defined types
- Basic geological calculations (rotations, angles, slope stability)
- Plotting of mean vectors, rose diagrams, and contour lines
- View plots from any orientation

## Recent user reviews (9 of 9)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stereonet-mobile/id1194772610/reviews.md

### 3/5 — A bit frustrating

*2026-06-17*

I wish you could have multiple projects or locations. 

The UI design results in the auto function frequently turning off or the location turning off resulting in having to retake a bunch of measurements.

**Developer response:** Hi Joe. Thanks for the update of your review. I think you’re referring to the “tap anywhere on the plot to turn off the auto feature” behavior.  As you know, geologists are frequently taking measurements on awkward surfaces — e.g., overhanging bedding planes, while hanging off unstable ledges, etc. — so the idea was to provide a large tap target that the user could hit without actually being able to see the face of their phone at all. But, your review highlights the downside of this approach. I could put in an option allowing the user to disable the behavior or make it a double tap but the latter has the disadvantage that it could shake the phone enough to disturb the measurement in some situations. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to contact me via my web page.

### 5/5 — A bit frustrating

*2026-03-09*

The UI design results in the auto function frequently turning off or the location turning off resulting in having to retake a bunch of measurements.

**Developer response:** Hi Joe. Thanks for the update of your review. I think you’re referring to the “tap anywhere on the plot to turn off the auto feature” behavior.  As you know, geologists are frequently taking measurements on awkward surfaces — e.g., overhanging bedding planes, while hanging off unstable ledges, etc. — so the idea was to provide a large tap target that the user could hit without actually being able to see the face of their phone at all. But, your review highlights the downside of this approach. I could put in an option allowing the user to disable the behavior or make it a double tap but the latter has the disadvantage that it could shake the phone enough to disturb the measurement in some situations. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to contact me via my web page.

### 1/5 — Rough

*2026-03-04*

This thing is so rough to use, absolutely 0 quality of life features.

**Developer response:** Hi Joe. I’m always interested in making my apps better but your review gives me no information to go on.  What “quality of life” features do you expect in a scientific plotting and measuring app? How would you suggest the app work to make measurements faster, easier, and more accurate?

### 4/5 — Great start, having a little trouble with importing data

*2022-11-04, version 4.0.5*

I love using this desktop program and I’m really happy to see the addition of an iOS app. 

I’ve never been able to import data sets between my pc and the mobile app without it crashing or saying the mobile stereonet format is unreadable. Because of that I can’t really use the app the way I’d like. I’m unsure if it’s a data file issue, but it happens on iPad, iPhone and multiple devices. I’ve redownloaded the app on all of these and it still crashes whenever attempting to import files. 

Unsure if this is a bug but it’s really inhibiting and for me has made the mobile app unusable really. I’ve just reverted to writing the data manually and doing my nets on the pc when I get back to the office.

Thank you to the development crew though, I appreciate the tool and the attempts to make it as functional as possible. I’ll keep trying and I hope there’s a simple fix for this issue because I’d love to leave the laptop at home and have my data in my pocket on field trips.

### 4/5 — Great consolidation

*2022-07-18, version 4.0.2*

Really good package of functions, however, big issue with the settings button. You can access settings but when clicking back it closes the app, regardless of any changes within the settings. Looking forward to this fix!

### 5/5 — Great

*2020-02-13*

Super good

### 5/5 — Very nifty

*2018-01-31*

I’m a student and this is extraordinarily useful, thank you for making this, will recommend to other students and staff

### 5/5 — Oh my

*2017-07-06*

I'm about to start a busy field season and this app is to become a critical part of it.  I'll be mapping tension crack caves in Franciscan assemblage -- prime focus on joint orientation.  Might even find the slope stability calculator useful!  This'll be amazing.

Appears you must explicitly save data on the data screen else if the app shutdowns per iOS, you'll need to go to Open and load the recovery file.  Best practice is to save your Project early and often!

**Developer response:** Thank you for your review. You might be interested in our manuscript documenting the accuracy of iPhones as data collection devices, how Stereonet Mobile works internally, and best practices concerning their use, available at: http://www.geo.cornell.edu/geology/faculty/RWA/programs/submitted_ms.pdf

Yes, save early and often is always a good idea with computer software. When the program is started up, I could have it load the Recovery File automatically. By the way, all of the data in the program  are saved whenever you tap the Save button in either the stereonet or the sighting view. Note that, if you erase data using the trash icon button in the data view, and then save a new measurement, the recovery file will have a single reading in it, i.e., only your most recent measurement. Another best practice: move your data files off of your phone as soon as possible and archive them on your desk/lap top.

### 5/5 — Just Super!

*2017-02-26*

Excellent tool for students! Note to other misfits: If you are terrible at visualizing, or simply just struggling with structural geology lab, download this! Read the manual, super easy to use. Input the data, see, understand, commit concept to memory. Thank you Professor Allmendinger!

## Frequently asked questions about Stereonet Mobile

### What is Stereonet Mobile used for?

Stereonet Mobile is designed to help geologists collect, visualize, and analyze geological orientation data. It allows for automatic and manual data entry, plotting of geological features, and basic calculations.

### Can Stereonet Mobile use augmented reality?

Yes, Stereonet Mobile is the only geology compass app that can use augmented reality to record the strike and dip of planes using the sighting method and the device camera.

### What kind of geological data can Stereonet Mobile plot?

Stereonet Mobile can plot lines and planes, which can be tagged using user-defined data types such as bedding, cleavage, or slickensides.

### Does Stereonet Mobile perform calculations?

Yes, Stereonet Mobile can perform basic calculations including rotations about any axis, planes from poles or poles from planes, measure angles between lines and planes, and basic slope stability calculations.

### What devices does Stereonet Mobile work on?

Stereonet Mobile works on iPhones, iPads, and iPods. Devices lacking a cellular data connection can still use the app but have fewer sensors and cannot be used in automatic data collection mode.

### Is Stereonet Mobile free to use?

Yes, Stereonet Mobile is available for free. It does not have in-app purchases or advertisements.

### How often is Stereonet Mobile updated?

The latest version of Stereonet Mobile is 4.0.5, last updated on October 31, 2022. This indicates a history of updates, though the frequency is not explicitly stated.

### What is the age rating for Stereonet Mobile?

Stereonet Mobile has an age rating of 4+. This suggests it is suitable for a wide range of users, including younger students learning about geology.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.5.2 — 2026-07-01

v. 4.5.2 -- 1 July 2026

• FIXED: This version fixes an issue uploading to and downloading from StraboSpot.

v. 4.5.0 -- 20 April 2026 (It's been a while!)

• NEW -- Stereonet Mobile now can account for camera bumps/plateaus and other non-planar elements on the back side of your phone when measuring a strike and dip by placing the back of the phone flush against the plane to be measured. There is a new calibration feature, accessible from the Settings Screen (gear icon) , "Correction for Camera Bump" that enables the app to figure out exactly what the correction factor should be for your phone and case. The calibration take maybe a minute and, once set will be applied to all new measurements, even after switching projects.

• NEW -- The Edit Type screen now uses the standard iOS color picker to select colors rather than the RGBA sliders in previous versions.

• IMPROVED --- The app now uses the new Apple design language throughout if you are on iOS or iPad OS 26. Rose diagrams now include all data sets. There have also been numerous interface tweaks and fine tuning. The users manual, accessible from the Settings Screen, has been updated.

• FIXED -- some minor bugs that would cause a line on plane (i.e., rake) not to function properly under certain circumstances.

### 4.5.1 — 2026-04-25

v. 4.5.1 -- 24 April 2026

• FIXED -- The previous version inadvertently broke the auto-measuring of a plane and of lines in the plane using the rake function. This bug has been fixed in this version.

v. 4.5.0 -- 20 April 2026 (It's been a while!)

• NEW -- Stereonet Mobile now can account for camera bumps/plateaus and other non-planar elements on the back side of your phone when measuring a strike and dip by placing the back of the phone flush against the plane to be measured. There is a new calibration feature, accessible from the Settings Screen (gear icon) , "Correction for Camera Bump" that enables the app to figure out exactly what the correction factor should be for your phone and case. The calibration take maybe a minute and, once set will be applied to all new measurements, even after switching projects.

• NEW -- The Edit Type screen now uses the standard iOS color picker to select colors rather than the RGBA sliders in previous versions.

• IMPROVED --- The app now uses the new Apple design language throughout if you are on iOS or iPad OS 26. Rose diagrams now include all data sets. There have also been numerous interface tweaks and fine tuning. The users manual, accessible from the Settings Screen, has been updated.

• FIXED -- some minor bugs that would cause a line on plane (i.e., rake) not to function properly under certain circumstances.

### 4.0.5 — 2022-10-31

v. 4.0.5 -- 30 October 2022

• Fixed a bug that cause a crash when the user changed settings BEFORE defining a project.

• When the user selects Dip azimuth and dip for the planes format, the labels on the Stereonet Screen now correctly show "Dip Az" and "Dip". Measurements were correct in that format, it was just that the labels didn't change as they should.

### 4.0.4 — 2022-07-19

v. 4.0.4 -- 2022.07.18

• Fixed an obscure bug in that could cause a crash when the data list table was rewritten.

• importing Stereonet Mobile text data now checks for duplicate identifiers in the incoming file and fixes them if necessary.

### 4.0.2 — 2022-07-06

V. 4.0.2 -- 2022.07.06

• Tap the "Strike" or "Trend" label on the Stereonet Screen to open the last entered datum directly in the Datum Details Screen, bypassing the Data List Screen entirely. This is useful if you want to immediately enter notes about your last measurement.

• Auto attitude is now turned off automatically when you leave the Stereonet Screen. Previously, if you turned auto attitude on, saved a measurement, and then left the Stereonet Screen to enter something in the datum details screen without first turning off Auto Attitude manually by toggling the switch or tapping in the stereonet, the device would keep "measuring" the orientation in the background. [This was not technically a bug but rather "the programmer never anticipated one way in which the users would want to use the app"! - ed.]

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## More apps by Richard Allmendinger

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All apps by Richard Allmendinger: https://appshunter.io/developer/1194772609

## Related topics

[stereonet mobile](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/stereonet-mobile) · [clino](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/clino) · [brunton compass](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/brunton-compass)

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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 2026-07-07.*