What laptop, tablet or phone do I need?

BotanicalMapper runs in a web browser on laptops, tablets and phones. You do not need specialist hardware, just a reasonably recent device, an up-to-date browser and an internet connection.

In short
A laptop is best for detailed editing and spreadsheet work, a tablet is often the most practical device in the garden, and a phone is useful for quick updates, photos and location.

Which device should I use?

If a device can run modern interactive web maps smoothly in a browser, it will usually run BotanicalMapper well.

Laptop or desktop

Best for:

initial setup;
spreadsheet work;
importing data;
bulk editing;
drawing detailed areas or shapes;
managing larger collections.

A mouse or trackpad makes precise drawing easier, and a larger screen gives you more room when working with the map and plant lists.

Tablet

Often the most practical device for day-to-day use in the garden. Though it will need to have access to the internet and therefore need a SIM card.

You can:

add plants and landmarks;
take photographs;
update records while walking;
use My Location;
work with the map on a larger screen than a phone.

A stylus, including Apple Pencil on iPad, can also be useful for map interaction.

Landscape orientation usually gives you more room for the map and lists.

Phone

Useful as a pocket reference for:

finding a plant;
checking information;
taking photographs;
using My Location;
dropping a pin using GPS;
making quick updates.

A phone is less comfortable for long editing sessions, large spreadsheets or detailed drawing. Though its often the best way to just snap some photos for uploading later while your actually doing your daily work.

Most gardens will use a mixture of devices.

You might start a record on a phone or tablet while outside, then finish or tidy it later on a laptop. The workspace and data remain the same.

BotanicalMapper is a website, not a downloaded app

BotanicalMapper runs in your web browser.

You do not need to download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Open BotanicalMapper.com in a supported browser, sign in, and you can access the same workspace from your laptop, tablet or phone.

Browsers we recommend

Keeping your browser up to date matters more than the brand of laptop, tablet or phone you use.

Recommended browsers are:

iPhone and iPad: Safari
Windows: Chrome or Edge
Android: Chrome
Mac: Safari or Chrome

Firefox will usually work too.

Older browsers, browsers built into social media or other apps, and locked-down work browsers that disable graphics acceleration may not work reliably.

If you are choosing tablets for a team, a recent iPad running Safari is a solid default.

What your device needs to run the map

The map is the most demanding part of BotanicalMapper.

It is drawn directly in your browser, so your device needs working browser graphics support and hardware acceleration.

You may sometimes see this technology referred to as WebGL.

If the rest of BotanicalMapper loads but the map is blank, black, flickering or does not appear correctly:

Update your browser and try again.
Try another recommended browser on the same device.
If you are using a work-managed computer, ask your IT team whether graphics acceleration or WebGL has been disabled.
Close other memory-heavy browser tabs and applications.

A large collection with many plants and photographs will use more memory than a simple webpage.

If a device struggles with interactive web maps generally, it is likely to struggle with BotanicalMapper too.

Internet connection

BotanicalMapper requires an internet connection.

Map imagery, photographs, workspace data and sign-in information are loaded over the internet, so BotanicalMapper is not currently an offline field tool.

A reliable Wi-Fi or mobile data connection is therefore needed when working outside. (If you have no signal or internet connection, you can still take photos and then place them on the map or add them to a plant later.)

Location, camera and orientation permissions

For the most useful experience in the garden, allow your browser to access certain device features when requested.

Location

Location access allows My Location to centre the map on where you are standing.

Camera

Camera access allows you to take photographs and use features such as Create from Photo.

Motion and orientation

On supported phones and tablets, motion and orientation access allows the map to respond to the direction in which you are holding or turning the device.

You can still use BotanicalMapper if you decline these permissions.

You will simply lose the features that depend on them.

Photographs can always be selected from your device's photo library instead of being taken directly through the browser.

Using BotanicalMapper on a laptop or desktop

A laptop or desktop is usually the best choice for:

first-time setup;
importing data;
spreadsheet editing;
working with many records;
drawing complex areas and shapes;
detailed administration.

A larger screen also makes it easier to see more of the map and surrounding interface at the same time.

Using BotanicalMapper on a tablet

A tablet is particularly well suited to recording information while working around a garden.

You can use it to:

add plants and landmarks;
take and attach photographs;
update records;
move around with the map;
use your current location;
work with a stylus where supported.

For many users, a tablet offers a useful balance between the portability of a phone and the larger working area of a laptop.

Using BotanicalMapper on a phone

A phone works well for quick tasks while you are moving around.

For example, you can:

find a plant;
view its details;
check information;
take a photograph;
add a quick update;
use GPS to help position yourself on the map.

For large spreadsheets, lengthy editing sessions or precise map drawing, a tablet or computer will usually be more comfortable.

A note for teams and IT

Everyone in a workspace can use their own device.

Your team does not need matching hardware.

If you are buying devices for staff, look for:

a recent iPad or Windows laptop that is still receiving software updates;
Safari, Chrome or Edge as the everyday browser;
enough local storage for taking and handling photographs;
reliable Wi-Fi or mobile data where the device will be used.

There is no minimum RAM figure that we publish because BotanicalMapper collections vary greatly in size and complexity.

A current tablet or laptop is the best starting point.

If a very large collection feels slow on a tablet, use a computer for heavier editing and keep the tablet for day-to-day recording in the garden.

If something does not work

If BotanicalMapper is not behaving as expected:

Update your device's operating system.
Update your browser.
Use Safari on Apple devices or Chrome or Edge on Windows rather than a browser running inside another app.
Check that location and camera permissions are enabled for your browser in the device settings.
Try BotanicalMapper on a second device.

If it works on another device, the issue is likely to be related to the first device, browser or its settings rather than your BotanicalMapper account.

If the map still will not load, contact us and tell us:

which device you are using;
which browser you are using;
what happens when you try to open the map.

That information is usually enough for us to begin diagnosing the problem.