Questions, answered.
The short answers to what mariners ask most. If yours isn't here, email us — we read everything.
Is Portside really free?
Yes. Portside is free to download and free to use — including local logging, which will always be free forever. No account required, no ads, no nonsense.
Cloud Sync (optional) is also free today. We may introduce a paid tier in the future, but you'll always be notified before anything changes, and local logging will remain free regardless.
Do I need an account to use Portside?
No. You can use Portside entirely offline, forever, without ever creating an account. Your data stays on your device.
An account is only required if you want Cloud Sync — the optional feature that backs up your logbook so you can access it from another device.
Does Portside work without internet?
Yes. Portside is offline-first. Every feature — logging vessels, recording port calls, viewing your history, downloading offline maps — works without any internet connection.
Only two features ever touch the network: Cloud Sync (optional) and offline map downloads (only when you actively download a region). Everything else is fully local.
Where is my data stored?
By default, everything stays on your device. Portside doesn't send anything anywhere unless you explicitly turn on Cloud Sync.
If you enable Cloud Sync, your vessel records are transmitted over HTTPS and stored on Supabase servers. Only your email address and your log records are sent. Nothing else. You can delete all of it any time from Settings → Account → Delete Account.
See the full Privacy Policy for details.
How do I delete my account and data?
From inside the app: Settings → Account → Delete Account. This permanently removes your user record and all synced vessel records from our servers.
Local data on your device can be cleared separately from Settings → Storage & Data, or by uninstalling the app.
If you can't access the app, you can also request deletion on the web or email [email protected].
Does Portside replace official navigation?
No — never. Portside is a personal logbook, not a navigational system. It must never be used as the sole means of navigation.
All seamarks, buoys, lights, and port information are rendered from third-party open data and may be incomplete or outdated. Always consult official charts, Notices to Mariners, and the relevant national hydrographic office before and during any voyage.
Read the full Navigation Disclaimer.
Can I export my logbook?
Yes. From Settings → Storage & Data, you can export your entire logbook as JSON (full backup, restorable) or CSV (opens in Excel, Numbers, Google Sheets).
You can also import a JSON file back into a fresh install, so your data is never locked in.
What platforms does Portside support?
Portside is built for Android and will be available on Google Play. It requires Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or later.
There is currently no iOS version. The website you're reading is just marketing — the actual app is the thing you install.
How much data does the offline map download use?
Depends on the region size. A typical coastal region at low zoom levels is 5–30 MB. Larger regions with more detail can reach 100+ MB.
You can see how much storage your offline maps are using at any time in Settings → Storage & Data, and delete regions individually when you no longer need them.
I found a bug — how do I report it?
Email [email protected] with:
- What you were doing when it happened
- What you expected vs. what actually happened
- Your Android version and phone model (Settings → About phone)
- A screenshot or screen recording if possible
We read every message and usually reply within a day.
Will Portside come to iPhone?
Not currently planned. Portside is built on Android-specific technology (MapLibre GL Native, native Kotlin), and a proper iOS version would be a full rewrite — not a quick port.
If there's enough demand, it could happen. If you'd use it on iPhone, email us and let us know.
Is my data safe if I lose my phone?
If you have Cloud Sync enabled: yes. Sign in on a new device and your logbook comes back automatically.
If you don't use Cloud Sync: your data lives only on your device, so a lost or wiped phone means a lost logbook. Two safeguards:
- Export a JSON backup regularly (Settings → Storage & Data) and save it to Google Drive, email, or your computer.
- Turn on Cloud Sync — it's optional, free today, and the easiest way to never lose your log.