This guide walks you through getting started with the Utility Scout mobile app. You'll learn how to navigate the interface, configure your settings, use the mapping tools, and manage poles and spans in the field. Once you're comfortable with the basics, check out the companion article on Measurement Workflows to start collecting data.
In This Guide
Before You Start
Make sure you have the following:
The Utility Scout app downloaded from the iOS App Store (iOS only)
An iPhone 14 Pro or newer for the best experience
Your Cloneable account email address to log in
Your high accuracy stick targets (if using high accuracy mode). Know whether you have Version 1 or Version 2.
A flat-backed phone case (required)
Important: An iPhone 14 Pro or newer is required for the full measurement experience. Older or base model iPhones have fewer cameras, which may limit you to a less accurate measurement workflow. Cases with thick padding, Velcro straps, or uneven surfaces will prevent accurate tilt readings and cannot be used.
Syncing & Offline Mode
When you open the app, you'll see a map with a sync status indicator in the top left corner.
"Synced" means all data is up to date between your device and the web portal
The app auto-syncs every 15 seconds when you have internet. You can also tap the status to force a sync.
Tap the green toggle to pause syncing. This saves battery by stopping the app from checking for uploads and downloads every 15 seconds.
Tip: The entire app works fully offline. Data saves to your device and uploads automatically as soon as you reconnect to internet. A banner will appear on your home screen telling you how many objects need to upload. Tap the banner to open the app; the screen will stay on until the upload completes and the status shows "Synced."
Note: For organizations with many jobs, the initial sync may take several minutes as the app downloads all project data. If your device is running low on storage, see Managing Device Storage for tips on freeing up space. Ask your project manager to archive completed jobs in the web portal to reduce the download size.
Selecting a Job
Below the sync status, you'll see the Job selector. Think of a job as a way to separate out a client project or a specific line within a project.
Jobs are configured in the web portal. Tap the job name to switch between available projects. When you load a job, the map will automatically zoom to fit all poles and assets within that project.
Pole Measurement Settings
Tap the person icon in the top right corner to access your settings. Here are the key options:
High Accuracy Stick Target Version
Select which version of the high accuracy stick targets you're using. Most customers should select Version 2 (shipped since June 2025). If you're unsure, reach out to the Cloneable team. This setting is important for accurate measurements. For more details, see Measurement Calibration and Stick Settings.
Camera bump tip (High Accuracy): If your phone has a camera bump, position the phone so the bump hangs over the top edge of the target. This keeps the flat back of the phone flush against the flat target surface. In standard mode, tilt zeroing handles the bump automatically; in high accuracy mode, this physical positioning is how you account for it.
Tilt Zeroing
This calibration is used for Standard Mode (measuring without the high accuracy stick). It accounts for any bump on your phone case that could affect tilt readings.
To calibrate:
Place your phone flat against an interior wall
Tap Calibrate Now
Wait for the 5-second countdown to complete
Note: You only need to do this once unless you change your phone or case. A fully flat case should zero out to approximately 0°.
Important: Tilt zeroing is the most common source of measurement errors in the field. Think of it like zeroing out a scale before weighing something. The calibration saves your phone's case offset so every tilt reading accounts for it. If this step is skipped or done incorrectly, pole measurements will be off.
Bottom Pole Length
The standard high accuracy stick uses three 2-ft sections (6 ft total). If you need to add an extra section to clear vegetation or obstacles, change this setting from 1 to 2. This places two sections below the bottom target instead of one. Remember to switch it back for the next pole.
Advanced Settings
Warning: You'll see an Advanced Settings option on this page. Do not adjust any settings in here unless directed by the Cloneable support team. These are internal settings that can affect measurement accuracy and app performance if changed.
Live Chat Support
Tap the message bubble icon (top right, next to the person icon) to access support resources:
Tutorial Videos — Regularly updated how-to content
Live Chat — Tap the blue Chat button to send a message directly to the Cloneable support team. You'll typically get a quick reply, and the team can even hop on a live call if needed.
Tip: Use Live Chat to reduce downtime in the field. You don't need to go through a project manager. The support team works directly with fielders to resolve issues quickly.
Map Navigation & Controls
The map screen includes several navigation controls on the right side:
Button | Function |
Blue Arrow (top) | Zoom to your current GPS location |
Center Bubble | Toggle between Show Location (map follows you) and Center on Locations (map fits all project assets) |
Map Icon (bottom) | Switch between Satellite view and Standard map view |
Tip: Most fielders prefer Satellite view for better context of where they are relative to the assets they need to collect.
Adding Poles & Spans
Most projects come pre-planned from GIS data or the web portal. However, if GIS data is outdated or a pole is missing, fielders can add them directly from the app.
Adding a Single Pole
Tap Add Pole
A crosshair appears; position it where the pole is located
Tap Add Pole Manual (bottom left) to confirm
Adding a Line of Connected Poles
Tap Add Pole
Enable Continue Adding at the bottom
Auto Midspan is enabled by default when using Continue Adding, which automatically places midspan measurement points between poles. You can disable it if midspan collection is not needed.
Tap to place each pole. Spans and midspan points are created automatically.
Tap Done when finished
Note: Any button with a down arrow can be long-pressed to reveal additional options, for example, different span types (underground, overlap, etc.) that have been configured for your account.
Tracking Progress
Swipe up on the bottom drawer to view project progress, including:
Number of poles completed
Number of spans completed
Overall completion percentage
If you have internet, this progress syncs to the web portal in real time. Office staff can track field progress without contacting the fielder.
Pole Options: Move, Connect & Delete
Tap any pole to open the options drawer at the bottom of the screen. Swipe left on the drawer to reveal additional options. There are more options than what's visible at first glance, so make sure to scroll through the full set.
You'll see measurement options (Add Guy, Measure Pole) which are covered in the Measurement Workflows article, along with these mapping tools:
Action | How It Works |
Move Pole | Drag to the new location and confirm. Connected spans snap automatically. |
Connect Objects | Select a span type, tap the target pole, and optionally add a midspan point. Confirm to create the connection. |
Delete Pole | Remove a pole and its associated spans. You can also delete individual spans or midspan points. |
Collecting Field Data & Photos
Tap on a pole and swipe up on the drawer to see configurable data fields. These are set up in the web portal and can include:
Text fields — Freehand entry (e.g., pole class)
Custom dropdowns — Pre-configured picklists
Required photos — Marked with a red asterisk (e.g., pole tag photo, inspection photo)
To capture a photo, tap the field and use your device camera as you normally would. Pinch to zoom, tap to focus, etc.
Updating GPS Location
By default, a pole's location is based on where it was placed on the map. To update it to your device's GPS:
Stand near the pole
Tap Update Location
Review the map showing the original position vs. your GPS position
Confirm to update
Note: Standard iPhone GPS is typically accurate within a couple of meters. For customers using an external RTK GPS, Utility Scout will use that higher-precision location instead, providing centimeter-level accuracy.
What's Next
Now that you're familiar with the app interface and basic mapping tools, head over to the Utility Scout Measurement Workflows article to learn how to collect guy wire measurements, pole heights, attachment data, and midspan heights. You can also explore the Cloneable Web Portal Overview to see how your field data appears on the web side.
Tips & Reminders
Topic | Reminder |
Offline Mode | The app works fully offline. Data syncs automatically when you reconnect. |
Live Chat | Use it for fast field support instead of going through a project manager. |
Tilt Zeroing | Calibrate once per device/case combo. No need to redo it each time. |
Long-Press | Any button with a down arrow has additional options. Long-press to see them. |
Map View | Use Satellite view for better situational awareness in the field. |
Bottom Pole Length | Remember to switch back to 1 after using an extra section. |
Required Fields | Marked with a red asterisk. Complete them before moving on. |
High Accuracy Stick | Disassemble at the end of each day. Heat in vehicles can warp the sticks and targets. |
Advanced Settings | Do not change anything unless directed by the Cloneable support team. |