Lidark
Offline LiDAR mapping

Don’t get lost
underground.

Lidark turns your iPhone Pro’s LiDAR into a living map: see where you are, where you came from and how to get out. No network, no GPS, no account.

  • Offline
  • No GPS
  • No account
  • No ads
SoonApp StoreView my survey in 3D
Lidark home screen on iPhone: list of surveys, metres mapped and the New survey button

How it works

Three moves, no network. Everything is computed on the iPhone, in the gallery.

  1. Scan

    Start a survey at the entrance and walk on, sweeping the walls. The iPhone’s LiDAR measures the rock, ARKit tracks your position to the centimetre.

  2. Follow the minimap

    Walls, walkable floor coloured by altitude, the path you walked and your heading appear live. Drop landmarks: junction, shaft, danger.

  3. Follow the thread back

    Lidark computes the real distance to walk along your path to the entrance and points an arrow at the next stretch.

ENTRANCEYOUSHAFT142 mENTRANCE

Everything you need to find your way

Live minimap
Walls, walkable floor coloured by altitude, the path you walked and the distance to the entrance, as you move.
Way back to the exit
The real distance along the path, not as the crow flies (rock does not let you through), with an automatic shortcut when the path loops.
2D plan and 3D view
Every saved survey opens as a floor plan, an altitude profile or a 3D “dollhouse” view with the ceilings removed.
Landmarks
Junction, shaft, danger: drop landmarks while scanning, they stay visible on the minimap, the plan and in 3D.
Resume a survey
Come back to extend a gallery: Lidark realigns itself in the same frame, by sight then by wall shape, even by torchlight.
PLY and OBJ export
Send your model to MeshLab, CloudCompare or Blender, with or without altitude colours.
Night vision
A moon button turns the whole interface, the map and the camera feed red to protect your eyes in the dark.
Tracking alerts
Too fast, not enough detail, relocalizing: a vibration warns you. Nothing is recorded while tracking is unreliable.
Built for the field
Pure black screen, huge digits readable at arm’s length, 52 pt buttons you can hit with gloves, screen never sleeps while scanning.

Who it is for

Wherever GPS stops and you need to keep track of the way, within the law and with the usual precautions.

iPhone LiDAR, explained

LiDAR sends out invisible pulses of light and measures how long they take to come back: that is the distance to every surface, whatever the ambient light. iPhone Pro models, from the iPhone 12 Pro on, carry this sensor, which reaches a few metres.

ARKit assembles these measurements into a 3D mesh of the gallery and tracks the iPhone’s position with the camera and motion sensors. Lidark derives the minimap, the plan and the 3D model from it, entirely on the device.

One limit to know: position tracking is visual. It needs a little light, hence the automatic torch, and walls with some relief. A long smooth corridor or a wet surface can fool it.

LiDAR scanning on iPhone: the guide to mapping well

LiDAR
Distance measurement
ARKit
Position tracking
100%
Computed on the iPhone
ENTRANCEYOUSHAFT142 mENTRANCE

Night vision mode

Underground, your eyes adapt to the dark and a bright screen wrecks that. A moon button, on every screen, turns everything red in one tap, like cavers’ lamps.

Text, 2D plan, 3D model and even the camera feed: everything goes red at once. A pure black screen also switches off OLED pixels and saves battery.

The app

A Lidark survey page: plan, profile and 3D tabs, 68 m of development, lowest point at minus 4 m, duration and landmarks

Compatibility

  • iPhone Pro with a LiDAR scanner: iPhone 12 Pro and later Pro models, running iOS 17.6 or later.
  • iPhones without LiDAR cannot build a survey.
  • Everything works offline: no connection is needed underground.

Safety first

  • Lidark is an orientation aid, not a guarantee: it replaces neither a guide, nor a rope, nor a prior reconnaissance.
  • Respect restricted access, private property and local rules. Lidark is not meant for entering where it is forbidden.
  • Never rely on your phone’s battery alone: carry light and the means to get out.

Pricing

Free

€0

  • 3 saved surveys
  • Scanning, minimap and way back to the entrance are always free
  • Temporary scan without saving, beyond the 3 surveys
Lidark Pro

€4.99

One-time purchase, no subscription

  • Unlimited surveys
  • Resume a survey
  • 3D model view
  • PLY and OBJ export
  • 2D plan PNG & PDF (free too)

Frequently asked questions

Which devices does Lidark run on?

iPhone Pro models with the LiDAR scanner: iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, then every later Pro model. Lidark requires iOS 17.6 or later.

Is LiDAR really required?

Yes. It is what measures walls and floor. An iPhone without LiDAR (non-Pro models, SE) shows “LiDAR required” and cannot start a survey.

What is the torch for?

The iPhone’s tracking is visual: it needs light. The torch switches on automatically in the dark and can be toggled with the torch button while scanning. Keep it on, move smoothly and sweep the walls too. Moon mode turns the screen red to preserve night vision.

How many surveys are free?

3 saved surveys. Scanning, the minimap and the way back to the entrance always stay free, temporary scans included. Lidark Pro (€4.99, one-time purchase) unlocks unlimited surveys, resume, the 3D view and export.

How do I restore my purchases?

In Settings, tap “Restore purchases” (or from the Lidark Pro screen), with the same Apple ID you bought with. There is no subscription.

Can Lidark guide me safely?

No, it is an orientation aid. It replaces neither a guide, nor a rope, nor a prior reconnaissance of the cavity. Respect restricted access and never rely on your phone’s battery alone.

All questions

Keep your thread.

Scanning, the minimap and the way back to the entrance are free. Install Lidark before your next descent.

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