Surfr app problem

[Hugh2]

Suddenly today my Surfr app on my iPhone 7, no SIM, demanded that as a result of iOS15 one has to enable Guided Access under Accessibility. First time in months and this phone doesn't even have iOS15, still running on 14. But when I do that, it insists that I have not. It suggests restarting the phone but that does not help. Same thing with my user iPhone 8 with iOS15. Anyone else having this problem? And solutions?

[Face_NickJr]

After you've enabled it through settings, you still have to actually turn guided access on (every time, as soon as you open the Surfr app), by triple tapping the side button (or however you set that up in settings).

Guided access restricts the use of other apps while using Surf, which in my opinion is an obvious attempt to scrape more data and smother out competitor apps. It is free, so I don't have much room to complain, and I already go through the trouble of turning on full location access prior to each session. It is a bit annoying, as Strava has a more precise GPS history tracker (mapper), but I do like the redundancy Surfr provides when used alongside the Woo.

[Hugh2]

Thanks! But man that is a royal pain, it's going to cut back seriously on the number of people using Surfr. And it is now completely confusing because not only does it insist on this for phones running iOS14, not the iOS15 they claim is the issue, but the advice in their video to avoid turning off the phone screen before putting it in your pouch and wetsuit, disagrees with the advice you get once you start a session on the phone, which is to lock the screen. Not very impressive. AND, their email address for help does not work. I guess this is what you get for free, but it sucks as the app worked wonderfully for me for the past few months. And it is being promoted by local hotshot Michael MacDonald and was extensively used in the recent BAKL event here. Gonna be lots of pissed off users.

[Hugh2]

Thanks! But man that is a royal pain, it's going to cut back seriously on the number of people using Surfr. And it is now completely confusing because not only does it insist on this for phones running iOS14, not the iOS15 they claim is the issue, but the advice in their video to avoid turning off the phone screen before putting it in your pouch and wetsuit, disagrees with the advice you get once you start a session on the phone, which is to lock the screen. Not very impressive. AND, their email address for help does not work. I guess this is what you get for free, but it sucks as the app worked wonderfully for me for the past few months. And it is being promoted by local hotshot Michael MacDonald and was extensively used in the recent BAKL event here. Gonna be lots of pissed off users.

[pmania]

Did you update already to iOS 15.3 and watch the YT video from surfr ? 15.3 came out recently it is only a security update but what I read about it a nasty one therefor you want that update! I recommend fixing the surfr app maybe first but if you are still on 14 not! Let me check on iPhone X I need to do it again I will try to make quickly a video how i did it the last time. if it still works I also noticed it ofcourse on the water, I also have Android.

So every iOS update you have to do it again, or you only get the pop up message again or both!

I done it already

You need to press home button 3 times pretty very QUICKLY on Iphone 7 you still have a physical home button I think, you can check all phone's on www.gsmarena.com btw!




Tested jump height 1.9 meter!!!!!!!!!

[Hugh2]

Thanks! I might have figured it out, will see if it works today.

[Hugh2]

Okay, it worked today, just have to do the thrice pressing of the home button and then ignore the suggestion to lock the phone and turn the screen off. It's a shame because with the screen on all the time the battery runs down fast. But it worked. This is an old iPhone7 and the battery is not the greatest, just have to start with it at 100% and it was down to 30% at the end.

[DonaldM]

I had the same battery problem in a pretty new XR. Turning down the screen brightness helps a lot. But makes it hard to see in sunlight. I try to balance it a little and start surfr from inside the car where it's darker. Real pain in the @ss.

BTW, this is iOS messing with the app, with new updates it again restricts apps from working in the background/with screen off (has to do with apples efforts to save battery). Guess they need to find a workaround that's more user friendly again. Will probably take some time before this annoyance is fixed.

[highflyLuke]

Hi everyone,

I have been talking to the Surfr boys and they have told me the following.

Due to the iOS 15 release Surfr now must run Guided Access because otherwise you wont be able to record anything with an iPhone. If you wont run Guided Access the iOS 15 will kill the app after 5 minutes of recording due to new battery limitations. This is something Surfr doesn't want to do at all because this only causing a lot of issues with users!

Regards the battery drainage. Due to Guided Access the screen stays turned with the next release (coming out one of these days) the screen will be fully dimmed when turning on Guided Access.

Surfr keeps on searching for a better work around but at this stage iOS 15 is limiting the possibilities. All iPhone users will be updated soon via email regards work arounds etc.

[pmania]

This is only in wet suit mode on iOS, ah seems like it!
Do you only use it to have your jump heights spoken out and for the whole session ofcourse it is a irritating act to must do every time. What about buying a xiamo mi wrist band, they announced through iG that it works with surfr. It starts from $20/euro20 but the 7 comes out this year pretty soon I hope! Or just get your hands on a mount to mount an iphone on your board.