Support

Answers to common questions. Still stuck? Get in touch and we’ll help.

Getting started

How do I identify something?

Open DiveDex, point the camera, and centre the creature in the on-screen box. The identification appears as a card at the bottom — tap it to read more. For the clearest result, get a little closer and hold steady.

Does it really work offline?

Yes. After a one-time download of the species model and reef catalogue on first launch (best on Wi-Fi), identification runs entirely on your phone — no signal needed. Add more life with free species packs whenever you’re online.

Which devices are supported?

iPhone on iOS 16 or later.

Accuracy & species

How accurate is it?

DiveDex uses the open BioCLIP model to suggest the most likely species. It’s a strong starting point, but it can be wrong — treat every ID as a suggestion to confirm, not a certainty. When you’re online, use “Check on iNaturalist” to see whether a species is actually recorded near your dive site.

It identified something dangerous — is that reliable?

Never use DiveDex for safety decisions. It can and does mis-identify species, including venomous ones. Do not use it to decide whether an animal is safe to touch, handle, or eat.

Can I add more species?

Yes — open Settings → Species packs and download the groups you want (sharks & rays, nudibranchs, corals, freshwater and more). Only what you choose is downloaded.

Photos, dives & sharing

Where are my photos saved?

Saved shots go to your photo library and to an in-app gallery (Captures) you can browse offline and revisit any time. Turn on “Save iNaturalist original” to also keep a clean, geotagged copy ready to submit.

How do I contribute to iNaturalist?

Open a capture, tap “Share to iNaturalist” (the iNaturalist app must be installed), and it opens a new observation pre-filled with the date and location. Confirm the species and submit — your verified sightings help build open biodiversity data.

Why is the location the surface, not my depth?

GPS doesn’t work underwater, so DiveDex uses your most recent surface fix (your entry point). You can Pin that location so every shot on the dive uses it, and Renew it at the surface whenever you like.

Privacy

What data do you collect?

None. DiveDex has no account, no ads, and no analytics; identification is on-device and nothing is uploaded unless you choose to share. See the Privacy Policy.

Contact

Questions, bugs, or a species that’s consistently mis-identified? Reach out via donarundas.com.