⚠️ This app requires
Google Chrome
for the compass sensor to work.
Please open this page in Chrome.
MIT License
Copyright © 2026 TO INFINITY, PEOPLE OF PLETTENBERG BAY
Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
By accessing and using this Return Compass web application ("the App"), you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. If you do not agree, you must not use this App.
This App is a supplementary navigation aid only. It uses your device's built-in magnetic compass sensor to assist a visually impaired person in returning to a known starting point. It does not use GPS.
THIS APP IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
CRITICAL WARNING: The developers, operators, and distributors of this App shall NOT be held liable for:
By using this App, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless all parties associated with this App from any claims arising from its use.
This App complies with South African legislation including:
This App is designed to be set up by a sighted companion (such as a nurse, carer, or family member) on behalf of a visually impaired user. The sighted companion accepts these terms on behalf of all parties involved in each use session.
This App requires Google Chrome on Android or iOS. Other browsers do not provide reliable access to the device compass sensor. The developer accepts no liability for malfunction caused by use in an unsupported browser.
IN A REAL EMERGENCY:
Data Collection:
By using this App, you acknowledge that:
This App does not provide professional medical, mobility, or navigation advice. Consult a qualified orientation and mobility specialist for formal training and guidance.
You expressly assume all risks associated with using this App, including but not limited to risks of equipment failure, navigational errors, magnetic interference, personal injury, and property damage.
These terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of South African courts.
These terms may be updated without notice. Continued use of the App constitutes acceptance of any modifications.
This App is provided as-is with no guarantee of support or maintenance. Use at your own risk.
Primary use case. A nurse or carer faces the user in the correct direction, taps once. The user walks out. When ready to return, taps again and rotates until the phone beeps. Audio guides the entire journey.
Walk into the bush, tap to store your bearing, walk back without ever looking at a map. Works offline, no signal needed.
Park the car, walk along the beach, tap to store. Return to the exact parking spot without guessing which direction you came from.
Walk or run an out-and-back route in the dark. No need to look at the screen — just listen for the beep when facing home.
Walk into the field before dawn, tap to store. Find your way back to the vehicle in the dark without torchlight navigation.
Carer sets the direction. The person can attempt to find their way back with audio guidance. Simple one-tap operation.
Walk from your Airbnb or hotel to a restaurant or bar, tap to store. Find your way back later without fumbling with Google Maps.
Parent sets the direction from school or a friend's house toward home. Child rotates phone until it beeps and walks.
A searcher walks a straight line into an area, taps to store. Can return to base or the vehicle on a precise reciprocal bearing.
Paddle out from shore on a bearing, tap to store. Return to the exact launch point even in fog or fading light.
No internet. No GPS. No account. No battery drain.
One file. Works offline. Free forever.
The compass has existed for 2000 years.
This is just a talking compass with a memory.