Point your phone, follow the arrow, to the Moon or the Sun.
Pointer is free and has no ads. The sky and your parked car need no account. If something isn't working, here are the usual fixes. Still stuck? Email privacy@hochly.com.
The arrow spins or points the wrong way.
Your compass needs calibrating. Wave the phone in a slow figure-8 a couple of times, away from metal objects, magnets, and phone cases with magnets. The arrow settles within a few seconds.
The arrow is pointing down / says it's below the horizon.
That's correct, not a bug. When the Moon or Sun is on the other side of the Earth from you, the arrow tilts down to point straight through the planet toward it.
It asked for my location. Why?
In sky mode and for your parked car, Pointer uses your location on your device to work out where things are from where you stand. In those modes it is never sent anywhere (if you pick the Map background, the map provider sees the area it shows). In friend mode, your location goes to the one friend you are pointing with, only during a session you both said yes to. See our Privacy Policy.
Do I need an account?
Not for the sky or your parked car: just open the app and point. Friend mode asks you to sign in, with Apple, Google, or a one-time code sent to your email. There is no password and no phone number. Your friends see only the name you choose, never your email address.
How does friend mode work?
Send a friend an invite link or QR code. Once you are friends, one of you taps Point and the other taps Point back, and each phone points at the other. Either of you can end the session at any time, and it ends by itself after an hour. Friend mode is not available in the EU, EEA, UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man; there Pointer works in sky mode only.
How do I delete my account?
In the app, open Account and tap Delete my account. Or email us, without the app: Delete your account explains what to send and what is deleted.
Does it work offline?
Sky mode does. All the astronomy is computed on your device, so it keeps working with no signal. The space station needs a connection now and then to download its orbit, and friend mode needs a connection.
Directions are estimates from your phone's sensors and can be off. Pointer is not for navigation or emergencies. Never use it while driving.
If you think someone is using Pointer to track you without your consent, see Reporting misuse in the Terms of Service, or email abuse@hochly.com.
Email privacy@hochly.com and we'll get back to you.