Answers to common questions. Still stuck? Email hello@theheroeslab.com.
PeopleAtlas (called NetworkMap during the beta).
What does PeopleAtlas do?
PeopleAtlas puts the people you already know on a world map, using the contacts on your iPhone. Pick a country, or use Near Me or Travel, to see who you know there. There's no sign-up, and your contacts don't need to install anything.
Why does it need access to my Contacts?
Your contacts are what the map is made of. PeopleAtlas reads names, phone numbers, email addresses and postal addresses to work out roughly where each person is. If you share only some contacts with the app, only those appear. You can change access at any time in iOS Settings › PeopleAtlas (listed as NetworkMap in the current beta) › Contacts.
Does my data leave my phone?
Your contacts are never sent to us. PeopleAtlas has no account and no server. To place people on the map, only a city name and a country are sent to Apple's map service; map search and your location (if you allow it) are also looked up with Apple. Details are in the Privacy Policy.
Why is someone shown at a country's capital?
When a contact has no city on their address, PeopleAtlas uses the country from their address or their phone number's country code and places them at that country's capital, marked "≈ approximate". To move them, add a city to their address in the Contacts app, then sync again.
Why are some contacts missing from the map?
- No location hint. A contact with no address and no phone number the app can link to a country can't be placed. They appear in the Contacts tab as "Not on map". Saving numbers in international format (for example +44…) helps.
- Still locating. Apple limits how quickly places can be looked up, so the first sync of a large address book can take a while. People appear on the map as they're located. If you're offline or Apple asks the app to slow down, PeopleAtlas finishes the rest on a later sync.
How do I re-sync my contacts?
Open the Contacts tab and tap Sync, or pull down on the list. To try one person again, swipe right on their name and tap "Find on map".
How do I delete my data?
Delete the app. Everything PeopleAtlas stores lives only on your iPhone, so deleting the app removes it all. Your iPhone Contacts are never changed by PeopleAtlas.
What do I need?
An iPhone running iOS 17 or later.
Contact us
Questions, bugs or ideas: hello@theheroeslab.com. We read every message.