Support

Need help?

Email me directly at umbra@deepsky3d.net.
I usually reply within 48h (FR / EN).

App tour

A quick visual tour of Umbra before the FAQ.

Map · Totality band & site selection
Map · Totality band & site selection

Map: pick your observation site on the totality band.

Eclipse · Contacts C1 to C4
Eclipse · Contacts C1 to C4

Eclipse: exact contact times for your selected site.

Sky · 3D simulation
Sky · 3D simulation

Sky: live 3D simulation with altitude-azimuth grid.

Photos · Shooting plan
Photos · Shooting plan

Photos: ISO, aperture and shutter speed for each phase.

Photos live · Auto-scroll
Photos live · Auto-scroll

Photos live: current step highlighted, hands-free during totality.

Field · Countdown & filter alert
Field · Countdown & filter alert

Field: large countdown to next phase with filter on/off alert.

Languages · French / English / Spanish
Languages · French / English / Spanish

Three languages with premium voices matched to your system.

Frequently asked questions

The Dynamic Island doesn't show up

The Dynamic Island is a hardware feature exclusive to iPhone 14 Pro, 15, 15 Pro, 16 and 16 Pro. On other iPhones, Umbra displays the Live Activity on the lock screen only (which also works fine). Also check that Live Activities are allowed in Settings → Face ID & Passcode.

I don't hear the voice cues

Check that your iPhone isn't on silent (side switch). In Umbra: Settings → Voice & sounds → Voice cues enabled. For the best English voice quality, install a premium Siri voice via iOS Settings → Accessibility → Spoken Content → Voices → English.

My "Full Access" purchase isn't recognised on my other iPhone

Apple purchases are tied to your Apple ID. On the other device, open Umbra → Settings → the paywall sheet → "Restore purchase". You need to be signed in with the same Apple ID you used for the original purchase.

My city isn't in the hotspots list

The 57 preselected hotspots cover the main cities along the track. To observe from any other point, unlock "Full Access" (€1.99) and tap directly on the map, search an address, or enter coordinates manually.

Simulated times differ slightly from real times

Umbra computes contacts from NASA Besselian elements (F. Espenak catalog) with a typical precision of ±1 second for C1/C4 contacts and ±0.5 s for C2/C3. This precision is far beyond what a photographer can resolve in the field.

Simulation mode doesn't start

Settings → Simulation → Enable. Pick a simulated date/time (default: 90 s before C2 at Burgos 2026). Tap "→ C1" to start 5 minutes before first contact, or "→ C2 - 90s" to land just before totality.

How do I switch eclipses (2026 / 2027 / 2028)?

Settings → Eclipse → pick one from the list. The app instantly recomputes the totality band, local contacts and hotspots for the new date.

D-7 / D-2 / D-1 notifications aren't received

Check the authorization in iOS Settings → Notifications → Umbra → Allow. Notifications are scheduled locally when you select an observation site.

I want a new eclipse in the app (2030, 2033...)

Upcoming eclipses will be added via App Store updates. If you want a specific eclipse prioritised, tell me at umbra@deepsky3d.net.

Solar safety

⚠️ NEVER look at the sun without ISO 12312-2 certified solar filters, except during the few seconds of totality (between C2 and C3). Naked-eye observation outside of totality causes permanent, painless retinal damage that you won't feel until much later. Umbra tells you exactly when to remove the filter and when to put it back.

Report a bug

Email umbra@deepsky3d.net with: