Video Streaming
TAKAware Can supports both receiving and broadcasting live video streams on the TAK network.
Receiving Streams
When another TAK client broadcasts a video feed, a notification banner appears on your map. Tap it to open the video player and watch the live stream.
Broadcasting Streams
Stream your device camera to an RTMP server and announce the playback URL to all connected TAK servers simultaneously. Other TAK clients (ATAK, WinTAK, TAKAware Can) can tune in automatically.
Configure streaming under Settings → Video Streaming:
- Stream Alias — friendly name shown to other TAK clients
- RTMP Push URL — your RTMP ingest server address
- Stream Key — path appended to the RTMP URL
- RTSP Playback URL — the URL broadcast to peers for viewing
While streaming, the camera toolbar icon turns red with a live indicator. The stream sheet provides controls to flip the camera, start/stop streaming, and mute/unmute the microphone.
Apple Watch Companion
The TAKAware Apple Watch companion extends tactical awareness to your wrist. The watch acts as a display and quick-input terminal — all network operations flow through your iPhone.
Vital Signs Broadcast
Automatically reads heart rate, blood oxygen (SpO2), step count, and calories from HealthKit and broadcasts them to your team via CoT extensions. Other TAK clients can see your vitals in real time.
Chat & Messaging
Read and reply to chat messages directly from your wrist. Supports group channels and direct messages.
Compass
A compass display on the watch face shows your heading, useful for quick orientation in the field.
Emergency Beacon
Trigger an emergency alert from your watch that broadcasts to all connected TAK servers. Designed for reliability — operator safety is the top priority.
Go-To Location & Navigation
Tap the globe button on the map to open the coordinate entry sheet. Enter a destination in any of six supported formats:
- DMS — Degrees Minutes Seconds
- DDM — Degrees Decimal Minutes
- MGRS — Military Grid Reference System
- Decimal — Decimal Degrees
- UTM — Universal Transverse Mercator
- Address — Free-text with autocomplete
Once a valid coordinate is resolved, you can either centre the map on the location or drop a CoT marker. Choosing Go starts turn-by-turn navigation with a route overlay and voice guidance.
Multi-Server Support
Store multiple TAK server configurations and switch between them with a single tap. Credentials and client certificates are stored securely per server in the device Keychain.
- Add servers via Certificate Enrollment, Data Package import, or manual configuration
- Status indicators show connection state at a glance (connected, disconnected, inactive)
- Switching servers triggers an automatic reconnect
- Existing single-server installs are migrated automatically on upgrade
Situational Awareness Map
- Full MIL-STD-2525 symbology for CoT markers
- Filter by NATO affiliation and team colour
- KML and overlay import
- WMS map source support
- Offline tile caching with download UI
- File attachments on markers
- Data package export with marker selection
TAK Server Connectivity
- Connect via Certificate Enrollment or Data Package
- DataSync mission support
- Channels and group management
- UDP multicast messaging
- Constant and dynamic location reporting strategies
- Persistent contact book with direct and group messaging