Advanced guide —
go further with TAK Can

Connect to a TAK server

TAK Can supports any standard TAK server (FreeTAKServer, TAK Server, WinTAK Server) as well as OpenTAKServer and CloudTAK. Once connected, your position broadcasts to all other users on the same server.

• Add Server — enter the hostname or IP, port (usually 8087 for TCP or 8443 for TLS), and select the protocol.
• Server List — manage multiple servers; tap one to make it active.
• Connection status — shown in the top bar of the main screen. Green = connected and broadcasting.
• Reconnect automatically — TAK Can reconnects on app resume and network changes.

Connect to OpenTAKServer or CloudTAK

OpenTAKServer and CloudTAK use session-based authentication rather than a raw TCP connection. TAK Can has a dedicated connection screen that handles the full OAuth-style login and mTLS handshake.

• Username & password — used for the initial session token exchange.
• mTLS certificate — once logged in, TAK Can downloads and stores your client certificate in the iOS Keychain for all subsequent connections.
• Auto-renewal — expired tokens are renewed silently in the background.
• Certificate enrollment — if your server uses CA-issued client certs, TAK Can can enroll automatically after login.

Peer-to-peer mesh — no internet required

TAK Can's mesh networking uses Apple's Multipeer Connectivity framework over Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth. No router, hotspot, or server needed — just devices near each other.

• Enable Mesh — toggle on. TAK Can immediately begins advertising and scanning for nearby peers.
• Pre-Shared Key (PSK) — all devices in the same mesh must use the same PSK. This acts as the session identifier and prevents accidental cross-team connections.
• Peer discovery — peers appear in the Server / Mesh → Contacts list within seconds of enabling, no pairing required.
• Range — roughly 30–60 m over Bluetooth, up to 300 m on Wi-Fi Direct in open terrain. Obstacles reduce this significantly.

Join channels and send group messages

Channels are named broadcast groups on the server. Position updates and chat messages are scoped to the channels you're subscribed to, so different teams can share the same server without seeing each other's traffic.

• Subscribe / unsubscribe — tap a channel to toggle membership. Unsubscribed channels are invisible on your map.
• Default channel — most servers have a default channel that all users join automatically.
• Channel CoT filtering — markers from other channels don't appear on your map unless you're subscribed.

• Group chat — messages broadcast to all subscribers of the current channel.
• Direct message — tap a contact, then use the Chat action in the radial menu or detail sheet.
• Chat history — retained locally. Export via ⋯ › Export & Share › Chat Log.

Import and share TAK data packages

Data packages are .zip files containing CoT data, KML overlays, iconsets, and other TAK content. They're the standard way to hand off a situational picture between TAK devices without a live server connection.

• TAK Data Package (.zip) — exports all contacts, markers, shapes, and chat history. Importable by ATAK, WinTAK, and other TAK Can devices.
• KML Tracks (.kml) — movement history for all contacts. Open in Google Earth or any GIS tool.
• CSV Contacts (.csv) — last-known position for all contacts with timestamp.
• AirDrop import — share a .zip or .dp file to a nearby device. TAK Can registers as a handler for these file types.

• Server sync — when connected, packages uploaded to the server are available to all connected clients.
• Mission packages — pre-loaded scenario data (waypoints, ROIs, boundaries) distributed as a package before an operation.

Apple Watch — vitals, compass, and emergency

The TAK Can Watch app pairs automatically via WCSession. It broadcasts live biometric data as CoT events every 30 seconds, and provides quick access to chat and emergency functions without touching your phone.

• Vitals broadcast — live heart rate (BPM) and blood oxygen (SpO₂) from Watch sensors, sent as CoT every 30 s. Teammates can see this in the Health radial menu item.
• Compass heading — real-time magnetic heading from the Watch gyroscope, visible as a complication or in the app.
• GPS coordinates — displayed on Watch face for quick reference without pulling out your phone.
• Contact list — see all active contacts and their last-seen time on the Watch.
• Emergency — one-tap emergency broadcast from the Watch. Sends the same emergency CoT event as the phone emergency panel.
• Quick chat — send pre-configured quick messages from the Watch to the active channel.

Overlay Manager — control what's on your map

The Overlay Manager is the central dashboard for everything visible on the map. Toggle categories on and off, drill into details, and manage imported content — all in one place.

• Team — all contacts (CoT type "a-"). Shows count; tap to hide/show individual contacts.
• Markers — dropped points and imported waypoints. Delete individually or clear all.
• Data Packages — content from imported .zip packages. Disable a package to remove its markers without deleting it.
• Shapes — polygons, lines, and circles drawn on the map or imported from KML.
• Video — contacts with a video stream URL. Open the player from here.
• Feeds — data sync missions downloaded from the server.
• Image Overlay (KML) — georeferenced image overlays. Toggle visibility per file.
• Traffic Cameras — per-province toggles (ON / AB / BC / QC).
• Weather Radar — switch between ECCC GeoMet, RainViewer, and OpenWeatherMap. Adjust opacity.
• Weather Stations (PWS) — personal weather stations via Weather Company API (optional paid key).
• Alerts — Alert Ready events. Tap an alert to see full CAP message.
• Channels — view which channel each contact belongs to.