Subsurface-mobile is an extension of Subsurface that runs on laptop and tabletop computers. It runs on Android smartphone and tablet devices and is a tool for viewing or sharing dive information at dive sites. It also allows the gathering of GPS locations where dives are performed.

While Subsurface-mobile allows one to enter and save dive information using an Android device, users of Subsurface-mobile typically use the mobile app as an extension of the laptop/desktop version of Subsurface. This allows the storage of dive logs on the Internet and which can be shared by the Android version as well as the desktop version. While the desktop version of Subsurface shows much more detailed information for each dive, the mobile version allows one to have a more accessible dive log on a dive trip, useful for proving dive experience to dive shops or to review previous dives. Subsurface-mobile allows one to:

These items are discussed in greater detail in the following text.

Install Subsurface-mobile from the Google Play Store. Search for Subsurface-mobile and install it.

Upon starting Subsurface-mobile for the first time, a Subsurface splash screen is shown while the program loads. On some devices this may take several seconds. After loading, the landing screen appears (see image on left, below). There are three options.

Since Subsurface is largely dependent on a dive log saved on the Internet, select the top option "Connect to Cloudstorage" and enter an email address and password for access to the Subsurface Internet storage server. If you do not have credentials to log in, this is obtained through the desktop version of Subsurface. When entering a password, it is possible to check a checkbox that enables the text of the password to be shown. Checking the check box labelled "Remember" allows Susburface-mobile to keep the credentials for subsequent logins (see image on right, above). Having entered the credentials, tap "Save". Subsurface-mobile attempts to download the existing dive log from the Internet server. Appropriate messages are shown onscreen. Finally a list of dives are shown (image on left, below).

For the beta release, do not choose the options "Transfer from dive computer" or "Add dive manually"

Once the dive list has been downloaded from the Internet, Subsurface-mobile keeps a local copy on the Android device. This means that, if there is no Internet connection at a dive site, one can still access the local copy and view and manipulate dive information. If there is Internet connectivity, Subsurface-mobile accesses the Internet-based dive log to verify that the local copy is still the same as the Internet-stored copy. If not, the local copy is synchronised with the version on the Internet.

At the bottom of of most Subsurface-mobile screens is a round button that provides information and enables several actions. The Action Button often has one or more triangular arrow points. Arrows alongside the Action Button indicate drag movements that are available by dragging the Action Button. Arrows indicate that one or more Action Screens are available(i.e. menus that become visible as side panels) On the other hand icons inside the Action Button indicate specific actions that can be performed by tapping the button. Examples of different formats of the Action Button are presented in the images below:

Most of the actions of Subsurface-mobile center around the dives on the dive list. One can scroll up and down the dive list. Tapping a dive on the list brings up a display of Details View for that dive. This includes the dive profile as well as additional information and notes (see image on right, below).

One can view other dives by swiping the Details view to the right (for the previous dive) or to the left (following dive).

At the bottom of the screen an Action Button allows aditional actions with respect to a dive that is being shown. In the details screen (image on right, above) the action button shows a pencil. Tapping the button brings up a panel with edit boxes that allows one to change the existing dive information, e.g. adding text to the dive notes or changing the names or values of some of the information (see image below). It may be necessary to scroll the window to access all the information. At the bottom of the edit screen is a "Save" button. Tap this to save the new information. Having saved the data, the dive list screen is shown. To cancel any edits, tap the Action Button.

A central part of Subsurface-mobile is the ability to store the dive log on the Internet. This provides security against loss or damage to the dive information caintained in a local copy of the dive log. This ability is accessed throug the Action Panel. Drag the Action Button to the right. (alternatively tap the Menu button at the top left of the Android screen). This brings up the Action Panel (image on left, below). Tap the option "Manage dives" (image below in middle).

The fact that most smartphones have GPS facilities allows one to record the locations of dives. One can take the smartphone on the dive boat during a dive and locations will be automatically recorded at regular intervals.

One can save the collected GPS data on the Internet by selecting "Upload GPS Data" from the GPS submanu (Image on left, below).