SupplyScout User Guide

Complete guide to finding and reporting supplies

Home / User Guide

In This Guide

Finding Supplies

SupplyScout's primary purpose is helping you quickly locate the items you need. Here's how to find supplies efficiently.

Understanding Supply Status

Each store shows supply availability using emoji indicators that update in real-time based on community reports:

✅ In Stock: Item is currently available
⚠️ Limited: Item is available but running low
❌ Out of Stock: Item is currently unavailable
❓ Unknown: No recent reports for this item

Filter by Supply Type

The quickest way to find what you need is the filter bar at the top of the map screen.

1. Tap the Filter Dropdown

Located at the top of the map. This opens a list of supply categories.

2. Select a Category

Choose from categories like Ice, Propane, Gasoline, Water, Batteries, and more. The map will show only stores with reports for that supply.

3. View Filtered Results

Stores without reports for your selected supply are hidden, making it easy to find what you need at a glance.

Browse Nearby Stores

Without filtering, browse the map to see all nearby stores. Different pin colors represent different store types — tap the map legend in the bottom-right corner to see what each color means.

Reporting Supply Availability

SupplyScout is powered by community contributions. When you're at a store, help others by reporting what you see. This makes the entire community more informed.

How to Report Supplies

1. Find a Store

Browse or search for a store on the map and tap it to open the store detail view.

2. Tap "Supply"

In the store info card, tap the "Supply" button to open the reporting form.

3. Select Supply and Status

Choose a supply category and set its availability level: In Stock, Low, or Out of Stock.

4. Submit Your Report

Tap "Submit" to share your report with the community. Your report is immediately visible to other users.

Reporting Store Status

In addition to supply reports, you can report a store's operating status. Tap the "Status" button on any store's info card to report whether it's:

Report Quality and Accuracy

We appreciate accurate reports! Here's what helps:

Best Practices:
  • Report what you personally observed, not second-hand information
  • Report soon after visiting—recent reports are more valuable
  • You can report from outside the store if you saw items being stocked
  • Only mark items as "In Stock" if you actually saw them available

Verification System

To maintain data quality, SupplyScout uses a verification system:

Thanks & Consensus

SupplyScout uses a community validation system to build confidence in supply reports. When you see a report that matches what you observe, you can "thank" the reporter to strengthen that data.

How Thanks Work

Thanking a Report

When viewing a store's supply reports, tap the thumbs-up button on any report to confirm you saw the same thing. Each "thank" adds to the report's consensus score.

Consensus Score

The consensus gauge on each report shows how many people have confirmed it. Higher consensus means more reliable data. Reports with multiple confirmations are weighted more heavily in the system.

Time Window

You can thank reports that are less than 6 hours old. This keeps validations focused on fresh, relevant data.

Why Thank? Thanking reports helps the entire community. When multiple people confirm a report, others can trust that data more. It also rewards reporters who take the time to share accurate information.

My Activity

The My Activity screen lets you view, edit, and manage all your contributions to SupplyScout.

Accessing My Activity

Open the menu and tap "My Activity" to see your contribution history organized into three tabs:

Supply Reports

All the supply reports you've submitted, with timestamps and store names. Reports less than 12 hours old can be edited or deleted.

Status Reports

Store status reports (Open, Closed, etc.) you've submitted. Status reports less than 2 hours old can be deleted.

Store Submissions

Stores you've added to the map via long-press. See when you added each one.

Editing a Report

Tap any supply report in My Activity that's less than 12 hours old to edit its availability status or add notes. After 12 hours, reports become permanent to maintain data integrity.

Deleting a Report

If you submitted a report in error, tap the delete button within the edit window (12 hours for supply reports, 2 hours for status reports). Deleted reports are removed from the map immediately.

Using the Map

Basic Map Controls

Zoom In and Out

Pinch your screen with two fingers to zoom. You can also double-tap to zoom in to a specific location. As you zoom, the map adjusts to show more detailed store information.

Center on Your Location

Tap the location/target icon to automatically center the map on your current position. This is helpful if you get scrolled away from your area.

Store Information Popup

Tap any store to see a detailed popup with:

Adding a Store

Don't see a store on the map? You can add one! Long-press anywhere on the map to drop a pin and create a new store entry. Fill in the store name and type, and it becomes available for the whole community.

Map Legend

Tap the legend icon in the bottom-right corner of the map to see what each pin color represents. Different colors indicate different store types (grocery, hardware, gas station, pharmacy, etc.).

Store Clustering

In areas with many stores (like city centers), SupplyScout groups nearby pins into clusters to keep the map readable. Cluster pins show a number indicating how many stores are grouped together. Zoom in to break clusters apart and see individual stores.

Search Radius

Control how far the map looks for stores around your location. Open Settings and adjust the search radius slider:

A larger radius is useful during widespread disasters when nearby stores may be depleted.

Filtering the Map

Use the filter dropdown at the top of the map to show only stores with reports for a specific supply type. This is the fastest way to find what you need. Remove the filter to see all stores again.

Notifications

SupplyScout has two notification systems: push notifications (sent to your device) and an in-app notification center.

Push Notifications

Push notifications appear on your lock screen and notification shade, even when the app isn't open. Make sure you've enabled them in your device settings (Settings > Notifications > SupplyScout). You'll receive push notifications for:

In-App Notification Center

Tap the bell icon in the app to open the notification center. This shows a history of your recent notifications (up to 50) with color-coded icons:

Premium Alerts

Upgrade to Premium to unlock supply-specific alerts, preseason alerts, and advanced disaster notification preferences. See Premium Features for more details.

Managing Your Account

Access Your Settings

Tap the gear icon in the top-right corner of the map to access settings. From there, tap "Account Settings" for sensitive account operations.

Sign-In Methods

SupplyScout supports three sign-in methods:

Account Settings

Change Email

In Account Settings, tap "Change Email" to update your email address. You'll receive a confirmation link at the new address. Your old email remains active until the new one is confirmed.

Change Password

Tap "Change Password" to set a new password. You'll need to enter your current password first. We recommend using a strong, unique password.

Theme / Dark Mode

In Settings, choose your preferred appearance: Light, Dark, or System (follows your device setting). Your choice persists across sessions.

Search Radius

Adjust how far the map searches for stores. Free users can search up to 10 miles; Premium users up to 100 miles.

Privacy and Data

What Data We Collect

We collect your location (for map functionality), your report submissions, and basic device information. We never sell your data.

How We Use Your Data

Your data is used to improve SupplyScout and provide better supply information. See our Privacy Policy for complete details.

Export Your Data

In Account Settings, tap "Export My Data" to download a copy of all your SupplyScout data, including your reports, favorites, checklists, and account information.

Delete Your Account

In Account Settings, tap "Delete Account" to permanently remove your account. Your data is retained for a 30-day grace period in case you change your mind. After 30 days, all data is permanently and irreversibly deleted.

Getting Help

If you need assistance:

Community Support: The SupplyScout community includes experienced users and partner organizations who may be able to help with region-specific questions.