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SkySort User Guide
Take a photo of clouds and identify their type through advanced machine learning technology.
Table of Contents
1
Getting Started
How do I identify my first cloud?
Tap "Take Photo" from the home screen to capture a cloud image with your camera, or tap "Photos" to select an existing image from your photo library, or tap "Files" to import an image from your device storage. The app will automatically classify the cloud type and show you the results with a confidence score. Review the top 3 predictions. Tap "Save" to add it to your observation history.
What cloud types can the app identify?
SkySort can identify 12 different cloud types: Cumulus (fair weather clouds), Altocumulus (mid-level patches), Cirrus (high, wispy clouds), Stratocumulus (low, lumpy layers), Cirrocumulus (high, rippled clouds), Cumulonimbus (towering storm clouds), Contrail (aircraft trails), Stratus (low, uniform layers), Nimbostratus (dark, rain-producing), Altostratus (mid-level gray sheets), Cirrostratus (high, thin sheets), and Clear Sky.
What does the confidence score mean?
The confidence score (shown as a percentage) indicates how certain the machine learning model is about the classification. Higher percentages mean the model is more confident in its prediction. The app uses a default threshold of 65%—classifications below this threshold are marked as "Uncertain" but can still be saved.
2
Capturing and Importing
Can I import photos I've already taken?
Yes! You can import cloud photos from: Photos Library (the app will extract location data from the photo's EXIF metadata if available) or Files (import JPEG, HEIC, or PNG images from iCloud Drive or other file storage locations).
What image formats are supported?
SkySort supports JPEG (.jpg, .jpeg), HEIC (.heic, .heif), and PNG (.png) formats. Images must be a maximum file size of 30 MB, minimum dimension of 1024 pixels on the shortest side, and maximum dimension of 12,000 pixels.
Does the app save location data with my observations?
Yes, if you enable location services. Camera captures automatically save your current GPS location, photo imports extract location from EXIF data if available, and files imports can optionally use your current location. You can disable location saving entirely in Settings.
3
Understanding Classifications
What if the confidence is below the threshold?
If the top prediction is below your confidence threshold (default 65%), the app will mark the result as "Uncertain", still show you the top 3 predictions, allow you to save the observation as "Unknown" or manually select one of the predicted cloud types, and display a warning indicator. You can adjust the confidence threshold in Settings (range: 50%-90%).
Can I see multiple predictions?
Yes! Every classification shows the top 3 predictions with their confidence scores, even if only the top prediction meets your threshold. This helps you understand what the model detected and learn about similar cloud types.
4
Weather Data
Does the app capture weather conditions?
Yes! When you take a photo with the camera and have location enabled, SkySort automatically fetches current weather conditions from Apple Weather, including temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction, cloud cover percentage, visibility, UV index, and weather condition.
Why doesn't my imported photo have weather data?
Weather data is only captured for photos taken with the in-app camera at the time of capture. Photos imported from your library or files cannot have weather data added retroactively because the app doesn't know the exact time and conditions when the photo was originally taken.
Can I choose between Celsius and Fahrenheit?
Yes! Go to Settings → Units and select either Metric (Celsius, meters, hPa, m/s, km) or Imperial (Fahrenheit, feet, inHg, mph, miles). All data is stored in metric units internally—the unit preference only affects how data is displayed.
5
Managing Observations
How do I view my observation history?
Tap the "History" button in the top toolbar, or switch to the "Stats" tab and tap "View All". Your observations are listed with thumbnails, cloud type, date, and confidence scores.
Can I add notes to my observations?
Yes! When saving an observation, you can add notes (up to 1,000 characters), add custom tags for organization, describe weather conditions you observed, and note any special features like mammatus formations or virga.
Can I search my observations?
Yes! In the History view, use the search bar to find observations by cloud type, notes, or tags. Apply filters for date range, cloud type, confidence level, and location. Sort by date, confidence, or cloud type.
6
iCloud Sync
How does iCloud sync work?
When enabled, SkySort automatically syncs your observations across all your devices signed in with the same Apple ID. Observations sync via iCloud, images are uploaded to your private iCloud storage, changes made on one device appear on all devices, and deletions are propagated across devices.
What happens if I'm offline?
SkySort works offline! You can capture and classify clouds (ML runs on-device), save observations locally, and view your existing observations. When you reconnect, observations will automatically sync to iCloud.
7
Data Export
Can I export my observation data?
Yes! SkySort offers two export formats: CSV (spreadsheet format with all observation data) and PDF (formatted report with images and details). To export, open History, tap the menu (•••) button, select "Export CSV" or "Export PDF", choose your export options, and share via the system share sheet.
What export options are available?
When exporting, you can choose to include/exclude location data (redact GPS coordinates for privacy), include/exclude weather data, include/exclude notes, and include/exclude technical data like model version and device info.
8
Learning About Clouds
What is the Learn tab?
The Learn tab contains educational content including a Cloud Encyclopedia with detailed profiles of all 12 cloud types (scientific names, altitude ranges, formation processes, weather indicators, visual characteristics, and fun facts), a Glossary of meteorological terms and definitions, and Search functionality to find specific cloud types or terms quickly.
What do the altitude categories mean?
Clouds are grouped by altitude: High Clouds (above 20,000 ft) include Cirrus, Cirrocumulus, and Cirrostratus. Middle Clouds (6,500-20,000 ft) include Altocumulus and Altostratus. Low Clouds (below 6,500 ft) include Cumulus, Stratocumulus, Stratus, and Nimbostratus. Cumulonimbus has Vertical Development and can span all altitudes. Special categories include Contrails and Clear Sky.
9
Statistics
What statistics does the app track?
The Stats tab shows total observations, most common cloud type, average confidence, distribution chart breakdown by cloud type, and 30-day activity with daily observation counts for the last month.
How is observation quality determined?
Each observation is assigned a quality indicator based on confidence: Excellent (90-100%), Good (75-89%), Fair (65-74%), or Uncertain (<65%).
10
Troubleshooting
Why won't the camera work?
Ensure you've granted Camera permission in iOS Settings → SkySort → Camera. Restart the app. Check that your device's camera is functioning properly. Try importing a photo from your library instead.
Why is location data missing?
Location may be missing if Location Services are disabled for SkySort, you denied location permission, GPS signal was unavailable at capture time, the imported photo has no EXIF location data, or "Save Location" is disabled in Settings. Enable location: iOS Settings → SkySort → Location → While Using the App.
Observations aren't syncing across devices
Check that iCloud Sync is enabled in Settings on all devices, you're signed in to the same Apple ID on all devices, you have an active internet connection, you have available iCloud storage space, and iCloud Drive is enabled in iOS Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud.
11
Privacy and Security
What data does the app collect?
SkySort is privacy-first. The app only collects photos you explicitly capture or import, location data only if you grant permission and enable it, weather data only for camera captures with location, no analytics or usage tracking, and no data shared with third parties.
Is my data private?
Yes! All data is processed on-device (ML classification runs entirely on your iPhone/iPad), stored locally in your device's secure storage, synced privately using your private iCloud storage, not uploaded to external servers, and user-controlled (you choose what to save, export, and share).
Can I use the app without iCloud?
Yes! iCloud sync is completely optional. Disable "iCloud Sync" in Settings and all observations remain local to your device. You can still export data manually and no Apple ID is required for core functionality.
12
Technical Information
What iOS version is required?
iOS 17.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone and iPad. Optimized for modern devices (A12 chip or newer recommended).
Does the app work offline?
Yes! Core features work offline including capturing photos, classifying clouds (ML runs on-device), saving observations locally, viewing existing observations, and browsing educational content. Fetching weather data and syncing to iCloud require internet.