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Guide to AR Tours demo app

  1. Getting started

Three bladed blue and white propeller on a blue and white square

Download the TestFlight app

To access the AR Tours beta demo app, you must first download the TestFight app on the iPhone you plan to use to view the AR Tours app.

Once the TestFlight app is on your iPhone, open the invitation link you have been sent via email on the same iPhone. Get in touch if you don’t have the link.

Select ‘Install’ and then ‘Open’ when prompted.

Stylized black and white illustration of a cat's face on a square card or sticker with rounded corners. The cat has prominent eyes, ears, and a symmetrical face pattern.

Give AR Tours permission to use Bluetooth, then select ‘Next’ and ‘Start Testing’ – and that is you done :)

The AR Tours demo app, which has a cat face icon, is now on your device. You can access it anytime.

Smartphone screen displaying welcome message for an augmented reality tours app with decorative cloud and plant illustrations, and a prominent 'Get started' button.
Smartphone screen displaying the app 'AR Tours' with a pop-up requesting Bluetooth access, showing 'OK' and 'Don't Allow' options, and a button labeled 'Enter' below.

Android phone users

Sorry Android phone users, the AR Tours demo app is currently only available for use on iPhones.

Mobile phone screen displaying an app called 'AR Tours' with a black-and-white cat face logo and a prominent 'Enter' button. The app is by Flo-culture.

2. Use trigger images to activate AR experiences

You need two devices to test this triggering feature. The mobile device you are using to view the AR Tours demo app and another device to view this web page.

Recommendation

  • Once you are familiar with the process please use the trigger images in the Play with AR page. It is less cluttered and works better. Alternatively go to 3.Use rewards in Collections to activate AR experiences, below.

Smartphone screen displaying instructions for activating an augmented reality (AR) feature, with a 'Get started' button, decorative black and white floral and cloud illustrations, and options at the bottom menu including 'AR Tours', 'Collections', 'Profile', 'Enable AR', and 'More'.
Smartphone screen displaying an augmented reality app interface with a black and white decorative background, showing a menu at the bottom with options for AR Tours, Collections, Profile, Enable AR, and More. The AR Tours section is highlighted with an example tour called Mythquest, which invites users to visit The Great North Museum, Hancock to play.

Open your AR Tours demo app and select the ‘Enable AR’ tab to get started.

Read the Get ready instructions then tap ‘Get started’.

A smartphone screen displaying an augmented reality warning message with cloud and wind illustrations, advising to be aware of surroundings and supervise children, with an 'Okay' button below. The background shows a room with shelves, files, and plants.
iPhone screen displaying a notification dialogue box from 'ARTours' requesting camera access with options to 'Don't Allow' or 'OK'.

To work you need to give AR Tours permission to access your camera.

Acknowledge the safety message.

Hold your phone up as if you are going to take a photo of the dragon or frog below.

The character in the image will spring to life!

Tip tips

  • Try and only get one image in the camera view, otherwise they characters wil flight for your attention, not a great look.

  • If you can’t find the character, but can hear the music they are just off screen, search about or tap the back button and start again.

Access more AR trigger images

Learn how to take great photos with AR characters

A smartphone screen displaying an AR Tours app with a decorative background styled like traditional Asian art and a menu bar at the bottom containing options for AR Tours, Collections, Profile, Enable AR, and More.

3. Use rewards in Collections to activate AR experiences

Logo of a dragonfly and the word 'Collections' beneath it.

Select the ‘Collections’ tab to get started.

Smartphone screen displaying an app with a nature-inspired background, showing a list of collections including Mythquest and AR Tours, with a loading indicator in the shape of a red and white circle. Navigation icons at the bottom for AR Tours, Collections, Profile, Enable AR, and More.

Select AR Tours. *

* You need to visit the Great North Museum, Hancock, Newcastle to play with Mythquest rewards.

We have uploaded six AR rewards in the Collections area that you can play with.

Digital screen displaying a mobile app with a congratulatory message for unlocking a prison spell, featuring a blue butterfly, an 'Enable AR' button, and silhouettes of a warrior and archer at the bottom.
Smartphone screen displaying an app interface with a black and white nature-themed background, collection menu, and six hexagon icons featuring a butterfly, crab, black cat, dragon, frog, and an unknown character.

Select Enable AR

Select a reward.

Mobile phone screen displaying a message about playing with augmented reality. The message includes instructions on setting up AR character photos, holding the phone as if to take a selfie, and a button labeled 'Okay'.

Acknowledge the safety message.

Smartphone screen displaying a butterfly sticker and a camera viewfinder with a progress indicator.

Use white button to take a photo.

Close-up of a smartphone screen with a butterfly sticker and cat icon on a digital workspace. Showed at 09:01 with battery at 58%, with app icons at the bottom.

Select Retake, Tick or Share.

Access to you photos

If you select the ‘Tick’ you will be asked to give AR Tours access to your photos so any you take in the app can be saved on your phone.

Learn how to take great photos with AR charecters

4. Use AR face filters to create a unique player profiles

Icon of a wizard's hat with a star, above the word 'Profile'.
Smartphone screen showing an augmented reality app interface for AR Tours with options at the bottom for AR Tours, Collections, Profile, Enable AR, and More, with a background of black clouds and decorative swirling elements.

Face filter decorations are designed to reflect the overall look and feel of individual digital tours.

Select ‘Profile’ tab to get started.

Smartphone screen showing an edit profile page with a message explaining how to edit a blank profile image, and a navigation menu at the bottom with icons for AR Tours, Collections, Profile, Enable AR, and More.

Follow instructions to create your player profile.

A selfie photo of a woman with sunglasses that have a butterfly filter applied, showing purple butterflies on her glasses and head, using a smartphone camera app with various filters at the bottom like hats, glasses, beards, and magic.
Smartphone screen displaying a profile editing interface with instructions, two circular icons at the bottom for drawing and adding a profile picture, and a blue 'Save' button.

Use the pen icon to create your name and head icon to create your image.

Pick a decoration type and then swipe left and right to select a decoration that suits!

Use white button to fix and then save on the next screen.

Go to Blog about AR face filters