Broadcast your tour
with your phone.

Does the tour guide and tourists need internet access?

Yes — both the guide and guests need an active internet connection, either mobile data or Wi-Fi. As long as everyone is online, distance between guide and guests doesn't matter.

Are there any other costs?

TourCast itself is free during beta. Each guest will need their own smartphone and personal headphones — we recommend guests bring their own earbuds or headphones for the best experience. The guide can also improve audio quality significantly by upgrading their microphone setup (see below).

What microphone works best for the tour guide?

Your phone's built-in mic works fine to get started. To step up the experience:

• Shokz OpenComm2 — bone-conduction headset that sits in front of your ear, leaves ears open, and has a boom mic. Ideal for guides who need situational awareness.
• Røde Wireless ME — compact clip-on wireless microphone that pairs directly to your phone with no receiver needed.
• Lavalier microphones — any lapel/lav mic clipped to your collar puts the mic close to your mouth and away from wind noise.
• Deadcat windshields — the fluffy cover that fits over any microphone. Essential for outdoor tours to eliminate wind noise regardless of which mic you use.

How many guests can listen at the same time?

There is no known limit to the number of listeners. Whether you have 5 guests or 500, everyone on the tour link can tune in simultaneously.

What happens if a guest loses connection mid-tour?

TourCast will attempt to reconnect automatically. If that doesn't work, the guest can simply refresh the page and they'll be back in the tour within seconds.

Is there a delay between the guide speaking and guests hearing?

During beta, there is a slight delay as we run on self-hosted servers. We're actively working to reduce this. In practice it's short enough that most guests don't find it disruptive.

Does it work indoors — museums, churches, busy streets?

Yes. TourCast works anywhere guests have an internet connection — indoors, underground, or on a noisy street. Wi-Fi or mobile data both work.

Do guests need to create an account or download anything?

No. Every tour generates a unique access code that only the guide can share. Guests scan a QR code or tap a link — no account, no app download, nothing to install.

What happens if the guide's phone screen locks?

No problem. Both the guide and guests can lock their screens and put their phones in their pockets. As long as the microphone stays connected on the guide's end and guests keep their headphones on, the audio continues uninterrupted.

Can guests speak back to the guide?

Not currently — TourCast is one-way audio, guide to guests only. This keeps the experience simple and the audio clear. Two-way communication is not on the roadmap for beta.