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Installing ATAK

Overview​

Covers installing the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) app on an Android device, granting it the permissions it needs to run in the field, then installing the AuthFlow plugin and logging in to the MCHMR TAK server (tak.mchmr.us) with a Tactical ID account. Do this before working through AuthFlow Configuration or the ATAK Software User Manual — those assume ATAK is already installed.

Prerequisites​

  • An Android device running Android 8.0 (Oreo) or later.
  • At least 750 MB of free storage.
  • An internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular) for the download.
  • A Tactical ID account (email and password) to log in with once AuthFlow is configured.

Steps​

Part 1: Installing ATAK​

Step 1: Scan the QR code to download the ATAK APK​

  1. On your Android device, open your camera and scan the QR code below. This downloads the ATAK app.

QR code for downloading the ATAK APK

The warning message shown below may appear — tap Download anyway to continue.

Chrome "File might be harmful" warning for the com.atakmap.app.civ APK, with Cancel and Download anyway options

Step 2: Open the file and tap Install​

  1. Find the file: Open your Files by Google app or your phone's file manager and look in the Downloads folder.
  2. Tap to open: Touch the com.atakmap.app.civ-1784305740.apk file name to start the setup process.

Downloads folder in the Files app showing the downloaded ATAK APK Searching for the My Files app to locate the downloaded APK

  1. Allow permissions: If prompted, go to Settings and turn on "Allow from this source" for that browser or file app.

Install unknown apps screen for My Files with the Allow permission toggle off "Permission required" dialog prompting to open Settings to allow installs from this source

  1. Confirm installation: Tap Install on the screen to finish adding the app to your phone.

Install unknown apps screen with Allow permission toggled on, and an "Install this app?" dialog for ATAK "App installed" dialog for ATAK with Done and Open options

Step 3: Read and accept the End User License Agreement​

  1. Tap Open (or find ATAK in your app drawer) to launch it. On first launch, ATAK shows its EULA. Scroll through it, check the acceptance box, and tap Accept & Continue — you can't proceed past this screen without accepting.
  2. Tap I Understand on the Permission Rationale screen.

EULA Acceptance dialog with I refuse, View EULA, and I agree options Permission Rationale dialog listing audio and photo/video access, with Override Permission Request and I understand options

Step 4: Grant permissions on first launch​

  1. Android prompts for location access, which ATAK needs for GPS positioning and mapping. Choose While using the app for normal use.
  2. You'll also see prompts for camera, microphone, nearby devices, notifications, and phone access. For full functionality, select While using the app or Allow for each prompt.

Allow ATAK to take pictures and record video? prompt with While using the app, Only this time, and Don't allow options Allow ATAK to access this device's location? prompt with Precise/Approximate and While using the app options Allow ATAK to record audio? prompt with While using the app, Only this time, and Don't allow options Allow ATAK to find, connect to, and determine the relative position of nearby devices? prompt with Allow and Don't allow options Allow ATAK to send you notifications? prompt with Allow and Don't allow options Allow ATAK to make and manage phone calls? prompt with Allow and Don't allow options

Step 5: Allow ATAK to access device location in the background​

  1. ATAK needs to use your location in the background — review the following prompts and tap I understand and OK.

"Use Your Location in the Background" explanation screen with an I understand button "Android 11+ Warning" screen explaining Chance 1: Click on 'Allow In Settings', with a location permission prompt and OK button

Step 6: Manually grant location access in the background​

If Step 5 didn't stick, set it manually:

  1. Navigate to ATAK → App info → Permissions → Location → Allow all the time.

ATAK App info screen showing Notifications, Permissions, and Screen time settings ATAK App permissions screen listing Camera, Location, Microphone, Nearby devices, Notifications, and Phone as Allowed Location permission screen with "Allow only while using the app" selected Location permission screen with "Allow all the time" selected

Step 7: Grant ATAK file system access​

  1. Tap I understand, then tap Allow permission, to let ATAK read and write the files it needs.

All files access screen for ATAK with the Allow permission toggle off "File System Access Changes" dialog explaining that ATAK requires file system access, with Cancel and I understand options

Step 8: Confirm the app loads to the main map​

  1. Once setup finishes, ATAK opens to its main screen and prompts you to set up your device. Tap Done.

ATAK Loading screen with an Auto Map Select On notification TAK Device Setup screen with Action Bar Experience, Callsign Identity, Data Package, Plugins, Import files, Quick Connect, Link EUD, and More Settings options, and a Done button

  1. You'll next be prompted to stop optimizing battery usage. Select OK for maximum functionality with ATAK.

"Disabling Battery Optimization" note explaining to select Yes or Allow when prompted, with an OK button "Stop optimizing battery usage?" dialog with Cancel and OK options

Part 2: Installing the AuthFlow plugin and logging in​

Step 1: Scan the QR code to download the AuthFlow plugin​

  1. On your Android device, open your camera and scan the QR code for the version of AuthFlow you need. This downloads the AuthFlow plugin required to log in to MCHMR.

QR code for downloading the AuthFlow plugin

The warning message shown below may appear — tap Download anyway to continue.

Chrome "File might be harmful" warning for the com.atakmap.android.authflow.plugin APK, with Cancel and Download anyway options

Step 2: Permission required notice​

  1. Once the file is downloaded, tap Open. A prompt appears requiring permission to continue — tap Settings.

"Permission required" dialog for Chrome, with Cancel and Settings options Chrome "File downloaded" notification with an Open link

  1. From the "Install unknown apps" screen, select Allow Permission and then tap Install or Update.

Install unknown apps screen for Chrome with the Allow permission toggle off Install unknown apps screen for Chrome with Allow permission toggled on, and an "Update this app?" dialog for Auth Flow

Step 3: Open the file and tap Install​

  1. A prompt appears recommending that you scan the app for security. Tap Scan App and then tap Install. The plugin has not finished installing until this step completes.

Google Play Protect "App scan recommended" dialog for Auth Flow, with Scan app and Don't install app options Google Play Protect "This app looks safe" dialog for Auth Flow, with Install and Don't install options "App updated" dialog for Auth Flow with a Done button

Step 4: Configuring the AuthFlow plugin​

  1. Open ATAK and navigate to Settings → Tool Preferences → Specific Tool Preferences → AuthFlow preferences → Select trust store. Select Trust all certs.

ATAK Tools radial menu with the Auth Flow button visible ATAK Settings / My Preferences list with Tool Preferences highlighted Tool Preferences menu with Package Management and Specific Tool Preferences options Specific Tool Preferences menu with AuthFlow Preferences listed alongside 9-line/5-line, Address Lookup, and Alert Preferences AuthFlow Preferences menu listing Select truststore, Client Id, Redirect URI, Scope, and Username claim Select truststore dialog with Let's Encrypt and DigiCert Only, System truststore, and Trust all certs options, Trust all certs selected

Step 5: Connecting to MCHMR and logging in​

  1. Enter tak.mchmr.us and tap Connect.

ATAK server connection field with tak.mchmr.us entered and a Connect button

  1. Log in using the credentials you set up on Tactical ID — the same email and password.

Tactical ID / IdentityHub login page at auth.mchmr.ai prompting for Email or Username Tactical ID login page prompting for Password, with a Continue button and a Trouble with CAC Registration link

Step 6: Registration complete​

  1. Upon login, you should see the "TAK Server registration succeeded" message. You can now use ATAK.

"Registration complete" dialog showing "TAK Server registration succeeded" with an OK button

Troubleshooting​

  • Android blocks the install ("your phone isn't allowed to install unknown apps from this source"): go to Settings and turn on Allow permission for the app you used to open the file (Files app or Chrome), then try again.
  • ATAK repeatedly asks for a permission it should already have: check under ATAK → App info → Permissions that each permission is set to Allow, and that Location is set to Allow all the time, not just "while using the app".
  • AuthFlow fails to connect or reports a certificate error: confirm Select truststore under AuthFlow preferences is set to Trust all certs.
  • Login to tak.mchmr.us fails: confirm you're using the same email and password you registered with on Tactical ID (auth.mchmr.ai) — not a different account.
  • No CAC / can't log in: use the "Trouble with CAC Registration" link on the Tactical ID login page, or ask your administrator about coalition/partner registration.