The TomTom Bandit’s magic was "Shift" – the ability to overlay GPS speed, altitude, and G-force data onto your video. In 2021, the open-source community stepped up.
Gyroflow is a free, open-source application for Windows, Mac, and Linux that reads the gyroscope metadata inside TomTom Bandit MP4 files. It is the only legitimate software successor to the Bandit ecosystem.
Before we look at alternatives, it is important to understand why the official app is no longer viable. TomTom stopped updating the software. Apple’s iOS 14/15 and Android 11/12 introduced strict privacy changes regarding local network access and location permissions. The aging Bandit app was not coded to request these permissions correctly. Consequently, your phone simply refuses to "see" the camera’s Wi-Fi signal. tomtom bandit app alternative 2021
The hardest feature to replace is the G-force meter, altitude graph, and speedometer that the Bandit app overlayed onto your video. In 2021, a third-party solution exists: Garmin Virb Edit.
Garmin’s software (free for PC/Mac) was designed for Garmin cameras, but it can read the metadata embedded inside TomTom Bandit MP4 files. The TomTom Bandit’s magic was "Shift" – the
How to use Virb Edit with your TomTom Bandit:
Verdict: This is the best alternative to the original TomTom Bandit app for 2021. It offers superior gauge customization and runs smoothly on Windows 10 and macOS Big Sur/Monterey. Verdict: This is the best alternative to the
If you are desperate for the original app experience on Android and cannot use the SD card method, you can try side-loading.
Warning: This app is no longer supported and may crash on Android 12.
| Feature | TomTom Bandit App (2021) | GoPro Quik | Insta360 App | USB + Native Photos | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Connectivity | Broken/Buggy (Legacy) | Excellent (Wi-Fi 5) | Excellent (Wi-Fi 5) | Wired (Reliable) | | Status | Discontinued/Removed | Active Development | Active Development | N/A | | Editing | "Shake-to-Edit" (Fun) | Auto-Edit/Music Sync | Reframe/Auto-Edit | Manual (External Apps) | | Future Proofing | None | High | High | High (as long as USB works) |
Let’s be realistic. If you rely on smartphone connectivity for every shoot, the TomTom Bandit is becoming a liability. The best "app alternative" might be switching hardware. In 2021, the following cameras offer the Bandit experience with working apps: