How to track walks, runs, and bike rides on iPhone
See how SlothUp Map sessions record your route and active time, turn credited movement into in-app rewards, and keep detailed activity data on your iPhone.
Updated 23 September 2026SlothUp Map sessions let you intentionally record a walk, run, or bike ride. During an active session, the app shows your route, distance, time, pace or speed, steps where relevant, and the SlothUps earned from credited active minutes.
Unlike an all-day step counter, a Map session starts and ends when you choose. Every full minute of confirmed active movement earns one SlothUp. SlothUps are in-app rewards—not cash, gift cards, or a cryptocurrency—and App Shield remains optional.
Choose an activity and wait for GPS
Select walking, running, or cycling from the activity hub. SlothUp needs Precise Location to place you on the map and record the route. Starting after the GPS signal is ready helps the app distinguish your actual movement from temporary location drift.
- Choose the activity that matches how you plan to move.
- Start outdoors with a clear view of the sky when possible.
- Wait for the GPS-ready state before the countdown begins.
- Pause manually when you intentionally stop the session.
- Finish the session to save it locally and collect earned SlothUps.
How credited movement works
SlothUp combines location updates with Motion & Fitness activity to avoid rewarding GPS drift, vehicle travel, or time spent standing still. If movement cannot be confirmed, that period is not credited. A weak GPS signal or uncertain route section can therefore look different from confirmed movement without deleting the session.
Distance, pace, speed, and steps are estimates. GPS conditions, device placement, tunnels, dense buildings, and permission settings can affect them. SlothUp is designed as a movement and motivation app, not as a navigation or safety service.
Background and offline sessions
If you grant background location access, an active session can keep recording while your iPhone is locked or another app is open. Without that access, keep SlothUp visible while recording.
GPS can continue without an internet connection, but Apple Maps needs map data for the area on screen. A region that is not already available on the device may appear blank while offline. The session itself can still be finished and saved locally.
Your detailed route stays local
Recorded coordinates, routes, exact step counts, and motion samples remain in your local SlothUp history. Product analytics contains only limited information such as the selected activity, broad duration ranges, completion status, earned reward count, and technical issue categories. It does not contain your route or exact location.
Frequently asked questions
Do SlothUps have cash value?
No. SlothUps are in-app movement rewards. They make active minutes visible and can optionally be exchanged for access time in an app selected through App Shield.
Can a Map session continue with my iPhone locked?
Yes, when background location access is enabled. SlothUp uses it only to continue an active Map session while the app is in the background or the iPhone is locked.
Why was part of my session not credited?
SlothUp credits confirmed active movement. Standing still, vehicle travel, weak GPS, or insufficient movement evidence can leave a period uncredited so GPS drift is not rewarded.