Information

At TrailBeat, we pride ourselves on delivering a seamless and private outdoor fitness experience. Dive into our frequently asked questions to understand how we're built for adventurers like you, ensuring your data is always yours. Find answers to common queries and discover what sets us apart.

Frequently asked questions

It all began with a simple idea fueled by a deep passion for outdoor adventure and data privacy. As TrailBeat, we pride ourselves on personal attention and dedication to every detail, ensuring your fitness journey is yours alone. Our approach is rooted in quality and integrity, guaranteeing that everything we do reflects our commitment to excellence and user control.

What is TrailBeat?

TrailBeat is the fitness app built for outdoor adventurers who want to capture every detail of their workouts—without the clutter or compromise. It automatically tracks your route, distance, elevation gain, heart rate, pace, calories, and more.

What devices and OS versions do I need?

TrailBeat is designed for iOS devices. For specific OS versions, please check the App Store listing for the most up-to-date requirements.

Do I need an Apple Watch?

While an Apple Watch enhances the TrailBeat experience, it is not strictly required to use the iPhone app's core functionalities.  But without the Apple Watch, you won't collect your heart rate data there is no calorie data. 

 

Why do I need heart rate data?

During an activity, heart rate (HR) tells you:                                                                                       

  - Effort intensity — how hard your body is working regardless of terrain or speed                                          

  - Pacing — helps you avoid going too hard too early on a long ride or run                                                         

  - Fitness zones — low (recovery/easy), moderate (endurance), high (threshold/max effort)                                                                                                  

  In the TrailBeat History section, HR helps you:                                                                                             

  - Compare efforts — a familiar trail at a lower average HR indicates improving fitness                                         

  - Spot fatigue — elevated HR at the same pace can signal under-recovery                                                    

  - Correlate with terrain — pair HR with elevation splits to see which climbs tax you most  

What activities does TrailBeat support?

TrailBeat supports a wide range of outdoor activities including running trails, hiking mountains, biking backroads, and open-water swimming.

Where is my data stored?

All your data is stored securely in your personal iCloud storage—with Apple’s end-to-end encryption. TrailBeat does not collect or store your activity data.

Does TrailBeat collect analytics or telemetry?

No, TrailBeat does not collect any analytics or telemetry data. Your data stays on your devices and in your personal iCloud account.

What about the weather and trail data — don't those require servers?

For weather and trail data, TrailBeat utilizes public APIs directly from your device, meaning no data is routed through or stored on TrailBeat's servers.

How does Strava integration work with privacy?

Strava integration is opt-in and controlled by you. You choose what data, if any, is shared with Strava. TrailBeat does not share your data unless you choose to do so.

Can I export or delete my data?

Yes, you have full control. You can export your data anytime and delete it from your iCloud storage at your discretion.

What metrics are tracked during a ride?

TrailBeat tracks a comprehensive set of metrics including route, distance, elevation gain, heart rate, pace, calories, and more.

What is active time vs. elapsed time?

Active Time refers to the duration you were actively moving, while Elapsed Time is the total duration of your activity from start to finish, including any pauses.

How does auto-pause work?

Auto-pause automatically detects when you stop moving during your activity and pauses the tracking, resuming when you start moving again, ensuring accurate active time.

Can I customize the on-screen display?

Yes, TrailBeat allows you to customize the on-screen display to show the metrics most important to you during your workout.

How does elevation tracking work?

Elevation tracking uses a combination of GPS data and barometer readings from your device to provide accurate elevation gain and loss information.

Does TrailBeat show weather information?

Yes, TrailBeat capturers and saves relevant weather information including temperature at the start and end of your activity, wind speed and air quality index..

How do the iPhone and Apple Watch work together?

The iPhone app provides a detailed map and data visualization, while the Apple Watch captures heart rate and allows for glanceable metrics and control directly from your wrist, syncing seamlessly.

Can I use the Apple Watch without my iPhone nearby?

Yes, the Apple Watch app is designed to function independently for tracking activities, syncing data back to your iPhone when they are reconnected.

What file formats can I import?

TrailBeat supports common fitness file formats for import including GPX, TCX and FIT. Please refer to our in-app guide or support documentation.

Can I import my rides from Strava?

Yes, you can import your rides from Strava using either the iPhone app or the Mac OS X app.

Can I import from Garmin or Apple Fitness?

Yes, TrailBeat is designed to be compatible with importing data from Garmin and Apple Fitness.

Can I upload rides to Strava?

Yes, you can easily upload your completed activities from TrailBeat directly to Strava if you choose to share them.

Can I export my rides?

Yes, you can export your rides from TrailBeat for your personal use or to share with other platforms.

What does the Mac app do?

The Mac app provides a larger screen experience for viewing and analyzing your activities, managing your data, and potentially planning routes.  It also can geocode your imported activities, allowing you to identify by city.

Can I record rides on the Mac?

The primary recording functionality is designed for iPhone and Apple Watch. The Mac app is more for data analysis and management.

What is batch geocoding?

When you import rides from other apps, they often lack a human-readable location name. Batch geocoding uses a reverse geocoding (location) service to look up the city or area for each activity based on its GPS coordinates and adds it to the ride record. Using the Mac OS X app, you can geocode all un-geocoded activities at once with a single click.  

Does TrailBeat work on Android or Windows?

Currently, TrailBeat is exclusively designed for the Apple ecosystem, including iOS, watchOS, and macOS.

Does TrailBeat support imperial and metric units?

Yes, TrailBeat offers full support for both imperial and metric units, allowing you to choose your preferred display.

What are splits?

Splits are segments of your workout, typically measured by distance (miles or kilometers), that allow you to analyze your performance over specific intervals.  Your splits are automatically computed, along with net elevation gain or loss.

How is my data handled and protected?

Your data stays on your devices and in your personal iCloud account. TrailBeat has no company servers and collects zero analytics. We never sell it, share it, or bury you in ads and notifications. All your data is stored securely with Apple’s end-to-end encryption. You have full control, keeping activities completely private. Share only what you choose, or export your data anytime. No forced social features. No data harvesting.

Still have questions?  Feel free to contact us.

Your adventure, your data

This is where your journey with TrailBeat begins. Get to know our commitment to capturing the important details of your workouts while ensuring your privacy is paramount. Join us as we grow and succeed together, empowering your outdoor adventures. We're glad you're here to be a part of our story.