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Recording a Track

On Apple Watch? Recording Tracks on Apple Watch

Topo Maps+ records your trip as a GPS track you can review, share, and export later. Recording works fully offline.

How to record

  1. Tap the Hike button (the hiking figure) in the bottom-left corner of the map.

    The Hike button in the bottom-left corner of the mapThe Hike button in the bottom-left corner of the map

  2. Tap RecordRecord Track.

    The Record button in the Hike cardThe Record button in the Hike card

  3. Choose the activity you’re doing in Select an Activity. Recording has already started, so you can take your time.

    Select an Activity, listing None, Backpacking, Biking, and other activities
    Shown on iPhone — Android looks slightly different.

  4. While you record, you can see your current stats. The large stats view is Focus mode; see Focus Mode.

    Recording stats in Focus mode: Distance, Remaining, Speed, Rolling ¼ Mile Pace, and Elev. Gain, with the settings and pause buttonsRecording stats in Focus mode: Distance, Remaining, Speed, Rolling ¼ Mile Pace, and Elev. Gain, with the settings and pause buttons

  5. Tap the pause buttonPause to take a break. From there you can tap the play button to resume, or the red stop button to stopResume or End the track.

    A paused recording with the settings, resume, and stop buttonsA paused recording with the settings, resume, and stop buttons

  6. To see all of your track information, tap the back button in the top-left corner to leave Focus mode.

    The back button in the top-left corner of Focus mode
    Shown on iPhone — Android looks slightly different.

    The Hike card shows every stat for the track under Track Stats, along with Pause, Segments, Line of Sight, and your distances. Tap Focus to go back to the large stats.

    The Hike card while recording, with Pause, Segments, Line of Sight, Track Stats, Show in Toolbar, and Distances
    Shown on iPhone — Android looks slightly different.

To skip the activity question, go to App Settings → Workflows → New Track Workflow and choose Last Used Activity or Selected Activity.

Customize the Focus stats

  1. In Focus mode, tap the settings button (the gear).

    The settings button next to the pause button in Focus mode
    Shown on iPhone — Android looks slightly different.

  2. Drag the stats to rearrange them, or tap the red – on a stat to remove it. Tap Restore Defaults to go back to the original stats, or Done when you're finished. You can also touch and hold a stat to start customizing.

    Customizing the Focus stats, with the add button, Restore Defaults, Done, and a remove button on each stat
    Shown on iPhone — Android looks slightly different.

  3. To add a stat, tap the + button in the top-left corner and choose one from Select a Recording Widget.

    Select a Recording Widget, with stats grouped under Distance & Time and Speed
    Shown on iPhone — Android looks slightly different.

Auto-pause when you stop

If you don’t want the recording to keep running while you’re stopped for breaks, turn on auto-pause:

  1. Tap the account buttonMenu button in the top-right corner of the map.

    The button in the top-right corner that opens the menuThe button in the top-right corner that opens the menu

  2. Scroll down and tap App SettingsSettings.

    The settings row in the menuThe settings row in the menu

  3. Under Recording Tracks, turnTurn on Auto Pause Track Recording.

    The Auto Pause Track Recording settingThe Auto Pause Track Recording setting

Show your stats in the toolbar

Your stats can sit in the toolbar while you record. In the Hike card, turn on Show in Toolbar under Track Stats, or turn on Show Recording Stats In Toolbar under Recording Tracks in App Settings.

The Show in Toolbar switch under Track Stats in the Hike card
Shown on iPhone — Android looks slightly different.

The distance then shows in the toolbar at the bottom of the map. Tap it to open the Hike card, or tap the pause button to pause.

The recording distance and pause button in the toolbar at the bottom of the map
Shown on iPhone — Android looks slightly different.

Live Activity on your Lock Screen

While a track is recording, a Live Activity on your Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island shows your stats, so you don’t need to unlock your phone. Choose which stats it shows in App Settings → Live Activity.

Keep recording in the background

Some Android phones aggressively stop apps running in the background to save battery, which can cut a recording short or turn it into straight lines. If that happens, allow Topo Maps+ to run without battery restrictions in your phone’s Settings → Apps → Topo Maps+ → Battery.

Updated October 7, 2026

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Still need help?

We’re a small team and we read every message. Email support@topomaps.co and tell us which device you’re on.