Follow Mode — Measure as You Move
Distance Map’s Follow Mode uses your iPhone’s GPS to record distance and area in real time as you walk, run, cycle or drive. Instead of tapping points manually, you just move and the app builds the track for you.
How Follow Mode Works
- Open Distance Map and start a new measurement
- Turn on Follow Mode — the app starts tracking your GPS location
- Walk, drive or cycle along the path you want to measure
- See distance and area update live as you move
- Tap stop when you’ve finished — your full track is saved
The track follows the actual path you took, so the measurement reflects reality — no estimation, no guesswork.
What Follow Mode Is Good For
Measuring Fields and Paddocks
Walk the perimeter of a field and Follow Mode calculates the exact area. Much faster than dropping pins on a satellite image, and accurate even when the imagery is outdated.
Plotting Property Boundaries
Fence lines, property corners, garden extents — walk them and get an accurate measurement on the spot. Useful for homeowners, contractors and surveyors checking published plot sizes.
Recording Hikes and Runs
Know exactly how far you’ve gone without needing a separate fitness tracker. Distance updates live as you walk, and the full track can be exported as GPX.
Driving Survey Routes
Drive a route to measure total distance when roads aren’t on the map, or when you need accurate measurement along real terrain (construction sites, forestry roads, private property).
GPS Accuracy
Follow Mode uses standard iPhone GPS, which is accurate to around 3–5 meters in open sky. For best accuracy:
- Stay in open sky — avoid heavy tree cover and urban canyons
- Wait for GPS lock before starting (the app shows signal strength)
- Walk at a steady pace — very slow or stop-and-go movement can add noise
- Use airplane mode + GPS on if you’re in an area with poor cell signal (GPS still works)
Follow Mode vs. Drop Pins
| Follow Mode | Drop Pins | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Walking the actual route | Measuring from the map |
| Requires GPS | Yes | No |
| Accuracy | 3–5 m (GPS) | Map tile precision |
| Speed | Slower — you walk it | Instant |
| Works indoors | No | Yes |
Many users combine both: drop pins to sketch a rough path, then Follow Mode to verify on the ground.
Export and Share
Every Follow Mode track can be:
- Exported as GPX for import into other GPS software
- Shared with a link — recipients see the track on a map
- Saved in your measurements list for later reference
Privacy
Your location is used only to draw the track you’re recording. Tracks stay on your device unless you explicitly share them.
Try Follow Mode
Follow Mode is part of the Distance Map iOS app. Download it to measure distance and area on the move.
Get Distance Tool
Download Distance Tool for iOS and start measuring in seconds.
