Getting started, step by step
Follow these steps to download Mobility Mapper and start recording your first journey.
Using a screen reader? See our guide to using the app with VoiceOver or TalkBack.
Part 1: Creating your account
Step 1
Download the app
Download Mobility Mapper for free from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android). Open the app and tap Create account.
Step 2
Enter your details
Enter a username, your email address, a password and confirm your password. You can tap the eye symbol in the password input box to view your password (only do this when no one else can see your screen). Tap Next.
Step 3
Accept the terms
Review how Mobility Mapper collects and uses your data, including anonymised journey data for accessibility mapping. Tick the box to accept and tap Next.
Step 4
Join the pilot study (optional)
You'll be asked if you'd like to take part in the Mobility Mapper pilot study. Participation simply involves answering a short survey when you sign up, and again at the end of March 2027. Taking part is entirely optional — you can still use the app if you choose not to. But if you can, we'd really encourage it. Tick the box to participate and tap Create account to finish.
Step 5
Verify your email
Check your inbox for a 6-digit verification code and enter it in the app. The code expires after 15 minutes, so do this promptly. Once verified, you'll be logged in automatically.
Part 2: Contribute to the study
Step 6
Complete the short survey
If you are taking part in the study, you will be asked to complete a short survey before you use the app. If you are not taking part in the study you will not be asked to complete the survey and you can proceed to Part 3. Once you have completed the survey you will see a success message. Tap Continue to proceed to the next step.
Part 3: Setting up your mobility device
Step 7
Add your mobility device
Before you can record a journey, add the mobility device you use. Tap My Devices, then Add device. Select your device type (manual wheelchair, powered wheelchair, mobility scooter, handcycle, or tricycle), give it a name, and enter its width and length. Tap Save device. You can add more than one device and switch between them before each journey.
Step 8
Start your journey
Tap the Record tab at the bottom of the screen. Make sure the device you are using is selected, then tap Start recording. You can choose another device from your list by tapping Change device. The app will ask for permission to access your location — tap Allow to enable GPS tracking.
Step 9
Travel your route
Travel your normal route. The app runs in the background and tracks your GPS position automatically. You don't need to do anything while you travel.
Part 4: Recording a journey
Step 10
Report a barrier (optional)
If you spot an accessibility problem, tap the Report Barrier button in the top left of the screen to report it. Select the type of barrier, and then click Next. Tap the location of the barrier on the map. You can tap again elsewhere if it's not in the right place. Then tap Next. Now, let us know if it is a temporary barrier or not, and then, optionally, add any details about the barrier. Click Next, and you will be given the option to take photos of the offending barrier. You can either take a new photo by tapping Take Photo, or upload an existing one from your phone by clicking Choose from Gallery. You will then be given the option to crop the photo by dragging the corners of the frame with your finger. Then tap Crop in the top right to finish. When you have taken or selected all your photos (up to 3), click Continue. You will then see a summary of your barrier report. Click Submit Report, and you will see a success message when it has been received. The report will be pinned to the map at its location. You can tap on it to see the details.
Step 11
Stop and review
When you've finished your journey, tap Stop. You are asked if you would like to pause, or finish your journey. If you pause, a Resume button will appear at the top of the screen, which you can tap to continue. Your location will not be recorded while you are paused. If you end your journey, the app saves your route and shows you a summary — including the distance travelled, journey duration, and a map of the route you took. Tap Done to return to the Record screen. You can see a list of your journeys by tapping the Journeys tab at the bottom of the screen. Tap on a journey to see the full details again.
Tips
Keep the app open while recording for the best GPS accuracy, or ensure your phone's battery saver mode doesn't close background apps.
You can pause a journey if you need to stop temporarily — tap the pause button during recording, then resume when you're ready.
Every journey counts — even short ones. A five-minute trip to the shops is just as valuable as a longer route.
The verification code expires after 15 minutes — if you don't receive it, check your spam folder.