Movement
How to simulate walking on an iPhone
Updated · By the Geovo team
To simulate walking, move the iPhone's GPS position at walking pace through Apple's developer location service. In Geovo, steer with the joystick (on-screen stick, WASD or arrow keys) or play a route at Walk speed, 5 km/h, along real paths, from a Mac, a PC or the iPhone itself. Only the GPS position moves; steps and motion sensors don't.
What are the ways to simulate walking?
There are two: steer by hand with a joystick, or let the iPhone follow a path at walking speed. Both move the same GPS position every app reads, about once a second, so Maps' blue dot glides instead of jumping. Pick the joystick for free exploration and a route when you want the same walk every time.
| Method | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Joystick | Drag the on-screen stick, or hold WASD or the arrow keys on the computer; a half-pushed stick walks at half speed | Free movement, trying out a feature by hand |
| Walking route | Click stops on the map; with Follow roads on, Geovo walks between them along real streets and paths | A specific walk you want to repeat |
| Directions link | Paste a Google or Apple Maps directions link, then choose Walk | Turning a planned walk into a route in one step |
| GPX or KML file | Import a recorded or planned path and play it at Walk speed | Replaying the same path in every test |
How fast is a simulated walk?
Geovo's Walk speed is 5 km/h (about 3.1 mph), an ordinary walking pace. Run is 11 km/h, Bike 18 km/h, and Drive follows each road's typical speed. The pace eases in and out and slows at sharp corners rather than turning instantly. On a trip you can Pause, Resume or change speed mid-way, and the trip bar shows distance and time left.
How do you walk with the joystick on the iPhone itself?
Set up Geovo's iPhone app once from a computer (how), then open the joystick in the app and drag the stick. The Route & joystick speed button sets the pace. It works on Wi-Fi or cellular with nothing plugged in, thanks to the free LocalDevVPN helper.
What moves, and what doesn't?
Only the GPS position from Location Services moves. Map apps, location features in apps and websites in Safari see you walking. The Health app counts steps from the iPhone's motion sensors, which a location simulator doesn't touch, so step counts and activity rings don't go up. Your IP address and carrier don't change either.
| Follows the simulated walk? | |
|---|---|
| Blue dot in Apple Maps and other map apps | Yes |
| Location features in apps (nearby, check-in points, geofences) | Yes, for apps with location access |
| Websites using location in Safari | Yes, after you allow location for the site |
| Steps, activity rings, motion data | No: they come from motion sensors |
| IP address, carrier, time zone setting | No |
What is simulated walking good for?
Testing and showing anything that reacts to a person moving on foot: walking navigation and turn prompts, run and walk tracking screens, geofences you reach on foot, tour or campus apps, and screen recordings of a feature for a demo. See testing location features and demos and screenshots.
Try it
Try Geovo free for 15 minutes with a free account (email code, no password, no card). Pro is unlimited: $6.99/week, $12.99/month, $29.99 for 3 months, $79.99/year ($6.67/month) or $129.99 once for lifetime, on 2 computers and 2 iPhones. Download Geovo or see pricing.
Use it responsibly
Geovo is for lawful use only: testing apps and websites, keeping your exact position private from an app that doesn't need it, demos, travel planning and teaching how location services work. Don't use any location tool to mislead people who rely on your location, or to break the terms of an app or service you've agreed to. Stop simulating whenever your real location matters, for example in an emergency.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I make my iPhone's location move without walking?
- Use a location simulator that plays movement through Apple's developer location service. In Geovo, start the joystick or play a route at Walk speed; the iPhone's GPS moves about once a second.
- What speed is walking in Geovo?
- Walk is 5 km/h (about 3.1 mph). Run is 11 km/h, Bike 18 km/h, and Drive follows each road's typical speed. With the joystick, a half-pushed stick goes at half speed.
- Can I walk with the keyboard?
- Yes. In the Mac and Windows apps, hold WASD or the arrow keys after clicking Start joystick. Let go to stand still.
- Does simulated walking add steps in the Health app?
- No. Steps and activity come from the iPhone's motion sensors, which a location simulator doesn't change. Only the GPS position moves.
- Can I simulate walking without a computer?
- Yes, after a one-time setup from a Mac or PC. Geovo's iPhone app has the joystick and routes and works on Wi-Fi or cellular with nothing plugged in.
- Can I repeat exactly the same walk?
- Yes. Save the route as a trip, or export it as GPX and import it again later. Geovo can also export the track it actually played.
Try Geovo free for 15 minutes
Create a free account: no card, no password. Mac and Windows.