# Critical Maps

> GPS location sharing and chat for Critical Mass participants. (iPhone/iPad app by Norman Sander.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/critical-maps/id918669647 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Norman Sander](https://appshunter.io/developer/797639411)
- Category: Navigation, Social Networking
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 18 App Store ratings · 34 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 17+
- Requires: iOS 17 · 30 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, Polish, European Portuguese, European Spanish, Turkish
- Released: 2015-02-04
- Data updated: 2026-08-19
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/critical-maps/id918669647/reviews.md

## What is Critical Maps?

With this App, participants of the Critical Mass can share their GPS coordinates with others participants.
Besides that, users can send messages through the built-in chat.

## Key features

- GPS coordinate sharing
- Real-time location tracking
- Built-in chat functionality
- Participant communication

## Recent user reviews (10 of 34)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/critical-maps/id918669647/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Improved Visualization

*2026-08-16*

Spotting the moving cyclists is great!
Seeing all cyclists on the map / using this app is a powerful impression!

### 5/5 — Fantastic update and app

*2025-09-24*

Pricacy zones are here. Thanks so much.

### 5/5 — Super!

*2025-09-23*

Mega praktische App. Besonders das letzte Update.

### 4/5 — Interessant!

*2025-09-05, version 4.5.0*

Bin gespannt ob die App was taugt. Nutzung geplant für 07.09.25 in Ffm. Mastodon nicht  möglich, App schmiert ständig ab. A

### 1/5 — Immer aktiv

*2024-06-02*

Schade dass die App immer aktiv ist. Vorerst deinstalliere ich die App immer nach Gebrauch. Bitte ein Schalter zum Abschalten einbauen.
Bei Aufruf der App natürlich den Schalter automatisch einschalten!

### 4/5 — Super App, Integration von Mastodon stürzt ab

*2023-11-25*

Mir gefällt die Apo sehr gut. Wenn ich auf einen IPhone SE (2016) mit IOS 15.8 den Mastodon Chat öffne stürzt die App ab, wenn man im Chatverlauf scrollt.

### 5/5 — Cool das es sooo Tole Demos gibt!

*2023-06-30*

Goo Alle ans Rad

### 5/5 — Mass Time

*2022-07-26*

London mass is at 19:00, not 18:00

### 5/5 — Crashes after start

*2021-05-01*

Is there a chance to get an update? The app crashes instantly after opening.
Edit:
Changed the language from German to English. Now it works again.

### 5/5 — iOS 14.4.1

*2021-03-26*

App lässt sich nicht mehr öffnen.

## Frequently asked questions about Critical Maps

### What does Critical Maps do?

Critical Maps allows participants of Critical Mass events to share their GPS coordinates with each other. It also includes a built-in chat feature for communication among users.

### How does the GPS sharing work?

The app enables users to share their real-time GPS coordinates with other participants of the same event. This helps everyone stay aware of each other's locations during the ride.

### Is there a cost to use Critical Maps?

No, the application is completely free to use. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements.

### What are the main benefits of using this app for Critical Mass?

The primary benefits are enhanced safety and coordination. By sharing GPS locations, participants can easily find each other and stay together. The chat feature facilitates quick communication for any needs or updates during the event.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.10.0 — 2026-07-29

Spot the mass – Riders close to each other are now highlighted as groups on the map, so you can see at a glance where the crowd is rolling. Riders outside a group stay visible, just a bit more subtle.

GPX route overlays – Load a GPX route and see it directly on the map — perfect for previewing or following a planned ride.

Fixes & improvements – Privacy zone entries can now be deleted even when the feature is switched off, plus updated dependencies under the hood.

See you on the streets!

### 4.9.0 — 2026-02-17

### Updated

- Migrated to `swift-tools-version:6.2`
- Refactored SwiftUI views following best practices for improved performance:
- Performance optimization for RequestTimer and InfoOverlayView
- Updated dependencies

### Fixed

- Pagination issue when refreshing Mastodon feed
- queryMonth year boundary bug (December → January transitions)
- Guard against empty location to prevent server error

### 4.8.0 — 2025-09-21

Add AppIntent feature

### 4.7.0 — 2025-09-19

Added:
- Adds new localisations: Turkish, Polish, Portuguese-PT, Portuguese-BR
- New App Icon
- PrivacyZones Feature: Create and manage zones where your location won't be shared with other riders
- You can now browse image attachments of Mastodon posts
  
Updated:
- iOS26 glass design adoption
- Settings UI Refresh
- Uses native sheet for event list presentation
- Adds paginated loading for mastodon posts

Fixed:
- Fixes a crash when scroll in Mastodon posts

### 4.5.0 — 2024-11-11

Added:
- iOS 18: support tinted app icon

Updated:
- Fetches extended ride infos with included ride event timezone.
  This improves international event time representations.
- Main navigation: Moved guides into settings
- Replace Twitter with Mastodon in settings
- Adopted TCA 1.12

Fixed:
- Enabling observationmode will stop updating locations
- Location tracking Button animation

## Apps similar to Critical Maps

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [MapOut](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapout/id477094081) | 4.9 (137) | $4.99 | Navigation |
| [Beeline Bike Navigation](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beeline-bike-navigation/id1095384281) | 4.7 (1,132) | Free | Navigation |
| [NoDispatch](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nodispatch/id6453522188) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Navigation |
| [Every Door](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/every-door/id1621945342) | 5.0 (8) | Free | Navigation |
| [StreetCrowd](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/streetcrowd/id1407832660) | 4.2 (75) | Free | Navigation |
| [Bike Citizens Cycling App GPS](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bike-citizens-cycling-app-gps/id517332958) | 4.5 (151) | Free | Navigation |

## More apps by Norman Sander

- [Tap That Tempo](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tap-that-tempo/id797639408)
- [Next Period](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/next-period/id867469480)
- [Tap That Tempo plus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tap-that-tempo-plus/id898778002)

All apps by Norman Sander: https://appshunter.io/developer/797639411

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-19.*