# Gowalla App — Keep up with your friends IRL

> Social map and messenger for real-world friend connections. (iPhone/iPad app by Gowalla Exploration, Inc..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gowalla-app/id1530503877 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Gowalla Exploration, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1530503879)
- Category: Social Networking, Travel
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.59/5 from 51 App Store ratings · 25 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 17+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 43 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2023-03-10
- Data updated: 2026-08-20
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gowalla-app/id1530503877/reviews.md

## What is Gowalla App?

Gowalla makes it fun and effortless to keep up with your friends IRL.

ADD YOUR FAVORITE PLACES to the map

CHECK IN when you go out

FIND YOUR CREW in the real world

It’s a social map and messenger that reminds you an app can connect you with your real friends again.

Before you go, you should know…

• Gowalla was made for you and your REAL friends
• Gowalla keeps your location safe and doesn’t share it with randos
• Gowalla loves to hear from you so we can make the map better
• Gowalla is a bit of a goofball

## Key features

- Add favorite places to the map
- Check in when you go out
- Find your crew in the real world
- Social map and messenger
- Connect with real friends

## Recent user reviews (10 of 25)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gowalla-app/id1530503877/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Zombie mode

*2026-05-08, version 1.0.4*

The app is in zombie mode and still operational. Rather strange.

### 5/5 — Funny it’s already dead

*2025-09-13, version 1.0.4*

Gowalla was cool before Facebook bought and shut it down like 15 years ago. Now it’s already dead again the same year it was launched, 2023. Sad

### 1/5 — Full contact sync is a no go

*2024-09-01, version 1.0.4*

And pretty sure not GDPR compliant, was so excited to read that Gowalla is returning used it back when I spent a year in Australia when Gowalla still used the Wallaby as logo

Also now I can't even log in

### 1/5 — Will not let me use without uploading contacts

*2023-12-30, version 1.0.4*

The app does not function without uploading all my contacts. It should let me check in to places without that. If I want to add friends later I should be able to look them up myself. Going to stick with Swarm.

### 5/5 — Great concept, can’t wait for this platform to get more updates eventually!

*2023-12-01, version 1.0.4*

Been with Street Team since 2021, and it’s been a pleasure helping to build and curate my hometown and places I’ve been. Hoping that Gowalla will get updates again and hopeful that this app will fully take off and compete with the likes of Foursquare/Swarm, and especially Superlocal which has been quite a buggy experience.

### 5/5 — Gowalla is back!¡!…;)

*2023-10-11*

I loved this app when it made its first appearance on ISO. I was sad that it wasn’t available for those few years but am so excited for it to be back and I’m here to contribute and make it even better!¡! I look forward to finding items and leaving stuff for brothers to find. I would love to be part of the development if possible. I am building the ULTRAVERSE - where the ULTRA EQUAL 🟰 MYTHICAL BEINGS - live on planet 3Earth 🌍

### 1/5 — Doesn’t let me add friends

*2023-10-02*

Can’t add friends, only brings me to the App Store and stops there

### 5/5 — Great concept, can’t wait for this platform to get more updates eventually!

*2023-10-01*

Been with Street Team since 2021, and it’s been a pleasure helping to build and curate my hometown and places I’ve been. Hoping that Gowalla will get updates again and hopeful that this app will fully take off and compete with the likes of Foursquare/Swarm, and Superlocal!

### 1/5 — Won’t continue without access to contacts

*2023-08-13, version 1.0.4*

As other reviewers stated, the welcome screen won’t allow you to continue unless you give access to all your contacts. Additionally you can log in with email but can’t register with one… Happy to revisit the app once this is fixed

### 2/5 — Good visual design, terrible UI/UX

*2023-06-04, version 1.0.4*

The team focused a lot on making this app visually pretty, but the actual interface is not intuitive to use, not activity-centered, and also very buggy. I was looking forward to the promise of what the original was supposed to be, game-like where perhaps your friends could leave you objects at locations, or even a UI where you can actually see where your friends are if they’re not geographically close by. I’m not sure what problems they were solving when they designed this app, this seems like an art project not a utility.

## Frequently asked questions about Gowalla App

### What does Gowalla do?

Gowalla is a social map and messenger designed to help you keep up with your real-world friends. It allows you to add your favorite places, check in when you visit them, and find your friends in the real world.

### How does Gowalla help me connect with friends?

The app facilitates real-world connections by acting as a social map and messenger. You can see where your friends are checking in and discover places they enjoy, encouraging in-person meetups.

### Is Gowalla free to use?

Yes, based on the provided information, Gowalla is a free application. There are no mentions of subscription fees or in-app purchases.

### Is my location information safe with Gowalla?

The app emphasizes that it keeps your location safe and does not share it with strangers. It is designed for use with your real friends.

### What are the main features of Gowalla?

Key features include adding favorite places to a map, checking in when you go out, finding your crew in the real world, and using it as a social map and messenger to connect with friends.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.0.4 — 2023-03-20

See the countries and states your friends have visited with achievement Pins!

### 1.0.3 — 2023-03-16

Bug fixes and improvements including a fix that allows users to sync very large contact lists to connect with their friends.

### 1.0.2 — 2023-03-13

Bug fixes

### 1.0.1 — 2023-03-09

- Improved onboarding for easier signup and friend finding
- See your own check-in in the carousel

### 1.0.0 — 2023-03-02

No release notes.

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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 2026-08-20.*
