# OpenPaths

> Secure personal location data locker for tracking, visualization, and sharing. (iPhone/iPad app by University of California, San Diego (Business Affairs).)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openpaths/id493605283 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [University of California, San Diego (Business Affairs)](https://appshunter.io/developer/318646415)
- Category: Utilities, Lifestyle
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.30/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 32 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 7.0 · 15 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-01-13
- Data updated: 2026-06-11
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openpaths/id493605283/reviews.md

## What is OpenPaths?

OpenPaths (https://openpaths.cc) is a secure data locker for personal location information. 

Using our iPhone app you can track your location, visualize where you've been, and upload your data to the OpenPaths website. You can then download your data from the website in a variety of friendly formats, including KML, JSON, and CSV. The OpenPaths API enables you to integrate your own software with the platform.

You can keep your location history to yourself, or you can share it with specific research initiatives, art projects, or educational programs as you so choose. The OpenPaths online interface allows you to manage who has access to your data. Your data is secure on the encrypted OpenPaths servers and cannot be accessed by anyone without your express consent.

OpenPaths is a new way for individuals to take ownership of, to work with, and to share the data that they generate in their daily lives. OpenPaths is a community project initiated by the Research and Development Lab at the New York Times Company.

- Runs in the background
- Minimal battery drain

For more information, please visit https://openpaths.cc

## Key features

- Location tracking
- Data visualization
- Data export (KML, JSON, CSV)
- Secure data locker
- API integration
- Background operation
- Minimal battery drain

## Recent user reviews (10 of 32)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openpaths/id493605283/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Not working :(

*2020-09-30, version 2.0*

This app doesn’t work, and hasn’t since I last tried for iOS11. It fails to sync my data and it’s display hasn’t been updated for larger phone screens.  

I miss the app, when it worked. I used this app for years because it did such a good job of unobtrusively giving me a way of seeing where I’d been, but unfortunately it seems the app just doesn’t work any more. ☹️

### 1/5 — Account set up fails

*2019-03-25, version 2.0*

It won’t let me past the account set up.

### 3/5 — Yay !  An update but...

*2017-12-07, version 2.0*

Is it me or it saves less locations than the previous outdated application ?  It looks like I got only some dots instead than a lot of dots :(.  One other thing is we can’t reach the developers of this app ?

### 4/5 — So what will happen to my years of movements ?...

*2017-09-30, version 1.1*

I kinda want this to still exist

### 3/5 — Own your data

*2016-03-08, version 1.1*

Sync failures had me lose a month of data and recently seems a little bit abandoned. 

Got the app after a Jerr Thorpe talk over a year ago and loved playing with my own data in R and Python but lately the app feels pretty abandoned. Maybe time to delete sadly.

### 3/5 — A wonderful app in need of an update

*2015-11-08, version 1.1*

I've been using openpaths for years as a way to track my movements and the service works very well, has a REST API with OAuth for accessing data etc, but the app is firmly stuck in the iOS5 era.

### 2/5 — Not enough points

*2015-08-01, version 1.1*

I might be more interested with at least ten times more data.

And too many sync failures.

Battery usage was not noticeably affected.

Bye

### 1/5 — Unable to use

*2015-05-27, version 1.1*

I actually can't tell you anything about the app since it would not let me sign-up or sign-in. I decided since that little thing would not work then the app as a whole would probably not be worth the effort and so I deleted it

### 1/5 — Inaccurate tracking app, defeats the whole point.

*2013-11-29, version 1.1*

So inaccurate it's absolutely useless. Never left my property today, but in the last 18 hours shows points as far as 4 miles away.

### 4/5 — Great app but needs an update

*2013-10-24, version 1.1*

I have been using this app for nearly two years to record my movements. The app runs quietly and economically in the background. The website is very easy to use to download a csv of my movements for use in other programmes and scripts. I have found it a very useful resource.

However I find it does crash a lot, almost every time I open it. Usually it is fine on reopening as long as it can sync the data back to the server. In situations where I don't have mobile data or wifi (e.g. abroad) this can be frustrating but it still seemed to record where I was. 

Balancing preserving battery life against recording the GPS position as accurately as possible is always going to be tricky. I find it works best when I am on my bicycle (25-35km/h) and it records my position at regular and well-spaced intervals. Faster transportation like cars and trains are more hit and miss and the app tends to record highly clustered points at substantial intervals. Walking pace is also slightly erratic. If you want to ensure that a place is recorded then it's best to open up the app so it places a point.

## Frequently asked questions about OpenPaths

### What does OpenPaths do?

OpenPaths acts as a secure data locker for your personal location information. It allows you to track your movements, visualize where you've been, and upload this data to a website. You can then download your location history in formats like KML, JSON, and CSV, and even integrate with your own software using the provided API.

### How can I share my location data with others?

You have complete control over who accesses your location history. You can choose to keep it private or share it with specific research initiatives, art projects, or educational programs through the OpenPaths online interface. Your data is encrypted and only accessible with your explicit consent.

### Is OpenPaths free to use?

Yes, the application is free to use. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned in the provided information.

### What devices is OpenPaths compatible with?

The description specifically mentions an iPhone app for tracking location. For more detailed compatibility information, including operating system versions, it is recommended to visit the official OpenPaths website.

### What are the benefits of using OpenPaths?

OpenPaths offers a secure way to own and manage your generated location data. Key benefits include visualizing your travel history, exporting data in multiple formats, controlling privacy through selective sharing, and integrating with other software via its API, all while running with minimal battery drain.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 2.0 — 2017-11-03

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Revamped UI
Passcode functionality fixed
Less battery drain on location tracking
Location tracking more accurate
Search functionality to map

### 1.1 — 2012-04-12

Bug fixes

### 1.0 — 2012-01-13

No release notes.

## Apps similar to OpenPaths

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Nexkey](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nexkey/id1035462169) | 4.8 (643) | Free | Utilities |
| [Atrium Campus Connect](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/atrium-campus-connect/id1596975756) | 1.3 (63) | Free | Utilities |
| [Holdover Calculator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/holdover-calculator/id768019181) | 4.0 (8) | Free | Utilities |
| [CoServ](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/coserv/id1485884005) | 2.2 (121) | Free | Utilities |
| [Solaris Vision Driver](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solaris-vision-driver/id1632983706) | 2.9 (14) | Free | Utilities |
| [FLATS® life](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flats-life/id1540607426) | 4.7 (89) | Free | Utilities |

## More apps by University of California, San Diego (Business Affairs)

- [UC San Diego](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/uc-san-diego/id318646412)
- [DOSCI](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dosci/id1066131472)
- [CBT2GO](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cbt2go/id1209223084)
- [No Butts](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/no-butts/id1235248992)
- [CYCORE Home Wellness](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cycore-home-wellness/id1271832613)

All apps by University of California, San Diego (Business Affairs): https://appshunter.io/developer/318646415

## Related topics

[openpaths](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/openpaths) · [openpath](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/openpath) · [openpath mobile access](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/openpath-mobile-access) · [openpath app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/openpath-app)

---

*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 2026-06-11.*