First Impression
What surprised me most was how quiet it was. I opened it up and there was just a big number showing my altitude and a little map. No pop-ups asking for my life story, no noisy news feed, no confusing buttons everywhere. I downloaded it on a Tuesday morning because my old weather-and-elevation app started showing ads that played loud video. I was fed up. With this one, I tapped the icon, it asked to use my location (which makes sense), and then it just worked. I took my dog, Baxter, for our usual loop around the park that afternoon and kept my phone in my pocket. Every time I pulled it out to check, there was the number, plain as day. 4,820 feet. It felt honest and straightforward.
What It Does Well
It sticks to its job. The main screen is perfect. Big, clear numbers for your current altitude and the temperature. I don’t need anything else while I’m out walking. Last Saturday, my friend Margie and I drove up to the scenic overlook on Route 9. The fog was rolling in and we got to arguing about how high up we actually were. I pulled out my phone, opened Altitude+, and showed her: 6,115 feet. She was impressed. It settled the bet. I also like that I can see a simple line graph of my walk afterward. It’s not for bragging, it’s just a nice little record. I can see where the big hills were on my route, which explains why my knees were complaining. It does this without draining my battery to nothing, which is a big plus.
Where It Falls Short
The map is where I get a bit lost, to be honest. It’s there, and it shows my little dot, but it’s not a map for directions. It’s more of a background picture. I tried to use it to see the name of a trail I was on near the reservoir, and I couldn’t figure it out. The labels are tiny and it all looks a bit fuzzy unless you pinch and zoom, which is hard with my thumbs. The weather part is very basic, too. It gives the temperature and says “partly cloudy,” but that’s about it. If you want to know if rain is coming in the next hour, you’re out of luck. You still need your regular weather app for details. I wish they’d make the map simpler or just explain what it’s for right on the screen.
Is It Worth the Price?
It’s free, so you can’t complain much. There’s a small, silent ad banner at the very bottom of the screen. It’s for hiking boots or sports drinks, usually. It doesn’t jump around or make noise, so I barely notice it. For a free app that gives me the one piece of information I really want—my altitude—it’s more than worth it. I haven’t seen any prompts to buy a premium version or subscribe to anything, which is a relief. Some free apps feel like they’re constantly nagging you. This one doesn’t. It just lets you use it.
Developer & Support
I haven’t had any problems bad enough to need help, so I can’t speak to that. I did what I always do before trusting an app: I read the other reviews on the App Store. Most people seem happy, saying it’s accurate and reliable. A few folks mentioned small bugs that got fixed in updates. The developer is listed as Altitude Sports & Entertainment, which sounds like a local company that might know the mountains around here. That gave me a bit more confidence to try it. The app store page shows they update it every few months, which tells me they haven’t just forgotten about it.
Privacy & Safety
This was important to me. The app needs your location to work, obviously. I went into its settings on my iPhone after I installed it. It only asks for your location “While Using the App,” which is what I prefer. It’s not tracking me all day in the background. Their privacy policy, which I skimmed, says they don’t sell your personal data to third parties. They collect some anonymous usage data to improve the app. That seems fair enough for a free service. I feel comfortable using it. It doesn’t ask for access to my contacts or photos, which is always a good sign.
What does the main screen of Altitude+ show?
The main screen displays your current altitude and temperature in big, clear numbers. There's also a small map in the background, but the focus is on giving you the essential info at a glance without any clutter.
Can I see a record of my walk after I finish?
Yes, Altitude+ provides a simple line graph of your walk afterward. It shows where the big hills were on your route, which is helpful for understanding why your knees might be sore, without draining your battery.
Why is the map in Altitude+ hard to use for finding trail names?
The map is more of a background picture than a navigational tool, with tiny labels that can look fuzzy unless you pinch and zoom. It's not designed for getting directions or identifying trails, so it's best used just to see your general location.
What should I do if the app isn't showing my altitude correctly?
First, make sure you've allowed location access when you open the app, as it needs that to work. If the reading still seems off, try walking outside in an open area for a minute so the GPS can get a clear signal, then check again.
How does Altitude+ compare to other weather-and-elevation apps like the one I used before?
Unlike many apps that bombard you with pop-ups, noisy news feeds, and loud video ads, Altitude+ is quiet and straightforward. It just asks for your location, shows your altitude and temperature clearly, and doesn't drain your battery, making it a refreshingly simple alternative.
