About DigRun
My daughter kept telling me I needed to move more, so I had one of those free pedometer apps. It just counted steps and made me feel guilty. Last Tuesday, I was browsing the Play Store on my Samsung phone and saw DigRun with a high rating. For less than a dollar, I thought why not. I wasn’t looking for a complicated fitness plan, just something to make walking the dog more interesting. This app did exactly that. It doesn’t feel like exercise at all. It feels like I’m playing a simple game on my phone, but I’m outside and moving. My dog, Buddy, certainly gets longer walks now because I’m not just heading straight home.
Core Features
It’s very straightforward, which I appreciate. You open it and see a map of where you are. Little treasure chests, they call them gems, are scattered around. Your job is to walk to them. When you get close, your phone gives a little buzz and you tap to dig it up. That’s really the whole game. It shows your walk on the map afterwards and tells you how far you went. There are little daily goals, like finding two gems, that give you a nice sense of accomplishment. I don’t care much for dressing up the little cartoon hiker, but my granddaughter thinks it’s great when she visits. The best part is it works even when I lose my signal down by the creek.
Real-World Use
This is where the app shines for someone like me. Last Thursday, I was planning my usual loop around the neighborhood park. The app showed a gem placed near the old oak tree on the south side, a path I never take. So Buddy and I went that way. Not only did I find the gem, but I also found a lovely little bench dedicated to a local teacher, surrounded by daffodils. I’ve lived here fifteen years and never knew it was there. Now I go that way every time. The GPS isn’t always perfect, though. Sometimes I’ll be standing right where it says the gem is, and I have to wave my phone around a bit like a fool before it registers. And yes, it does eat the battery on my Galaxy A54 if I’m out for more than an hour.
Pricing & Value
You pay 99 cents once. That’s it. No monthly fee, no sneaky charges. After dealing with so many “free” apps that pester you with ads or try to lock features behind a subscription, this was a breath of fresh air. For the price of a candy bar, I got a whole new reason to enjoy my daily routine. They do offer silly things to buy for your character, but I’ve never felt pushed to do so. The entire treasure hunting game is fully available from the start. In my book, that’s a very fair deal.
Updates & Support
I had one problem where a gem just wouldn’t let me dig it up, no matter how much I tapped. I found the “Contact Support” button tucked away in the settings menu. I sent a message explaining the issue and the cross street. I didn’t hear back for a few days, which had me worried they’d just take my money and run. But then I got a real email from a person named Sam. They apologized for the delay, said they’d log the bug, and sure enough, the next time I updated the app, that spot worked perfectly. It’s nice to know there are real people fixing things.
Data & Privacy
The app asked for permission to use my location, which makes sense since it’s a map. I was cautious and checked what else it might want. It didn’t ask for access to my photos or contacts or anything else that seemed unrelated. I got it from the official Google Play Store on my phone. I’m not an expert on these things, but it feels straightforward. It uses my location to show me the map and place the gems, and that’s all I need it to do.
How does the treasure hunting feature work in DigRun?
The app uses your phone's GPS to show a map with virtual treasure chests called gems scattered around your location. You simply walk toward a gem, and when you get close, your phone buzzes so you can tap to dig it up and collect it.
Does DigRun track my walking distance and set daily goals?
Yes, after each walk the app shows your route on a map and tells you how far you went. It also sets simple daily goals, like finding two gems, which give you a nice sense of accomplishment without feeling like a chore.
What should I do if the GPS doesn't register that I'm near a gem?
Sometimes the GPS can be a little off, so you may need to wave your phone around near the gem's location to get it to register. If that doesn't work, try moving a few steps in different directions or restarting the app to refresh the signal.
Will DigRun still work if I lose my cell signal while walking?
Yes, the app works even when you lose your signal, like down by a creek or in a spotty area. It still tracks your walking and lets you collect gems, so you don't have to worry about staying connected.
How does DigRun compare to a simple step-counting pedometer app?
Unlike a basic pedometer that just counts steps and makes you feel guilty, DigRun turns walking into a fun game by giving you treasure chests to find along the way. It makes you want to explore new paths and walk longer without it feeling like exercise.
