Support
Getting Started
Suburban Legend turns a walk into a map you fill in. Here is how to get going:
- Allow location access: the first time you open the app it asks to use your location while you use it. This is how it knows which streets you walk.
- Let the streets load: the streets around you are fetched from OpenStreetMap and drawn in red. Pan the map and tap "Load streets" to load another area.
- Start a Legendary Walk: tap the button and head out. Streets turn green as you walk along them, and the time and distance of the walk tick along on the card.
- Finish the walk: tap "Finish Walk" when you are done. Your progress is saved on your phone and is there next time you open the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the percentage mean?
The progress bar and caption, for example "Thornbury ยท 42% walked", show how many of that suburb's streets you have walked, measured against every street inside the suburb boundary. The suburb is whichever one is at the centre of the map, so pan around to check on others. The percentage rounds up, so a single walked street already counts as 1%, but 100% is reserved for when you have truly walked them all.
What counts as walking a street?
Streets are split into short segments between intersections. A segment turns green when your location passes close to it during a walk. You do not have to walk every metre of a long road for it to count; following it normally is enough.
Does it track me when I am not walking?
No. Location is only used while a Legendary Walk is in progress. Between walks the app does not receive location updates at all. During a walk it keeps working if your phone is locked or in your pocket, so you do not need to keep the screen on.
Where is my data stored?
On your iPhone. There is no account and Suburban Legend has no server of its own. Your walks, walked streets and suburb progress live in the app's storage on your device. See the Privacy Policy for the details, including what is sent to the map services the app uses.
Why are some streets missing or wrong?
Street data comes from OpenStreetMap, a map built by volunteers. It is very good in most places, but a new estate or a renamed road may not be there yet. You can fix the map yourself at openstreetmap.org, and the change will appear in the app the next time that area is loaded.
It says the street data service is busy. What now?
The app loads streets from public OpenStreetMap servers that are shared with many other users. When they are busy the app tries a few mirrors and then retries automatically, so you can leave it and come back. Streets that are already loaded keep working in the meantime.
Does it work outside Australia?
Yes. Anywhere OpenStreetMap has streets and suburb or town boundaries, which is most of the world.
Does it work on iPhone Duo?
Yes. Suburban Legend is laid out for the folded and unfolded displays, with the map and the control card side by side when there is room.
Tips for Best Results
- Allow "Precise Location" so that nearby parallel streets are told apart.
- Let the streets finish loading before you start a walk, so every street you pass can be marked.
- Walk on the footpath along the street rather than cutting through parks if you want a street to count.
- Keep an eye on the road. The map is for planning, not for reading while you cross.
Contact Us
Found a bug, have an idea, or want to help test? We would love to hear from you.
Email: support@suburbanlegend.app
We typically respond within 24-48 hours.