Getting Started

🇩🇪 Deutsche Version

This page walks you through the requirements, setup and the permissions JourneyPulse needs.

Requirements

• JourneyPulse from the App Store
• iPhone with iOS 26 or later
• For trips in the background: location access "Always" and "Precise"
• Optional: CarPlay-capable vehicle, Bluetooth OBD adapter, offline map data (around 6.6 GB of free storage for DACH, 170 MB for Tunisia)

First launch

1. Choose a language: On first launch the app asks once for German or English. You can change the language later under Settings → App → Language without restarting the app.
2. Go through the intro: The intro has four pages: Welcome, Basics, Permissions and "Ready to go". Tap "Let's go" to finish.
3. Grant permissions: On the third page you can request each permission individually (see below).

A detailed guide is always available in the app under Settings → App Guide.

Permissions

The app explains each permission before iOS asks for it. Without a permission the app stays usable; individual features are then missing.

Permission	What for	Required?
Location ("Always" and "Precise")	Record trips in the background and keep navigating while the app is not open or CarPlay is active. "While Using" is enough to capture routes and speeds.	Yes, for recording and navigation
Motion & Fitness	Improves detection (walking or driving) and lowers energy use. Without it recording continues, but reacts less economically to standstill.	Recommended
Notifications	Warnings, logbook prompts, departure time tips and appointment reminders.	Recommended
Microphone	Only when you tap voice start to speak your navigation destination.	Optional
Speech Recognition	Turns what you say into text so a destination can be searched. You can force on-device recognition in the settings.	Optional
Contacts	Only on request: addresses from your contacts when you want to navigate to a person by voice.	Optional
Calendar	Only for appointment reminders: read events with a location, remind you to leave in time and prepare the route. The app writes nothing to your calendar.	Optional
Bluetooth	Connection to an OBD2 adapter and to optional beacons.	Optional
Camera	Photograph fuel receipts and read them automatically.	Optional
Face ID	Confirmation before the diagnostics module writes anything to a control unit.	Optional
Apple Health (read)	Steps, distance and active energy to compare with your trips. The app writes no health data without your explicit consent.	Optional
Local Network	Only if you enter an address on your local network for offline map data.	Optional

You can see the current status under Settings → App → Permissions → Show status. From there you can also jump straight into the iOS system settings.

Tips for getting started

• Set location to "Always" and "Precise" if trips should also be recorded with the screen locked.
• Charge the iPhone in the car if possible. iOS then handles background location more reliably.
• Don't close the app in the app switcher while a trip is running. Closing it by hand stops background work unreliably.
• Create a place with the category "Home" under Places if you want to use the trip automation.

Next: Recording Trips · Energy and Battery · Privacy