The Story of JourneyPulse

🇩🇪 Deutsche Version

It started in an unfamiliar city

I had been out and about all day and would have liked to look back in the evening at where I had been, which ways I had walked and what I had seen. That wasn't possible, and so the idea for JourneyPulse was born.

The idea became a tracker

I sat down and wrote a simple tracking app. It continuously records where I am, using as little energy as possible. For longer stays it automatically sets a place (POI), so I can later see where I was, when and for how long.

The tracker became a navigation app

The app kept getting better, but something was missing. First a simple navigation was added. That soon wasn't enough, and an inner voice said: you can build a complete navigation app too. Many hurdles later I knew it takes a lot more time and brainpower than I had thought. But I love a challenge, and I kept thinking of more things I wanted in this app. I wanted the jack of all trades.

The navigation app became a companion for the car

So I added support for a standard Bluetooth OBD adapter to read fault codes and other vehicle data directly from my car. That also led to the fuel management: consumption, average consumption, tank level and refuelling suggestions. To be honest, I also simply didn't feel like paying for a decent navigation app any more while doing OBD diagnostics by hand on the side.

Where JourneyPulse stands today

I still have plenty of ideas. Right now, though, I'm concentrating on perfecting the existing features. I can only test the app on my own iPhone 16 Pro Max, so I depend on your feedback. I fix bugs as quickly as possible and I'm happy to take requests. What doesn't work smoothly yet is listed under Known Limitations.

My privacy promise

From the start I set myself one condition: No data collection outside your own iPhone. An app that records where you are knows a great deal about you. That knowledge belongs to you and nobody else.

That's why there is no user account, and I don't run a server where your data ends up. Trips, places, refuelling records and OBD data are stored in a database on your iPhone. What the app learns from your trips stays there too. Data only leaves your device when you trigger it yourself, for example through an export or iCloud sync.

It doesn't work entirely without the internet: for maps, routes, hazards and weather warnings the app queries external services and sends the necessary map area. Which services these are and how to switch them off is described under Privacy.

A word about the price

I have a good job that actually keeps me busy. Still, I put a lot of time into this app and into others. Originally JourneyPulse was meant to be completely free. Given the time that has gone into it by now, I think a price is fair. The app is available on the App Store. The following price changes are scheduled:

Period	Price
until 23 Dec 2026	€0.99
24 to 26 Dec 2026	free
from 27 Dec 2026	€4.99

I think the range of features and the effort justify this price change. Once you've bought JourneyPulse, you pay nothing more; updates remain free. This page is always kept up to date.

If you like JourneyPulse, you can send me a donation under Settings → App → Guide & Info → Support the app.

My cat will be pleased.

Help out

Tell me what you like, what's missing and what's not working. With your help I want to develop JourneyPulse into the ultimate companion.

How to reach me:

• In the app: Settings → App → Send feedback
• By email: apps(at)uheine.com