Can You Use Pathlings Without an Apple Watch?

Yes. You can use Pathlings without an Apple Watch. An iPhone is enough to begin the walking game, track progress toward your daily goal, and raise a virtual companion.

If you have been putting off trying a walking app because you do not own a smartwatch, you can start with the phone you already carry.

What you need to get started

Download Pathlings on a compatible iPhone and follow its setup prompts. Choose a buddy, select a daily step goal, and review the permissions for step tracking. Pathlings works with Apple Health step information, so those permission choices matter.

Check the current App Store listing for device and operating-system compatibility before downloading. You do not need to buy a wearable just to try the companion experience.

Carry your phone on the walk

Without a wearable recording the walk, keeping your iPhone with you is an important practical step. A phone left on the kitchen counter cannot record the steps you take down the street through its own motion sensor.

Put the phone somewhere secure and comfortable, such as a suitable pocket or walking bag. You do not need to hold it in front of you or repeatedly open the game while moving.

If you also use other step sources through Apple Health, remember that different devices and apps can update at different times. Treat a delayed update as something to check rather than a reason to count the same steps twice.

What can you enjoy with just an iPhone?

Pathlings connects your everyday walking with a companion's progress. You can choose Clover, Kindling, or Pandrop, earn XP, complete quests, and explore the game's habitats, decorations, and Trail Runs from the iPhone app.

A Watch can be a matter of personal convenience. It is not the entry ticket to having a walking buddy.

A quick pre-walk checklist

• Finish the app's setup and read the step-permission prompts.
• Choose a familiar, manageable route.
• Take your iPhone with you.
• Check your progress after stopping somewhere comfortable.

If you want a playful reason to take the phone on your next neighborhood loop, download Pathlings on the App Store. New to the app? Follow the first-walk guide.