GirlTREK Underground App | FAQs

Table of Contents

 

Getting Started

Q1: What is the GirlTREK Underground app?  

A: GirlTREK Underground is a free mobile app designed to support Black women in building healthy habits and powerful community connections through walking, talking, and solving problems together. It’s a home for our sisterhood, online and on the move.

 

Q2: When and where can I find the app?

A:  You can download the App directly from the Apple Store (iPhone) and the Google Play Store (Android).  Visit our APP LANDING PAGE for direct links and more information.

 

Profiles

Q3: How do I create a profile?

A: When you join The Underground powered by GirlTREK, you’ll be guided through a short series of questions to help set up your profile. If you don’t finish right away, no worries! You’ll see a reminder on your Home screen prompting you to complete it when you’re ready.

 

Q4: Do I have to fill in all my information at once?

A: Nope! You can come back to complete your profile at any time. We encourage you to fill in as much as you're comfortable with to get the most from the app.

 

Q5: Can I edit my profile?
 

A: Yes, you can update your profile at any time. Tap the Profile icon in the bottom navigation bar to edit your personal details and any information you choose to share publicly.

 

Q6: Do I need to share my location?

A: Sharing your location improves your app experience. With location access, you’ll be able to:

  • Track and map your walks
  • Get accurate distance stats
  • Discover Crews and events near you

 

Q7: Will my walk locations be shared with others on the app?

A: No. Your walking locations are private and won’t be shared with other users unless you choose to share it (e.g., by posting a walk map or adding location info in a Crew post). 

 

Q8: Is the information I share private?

A: Great question! The Underground app is a vibrant community space where you can connect with others. Some of the content you share (like posts in public crews or comments on feeds) may be visible to other members. We collect data as you use the app to improve your experience. We encourage you to review our  Privacy Policy and Terms of Service to understand how your data is used and safeguarded.

As always, be mindful about what you choose to share in public spaces within the app. And if you ever have questions, our team is here to help.

 

Crews & Community

Q9: How do I find a crew?
 

A: Once you create your profile, the app will suggest regional Crews based on your location the first time you open the Crews feature. You’ll also be able to explore and manually join other Crews that align with your interests.


To find the Crews feature, tap “Crews” in the bottom navigation menu of your screen.


We’ve already pre-populated The Underground with Crews representing states and select regions across the U.S. We recommend joining your state/regional Crew and feel free to start your Crew based on your city, region, or shared interests!

 

Q10: How do I join a crew?
 

A: Tap on the “Crews” section in the footer of the app, search or browse available crews, and select the one you’d like to join. Hit “Join” and you’re in!
.

Q11: What’s the difference between a public and private crew?

A: Great question! Public crews are open to anyone who wants to join. Just click “Join,” and you’ll get instant access. Once inside, you can post on the feed, RSVP for events, and join in on team challenges. Private crews, on the other hand, require you to “Send Request” to join. The crew leader will review your request, and access is not guaranteed. If your request isn’t accepted, you won’t be able to view the crew’s feed, events, or other activity.

 

Q12: How do I start a crew?

A: Anyone can start a crew! Just head to the Crews tab and tap “Add a Crew” in the top right corner of the screen. We highly recommend completing our Crew Leader Training first; it’s designed to set you and your crew up for success. You’ll find the training in the Audio Library within the app. To get there, tap the Audio option in the bottom menu, then search for “Crew Leader Training” to get started.

 

Q13: Can anyone be a Crew Leader?
 

A: Yes! Whether you're organizing neighborhood walks or hosting challenges, you can absolutely serve as a Crew Leader. All we ask is that you complete our Crew Leader Training, available in the Audio Library of the app. It’s filled with tools, inspiration, and guidance to support your leadership. Once you’ve started your Crew, you can also tag other members as co-leaders to help lead alongside you. Be sure to confirm they want to be Crew Leaders before adding them to the role.

At GirlTREK, Crew Leaders play a vital role in our community. As you’ll learn in the training, Crew Leaders are everyday women leading their families, friends, and neighbors on walks that spark joy, connection, and healing. In addition to the in-app audio training, we also offer a Crew Leader Field Guide, which provides deeper insights into what it means to lead a Crew within the GirlTREK movement.

 

Q14: What are the features provided to Crews?

A: When you use the Crew feature in the app, you’re stepping into a vibrant digital space designed for connection and celebration. As a Crew member, you’ll be able to:

  • Join conversations through comment feeds.
     
  • RSVP to events and stay informed about upcoming walks.
     
  • Participate in Crew challenges and track progress as a team.
     
  • Climb the Leaderboards and celebrate your accomplishments.
     
  • Share photos and post updates to inspire and motivate others.

Whether you're walking with friends, family, or neighbors, Crews are where the community thrives!

 

Walk Tracking & Stats

Q15: How do I start a walk?
A. From the home screen, tap “Start a Walk.” The app will take you to the walk experience, where you can check in on how you’re feeling and then begin tracking your walk. You can also start a walk from any screen in the app. Just look for the orange button with the walk icon (a stick figure walking), or use the main navigation bar at the bottom of your screen.

Once your walk begins, the app will track your route, time, and distance. You can pause, resume, or stop your walk at any time. Want to walk and listen? Tap the audio icon (a music note) to browse our Audio Library. Choose a podcast or session to play—your walk will continue tracking in the background as you listen.

 

Q16: Can I edit or delete a walk?
A. You can’t edit the duration or distance of a walk right now, but you can delete it. To do so, go to your Walk History, tap the walk you'd like to remove, then tap the three-dot icon in the top right corner and select “Delete.” You can edit the walk name and description. Just tap the three-dot icon on the walk summary screen and choose “Edit.” From there, you can update the text fields as needed. We’re working on expanding editing options in future updates, so stay tuned!

 

Q17: Do I have to start a walk from the home screen?

A: Nope! You can start a walk from anywhere in the app. Just tap the walk icon (orange with a stick figure) or use the main navigation bar at the bottom.

 

Q18: What if I forget to end my walk? 

A: No worries, life happens! If you forget to end your walk, you can delete it from your history to keep your stats accurate. Check out the FAQ titled “Can I edit or delete a walk?” for step-by-step instructions.


Also, don’t stress about the Leaderboard. Only miles walked are counted, so lingering walk time won’t affect your ranking too much. That said, we still recommend deleting walks that don’t reflect your real movement to keep your data clean and meaningful.

 

Q19: Can I share my walks?

A: Yes! After you complete a walk, you’ll be taken to the Your Walks screen, where all of your walks are grouped by month. Simply tap the month you’d like to view, then select the specific walk to see more details. Below the walk title, you’ll see a “Share” icon. Tap it to share your walk stats via text, email, or other platforms.
Note: If you have enabled GPS tracking, your route map will be included in what you share. If you do not allow GPS tracking, the map will be blurred.

 

Q20: Will my walk stop if I leave the screen or open another feature in the app?
 

A: Your walk will continue tracking in the background, even if you explore other parts of the app or start playing audio content in the app.

 

Q21: Can I sync my walks with other fitness apps, such as Apple Health, Fitbit, or Strava?
 

A: At this time, syncing with third-party apps isn’t available. But we encourage you to keep tracking your walks in The Underground app so you can:

  • Earn badges
  • Join challenges
  • Climb the Leaderboards
  • Stay connected to a powerful community cheering you on every step of the way

By using the walk feature of our app, you’re not just tracking miles - you’re part of a global movement.

 

Q22: How does The Underground track my mileage or steps?

A: The GirlTREK app uses your phone’s step sensor (also known as a pedometer) to calculate how far you’ve walked. That means:

  • We count the number of steps you take.

  • Next, we estimate the distance using a standard formula based on average stride length.

     

This method is excellent for consistency, but it may not match exactly what you see in apps that use GPS or smartwatches, such as Samsung Health, Apple Watch, or Strava.
 
Why It Might Look Different Than Other Apps
 
  • GPS apps track your exact route outdoors using satellites, so they measure twists, turns, and terrain.

  • GirlTREK uses step counts only, which may slightly over- or under-estimate distance depending on your stride, speed, or walking surface.

     

A Note on Step-to-Distance Conversion:
  • Everyone’s stride is different!
  • If you’re tall, you may cover more ground per step than someone shorter—and that affects the distance the app reports.
  • We use a default stride length to ensure fairness and consistency for everyone. It’s not perfect, but it’s rooted in science (and sisterhood :blue_heart:).
 

Q23: How does The Underground track my walking streaks?
 

A: The app is designed to encourage women to walk for 30 minutes, 5 days a week. A new week begins on Monday and runs through the following Sunday, so the app will automatically reset on Mondays. (The app does not currently track longer streaks, like 30, 60, or 90 days, or longer.) Note: Once you have completed a 30-minute walk for the day, additional walks on that day will not be added to your streak. Only one 30-minute walk per day is required to hit the target.
 

Live Audio Conversations

Q24: Where can I find audio sessions?
 

A:  Visit the Audio tab to explore pre-recorded and live conversations. Use the search bar to look for podcasts, or you can filter by date, duration, and topic.

 

Q25: How do I join a live conversation?
A: You’ll receive in-app notifications when a Live Audio Chat is happening. Just tap the alert to join and listen in. If you feel moved, you're welcome to share your thoughts, too! When joining, you’ll be asked to consent to the community guidelines and recording, so please take a moment to review this before entering the space.

 

Q26: Can I contribute to a live audio conversation?
 

A: It depends on the host. If the host opens the floor for comments, you’ll see a blue “Ask to Speak” button at the bottom of the screen. Tap it to join the speaker queue.

Please note that not everyone who requests to speak will be invited to contribute. When you’re done sharing, tap “Stop Speaking” to return to listening mode.

 

Q27: Why is there a mute button at the bottom of the Live Audio Chat screen?

A: Life happens—especially on a walk! The mute button lets you temporarily stop listening without leaving the conversation. Whether you're chatting with a neighbor or crossing a busy street, tap mute. When you're ready to rejoin, press the button again to pick up where the conversation is.

 

Q28: Can I listen to a past live conversation later?
 

A: If the session was recorded and archived, you’ll be able to find it in the Audio Library after it ends. Look for the Live Conversations category to replay select past chats.

 

Q29: Am I able to see captions when listening to Audio content in the app? 
 

A: Yes, but only on audio content recorded in the app. For example, a live audio chat that has been saved in the audio library in the app. This content will automatically have captions provided when you press play. 


Audio Library

Q30: Where is the Audio Library?
 

A: Tap the Audio icon in the bottom navigation bar of your screen to access the Audio Library. Here you’ll find GirlTREK’s signature audio content—including Self-Care School, recordings of Live Conversations, and more. The library is regularly updated, and yes, your favorite episodes of Black History Bootcamp are coming soon!

 

Q31: Where do I find the Audio Library?
 

A. You can access it by tapping the Audio icon in the bottom navigation menu. Once you're in, you can browse, filter, or search by themes like healing, joy, or leadership.

 

Q32: Can I listen to a podcast while walking?
A. Absolutely. You can play any audio session while you're walking.

 

Q33: Are captions available for audio content?
A. Yes, but only on audio content recorded in the app. For example, a live audio chat that has been saved in the audio library in the app. This content will automatically have captions provided when you press play.

 

Events & Challenges

Q34: How do I RSVP for a walk or event?
A. To find out about upcoming events, visit the Crew page you’re interested in. Tap the “Events” button located just below the crew’s description. This will display all upcoming events hosted by that crew. To RSVP, tap “Yes” on the event announcement. Once you RSVP, the event will also appear on your Home Screen as a reminder.


Q35: How do I know the date, time, and location of an event?
A. All event details, including date, time, location, and description, are listed in the event announcement. To view them, go to the crew’s Events section or your Home Screen after RSVPing.


Q36: Is an event the same as a walk?
A. Great question! Not always. Crew Leaders can schedule walks as events, but they can also use the event function to organize other gatherings—like meetups or community service projects. Always read the event description to know what to expect. It will also inform you whether the event is recurring or one-time only.


Q37: Who can schedule an event?
A. Only Crew Leaders can schedule events in the app. If you're a Crew Leader, go to your crew page, tap the “Add Event” button, and enter the details. Not a leader yet? Anyone can start a crew and become a leader. We recommend completing our Crew Leader Training to get started.

 

Q38: Where do I see the events I've RSVP'd to?
A. Any event you RSVP to will appear on your Home Screen for quick access. You can also revisit the Crew page to see all of that crew’s upcoming events.


Q39: Can I change my RSVP?
A. Yes! Just return to the event post on your Home screen, tap on the event you would like to adjust, and update your RSVP by tapping a different response.


Q40: What are challenges?
A. Challenges are themed walking missions designed to keep you motivated and moving with purpose. Currently, only Crew Leaders can host challenges in your crew. When your Crew Leader hosts a challenge, you’ll be automatically added—no extra steps required! Track your Crew’s progress in the Crew Feed. Look for the pink challenge box to view updates, milestones, and how your Crew is doing as a team.

 

Badges

Q41: What type of badges can I earn? 
A. Personal Badges: Earn these by reaching walking milestones or listening to audio content. You’ll be notified right after completing a qualifying walk or activity. These badges will appear in your Walk Details and also live in your Profile, which you can access by tapping the Profile icon in the bottom menu.
Crew Badges: Your Crew can earn badges together by completing challenges. These are still in development. Stay tuned for updates!

 

Q42. What if a badge I earned isn’t displayed?
A. If a badge doesn’t appear as expected. Please submit a request to our technical team. Please navigate to Profile and select ‘Get Support’ and open a ticket with our technical support team.

 

Leaderboards

Q43. How do I get on the Leaderboard? 
A. Just track your walks! Your total walking distance will determine your ranking on our Global and Regional leaderboards. Stay tuned for more updates on this feature. We also have Crew leaderboards to show your crew’s progress together. Leaderboards will get even more exciting in future updates with special challenges tied to rankings.

 

Q44: What Types of Leaderboards are there? 
A. Crew Leaderboards (based on team walk totals)


Q45: How often do Leaderboards reset? 
A. Leaderboards reset monthly to give everyone, including new members, a chance to participate.

 

Notifications

Q46: Will I get notifications?
A. Yes! You’ll get in-app alerts for:

  • New events or walks
  • Badges earned
  • Replies to your posts
  • Live audio chat invites

Currently, the app does not send notifications for new posts on Crew feeds. You can manage your notification preferences anytime from your device (iPhone or Android). Settings > Apps > GirlTREK > Notifications > Allow notifications


Misconduct

Q47: What do I do if I need to report misconduct in the app?
A. We want your experience to be joyful and safe. If you encounter inappropriate behavior:

  1. Tap the three-dot icon on the post where the issue occurred.
  2. Select “Report” to start a short process that lets you describe what happened.
  3. Our team will review your report, notify you it’s been received, and follow up with any actions taken.

You can report misconduct in both Public and Private Crews.


Technical Support

Q48: How can I report a problem with the app?
A. There are two main ways to report an issue:

  1. Tap the three-dot icon on any Crew Feed post to flag technical issues.
  2. From your Profile menu, select “Get Support”, then tap “Technical Issue” to submit your concern to our tech team.
  3. A pop-up will appear, allowing you to describe your issue. When you hit "Send," the system will open up an email, and you should see your description.
  4. Click "send" to submit your message to our team.
  5. Once the email is sent, close out the pop-up by clicking on the "X" at the top left of the screen.
  6. You will receive an email message confirming that we have received your request, and we will respond as soon as possible.

 

Non-Technical Support

Q49: How can I ask GirlTREK a question? 
A. There are two ways to connect with the GirlTREK staff while using the app.

  1. Tap the three-dot icon on any Crew Feed post and then tap “Question to GirlTREK Staff.”
  2. From your Profile menu, select “Get Support”, then tap “Question to GirlTREK Staff” to submit your concern to our GirlTREK Staff.
  3. A pop-up will appear, allowing you to describe your issue. When you hit "Send," the system will open up an email, and you should see your description.
  4. Click "send" to submit your message to our team.
  5. Once the email is sent, close out the pop-up by clicking on the "X" at the top left of the screen.
  6. You will receive an email message confirming that we have received your request, and we will respond as soon as possible.


Have more questions? Reach out through the app or email us at Info@GirlTREK.org.

 

Did this answer your question? Thanks for the feedback There was a problem submitting your feedback. Please try again later.

Still need help? Contact Us Contact Us