Mykhailo Rogalskyi, co-founder of monobank, has launched Walkable, an app designed for people who love walking. It tracks the places users have visited by marking buildings yellow on a gray map. This allows users to visualize where they’ve been and discover new areas to explore.
In an Instagram video, Rogalskyi shared that the idea for the app first came to him during the COVID lockdowns when outdoor walks were one of the few available activities. As he strolled through familiar streets, he thought having an app that tracks where you’ve walked and where you haven’t would be useful.
Currently, Walkable is available only on iOS. According to Rogalskyi, he initially created it for personal use. AIN asked Mykhailo when to expect an Android version, what new features might be added, and how Walkable ensures user data protection.
If the idea for Walkable came up during COVID-19, why did you decide to return to it now?
Actually, I got back to it about two years ago. At some point, I just wanted a hobby project — something to create. I was working on two projects then; the other never saw the light of day. Both were initially designed for the UK market, which is why the app is currently in English. But at the last minute, we adapted it for all cities.
Here’s how it happened: I started developing the app with one team, but the technical solution we chose only allowed us to launch in a single city. We picked London since I came up with the idea while there (even though I had already been to Kyiv). I figured there are more walkers in London, and the concept would be more relevant there.
However, we couldn’t finalize it technically with that team. Later, a new team found a different solution that enabled the app to function in any city. That’s when I said, “Why are we making this just for London? Let’s launch it in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, too. I want to use it here.”
That’s why some London-related elements remain, like the registration process and specific terms and conditions.
What cities and countries does the app support?
Technically, you can mark buildings anywhere. Some cities also have specific neighborhoods. For example, we highlight the historic centers in Kyiv, Lower and Upper Podil, Kurenivka, and Tatarka. This lets users explore different parts of a city and see how much of their surroundings they’ve covered.
Who worked on the project, and how much did it cost?
The team comprised five people, including two Ukrainian students studying in London. We had two iOS developers and a designer. The team is scattered across Europe: one person is in Warsaw, another in Zurich, and another in Valencia. They’re not affiliated with monobank.
I won’t disclose the cost. The funding came entirely from our own pockets. At this stage, it’s a non-commercial project. It’s been a huge success—it’s currently the #1 free app in the Ukrainian App Store. Now, we can start thinking about turning it into a business.
The app lets users track their walks, add friends, and share results. What new features are in the works?
We have several ideas for Walkable’s future. One direction is adding historical facts and interesting city details. The challenge, however, is how to generate engaging content beyond just pulling Wikipedia articles.
Another approach is user-generated content. I want to let people share their favorite spots — a scenic alley, a great sunset viewpoint, a cozy coffee shop, or a unique store. We plan to call these Hidden Gems, similar to collectibles in games. If your friends mark a place (especially one you haven’t visited yet), a notification will encourage you to check it out.
On security. Earlier, media reports highlighted security issues with the sports app Strava, which tracks routes (for example, running) and allows users to share their results with friends or on social media.
It was discovered that Strava could predict future movements and meeting places for high-profile political figures. Additionally, the schedules of military patrols near classified military facilities were exposed. Reports also indicated that attackers managed to spy on Israeli military personnel using the app.
According to Walkable’s Terms and Conditions, the app collects cookies, does not guarantee that the app or its servers are free from malware, such as viruses or Trojans, and is not liable for any damages, including loss of privacy (as stated in Cookies, No Warranties, Limitation of Liability clause).
How does Walkable protect user privacy?
To be honest, we didn’t put much thought into the Terms & Conditions — we likely used a template just to get approved in the App Store.
Regarding security, first, Walkable does not show where your friends are in real time nor the specific areas they’ve covered. You only see the number of houses they’ve marked.
Unlike Strava, you can’t track employees’ movements from secret facilities — this information simply isn’t visible. Secondly, Walkable is still far from being a security concern. If any risks arise as the app grows, we’ll address them. Right now, it poses no greater privacy risks than Google Maps. Since there are no recorded routes, there’s nothing to analyze or exploit.
Currently, Walkable is iOS-only because you initially built it for yourself. Now that it’s gained popularity, when will you develop an Android version? What kind of engagement metrics are you looking for?
For me, the key metric is retention. If at least 20-30% of users still use the app two to three weeks after installation, we’ve found our audience. And that I’m not the only one who enjoys painting houses yellow. We’ll move forward with the Android version and further development if retention is strong.
