Strava: How to Uncrop Activities and Manage Map Visibility Settings

How to uncrop Strava?

To "uncrop" Strava activities typically refers to adjusting your privacy settings to reveal previously hidden portions of your activity maps, such as your start and end points, which are often concealed by privacy zones or global map visibility settings for safety and anonymity.

Understanding Strava's Privacy Controls

Strava, a leading platform for tracking athletic activities, offers robust privacy controls designed to give users power over what information they share and with whom. The concept of "cropping" in Strava doesn't refer to image manipulation but rather the intentional concealment of geographical data on your activity maps.

• What is "Cropping" in Strava? When users speak of "cropping" their Strava maps, they are generally referring to the use of two primary privacy features:
  • Privacy Zones: These are user-defined areas, typically around sensitive locations like home or work, which automatically hide the start and end points of any activity that begins or ends within that zone. Strava automatically truncates the visible route within these zones.
  • Global Map Visibility Settings: Users can choose to hide the start and end points of all their activities, regardless of whether they are within a defined privacy zone. This is a broader setting that applies to all uploads.
• Why Users "Crop" Their Maps The primary motivation for utilizing these privacy features is safety and personal security. By hiding precise start and end locations, users can:
  • Protect Home Address: Prevent strangers from identifying their residence.
  • Maintain Anonymity: Avoid revealing regular routines or sensitive locations like workplaces or children's schools.
  • Deter Theft: Reduce the risk of bike or gear theft by not broadcasting when and where valuable equipment is stored. These measures are crucial for maintaining a healthy balance between sharing fitness achievements and safeguarding personal information.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adjusting Map Visibility (Uncropping)

To "uncrop" your Strava maps, you'll need to modify either your global privacy settings, individual activity settings, or remove/edit specific privacy zones. Each method serves a slightly different purpose.

Method 1: Adjusting Global Map Visibility Settings (For Future Activities)

This method changes how all future activities will display on your map.

• Accessing Privacy Controls (Web Browser):
  1. Log in to your Strava account on a web browser.
  2. Hover over your profile picture in the top right corner.
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Click on Privacy Controls from the left-hand menu.
• Accessing Privacy Controls (Mobile App):
  1. Open the Strava app.
  2. Tap the You icon (profile) in the bottom navigation bar.
  3. Tap the gear icon (Settings) in the top right.
  4. Tap Privacy Controls.
• Map Visibility Options: Within "Privacy Controls," scroll down to the Map Visibility section.
  • Hide your start and end points: You'll see an option to hide the start and end points of your activities. You can specify a distance (e.g., 1/8 mile, 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile, 1 mile). To "uncrop" these globally, ensure this option is unchecked or set to the smallest distance if you still want minimal concealment.
  • Who can see your activities: This setting determines the overall visibility of your activities (Everyone, Followers, Only You). While not directly "cropping," it affects who can see the map at all. To maximize visibility, set this to "Everyone" (with caution).
  • Apply to past activities: After making changes, Strava will usually ask if you want to apply these new settings to your past activities. Confirming this will "uncrop" past activities according to your new global settings.

Method 2: Removing or Modifying Privacy Zones (For Existing and Future Activities)

Privacy zones are specific areas you've defined to be hidden. Removing or editing these will reveal the full map for activities starting or ending within those zones.

• Locating Privacy Zones (Web Browser):
  1. Follow steps 1-4 from Method 1 to reach Privacy Controls.
  2. Scroll down to the Privacy Zones section.
• Locating Privacy Zones (Mobile App):
  1. Follow steps 1-4 from Method 1 to reach Privacy Controls.
  2. Tap Privacy Zones.
• Editing/Deleting Zones:
  • You will see a list of any privacy zones you've created.
  • To reveal a specific area, you can delete the associated privacy zone.
  • Alternatively, you can edit a zone to change its radius or location, effectively "uncropping" areas that were previously hidden by too large a radius.
• Impact on Past Activities: Deleting or editing a privacy zone will automatically update all past and future activities that fall within that zone, revealing the previously hidden portions of the map.

Method 3: Editing Individual Activity Visibility (For Past Activities)

If you only want to "uncrop" a single past activity without changing your global settings or privacy zones, you can edit its specific privacy options.

• Navigating to an Activity (Web Browser):
  1. Log in to Strava.
  2. Go to My Activities or navigate directly to the activity you wish to edit.
  3. Click the wrench icon (Edit Activity) or the three dots icon to access activity options.
• Navigating to an Activity (Mobile App):
  1. Open the Strava app.
  2. Tap the You icon.
  3. Select the activity you want to edit.
  4. Tap the three dots icon in the top right corner.
  5. Tap Edit Activity.
• Adjusting Privacy Options for a Single Activity:
  • In the "Edit Activity" screen, look for Privacy Settings or Map Visibility.
  • You can toggle options like Hide Map or Hide Start/End Points for that specific activity.
  • Ensure these options are unchecked or set to "Everyone" to fully reveal the map for that particular activity.
  • Save your changes.

Important Considerations for Map Privacy

While "uncropping" your Strava maps can enhance the shared experience and provide a complete record of your routes, it's crucial to remain vigilant about your personal safety and privacy.

• The Balance of Sharing and Safety: Consider the trade-offs. Sharing full maps can be great for community engagement, route exploration, and personal record-keeping. However, it also means revealing more about your movements and locations to a potentially wider audience.
• Dynamic Nature of Privacy Settings: Your needs and concerns may change over time. Regularly review your Strava privacy settings, especially after app updates or changes in your living situation or routine.
• Implications for Third-Party Apps: Be aware that if you've connected Strava to other third-party applications (e.g., training platforms, smartwatches), your Strava privacy settings may not always directly translate to how those platforms handle your data. Always check the privacy policies of all connected services.

Best Practices for Strava Users

To ensure a secure and enjoyable experience on Strava, consider these best practices:

• Review Your Settings Regularly: Make it a habit to check your privacy controls every few months or after any significant Strava app updates.
• Be Mindful of Your Starting/Ending Points: Even if you've "uncropped" your maps, be conscious of where you start and stop activities, especially if they are consistently at sensitive locations.
• Educate Yourself on All Privacy Features: Strava offers many privacy options beyond map visibility, including profile visibility, Flyby, and Beacon. Understand how each one works.
• Utilize Flyby and Beacon Features Wisely: Flyby allows others to see if you crossed paths during an activity. Beacon allows selected contacts to track your location in real-time. Use these responsibly and understand their privacy implications.
• Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication: Protect your account with a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication for an added layer of security.

Conclusion: Taking Control of Your Digital Footprint

"Uncropping" your Strava activities is a straightforward process of adjusting your privacy settings. Whether you choose to reveal specific areas, individual activities, or all your routes, the power lies in your hands. As an Expert Fitness Educator, I emphasize that understanding and actively managing your digital footprint on platforms like Strava is as vital to your overall well-being as the physical activity itself. By consciously controlling your map visibility, you can strike the perfect balance between sharing your achievements and safeguarding your personal information.