Strava Activity Privacy: How to Unlock and Manage Your Data

How do I unlock my Strava activity?

Unlocking a Strava activity refers to adjusting its privacy settings, making it visible to a wider audience on the platform. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to modifying individual activity privacy and setting default preferences for future uploads.

Understanding Strava Privacy Settings

Strava, a leading platform for tracking athletic activities, offers robust privacy controls to ensure users manage their data sharing preferences effectively. By default, many activities might be set to a specific privacy level (e.g., "Followers" or "Everyone") based on your account settings. "Unlocking" an activity typically means changing its privacy from a more restricted setting (like "Only You" or "Followers") to a more public one (like "Everyone"). Understanding these options is crucial for maintaining control over your personal fitness data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Individual Activity Privacy

You can modify the privacy of any single activity you've already uploaded, whether it's via the Strava mobile app or the Strava website.

Via the Strava Mobile App:

1. Navigate to Your Activities: Open the Strava app and tap the "You" tab at the bottom of the screen.
2. Select the Activity: Scroll through your activity feed or use the "Activities" filter to find the specific workout you wish to adjust. Tap on it.
3. Access Edit Options: On the activity details screen, tap the three-dot menu (ellipsis) located in the upper right-hand corner.
4. Choose "Edit Activity": From the dropdown menu, select "Edit Activity."
5. Adjust Privacy Controls: Scroll down until you find the "Privacy Controls" section. Here, you will see the current privacy setting (e.g., a padlock icon for "Only You," a person icon for "Followers," or a globe icon for "Everyone").
6. Select Desired Privacy: Tap on the current privacy setting to reveal the options:
   • Everyone: Your activity is public and visible to all Strava users, and potentially non-users via public links.
   • Followers: Your activity is visible only to users who follow you and whose follow requests you've accepted.
   • Only You: Your activity is completely private and visible only to you.
7. Save Changes: After selecting your preferred privacy level, tap "Update Activity" (or similar wording) at the bottom to save your changes.

Via the Strava Website:

1. Log In to Strava: Go to Strava.com and log in to your account.
2. Access Your Activities: Hover over your profile picture in the top right corner and click "My Activities" from the dropdown menu, or click on an activity directly from your dashboard.
3. Select the Activity: Click on the specific activity you want to modify from your list.
4. Open Edit Mode: On the activity details page, click the "wrench icon" (or pencil icon) located on the left side, just below the activity title.
5. Adjust Privacy Controls: Look for the "Privacy Controls" section.
6. Select Desired Privacy: Use the dropdown menu to choose your preferred privacy setting:
   • Everyone
   • Followers
   • Only You
7. Save Changes: Click "Save Activity" at the bottom right to apply your new privacy setting.

Adjusting Default Privacy Settings for Future Activities

To avoid repeatedly changing privacy settings for each new activity, you can set a default preference for all future uploads.

Via the Strava Mobile App:

1. Access Settings: Tap the "You" tab, then tap the gear icon (Settings) in the upper right-hand corner.
2. Go to Privacy Controls: Select "Privacy Controls" from the settings menu.
3. Set Default Activity Privacy: Under the "Privacy Controls" section, find "Activities" (or "Default Activity Privacy"). Tap on it.
4. Choose Your Default: Select your preferred default setting: "Everyone," "Followers," or "Only You." All future activities will now automatically upload with this privacy level.

Via the Strava Website:

1. Access Settings: Hover over your profile picture in the top right corner and click "Settings."
2. Go to Privacy Controls: On the left-hand menu, click "Privacy Controls."
3. Set Default Activity Privacy: Scroll down to the "Activities" section.
4. Choose Your Default: Use the dropdown menu to select your desired default privacy for all new uploads: "Everyone," "Followers," or "Only You."
5. Save Changes: Strava typically saves these changes automatically, but ensure no "Save" button is pending.

Understanding Strava's Privacy Options

• Everyone (Public): Your activity is fully visible to all Strava users and can be found by anyone, even non-Strava users, if shared publicly. This includes your full route, stats, photos, and kudos/comments.
• Followers: Your activity is only visible to your approved followers. This offers a balance between sharing your progress with your network and maintaining a degree of privacy from the general public.
• Only You (Private): Your activity is completely private and visible solely to you. This is ideal for sensitive routes, test workouts, or activities you prefer not to share.

Additional Privacy Features:

• Privacy Zones: You can set "Privacy Zones" around specific addresses (e.g., your home or workplace) to hide the start and end points of your activities on maps, even if the activity is public.
• Map Visibility: You can choose to hide the map for an entire activity, displaying only your stats.
• Group Activities: When participating in a group activity, your individual privacy settings still apply to your own activity upload.

Best Practices for Strava Privacy

• Assess Your Comfort Level: Regularly consider what information you are comfortable sharing with different audiences. Your privacy preferences may evolve over time.
• Prioritize Safety: Be mindful of sharing sensitive information, such as your home address or frequent routes, especially if your activities are set to "Everyone." Utilizing Privacy Zones is highly recommended.
• Review Settings Periodically: It's good practice to review your Strava privacy settings, including default preferences and individual activity settings, to ensure they align with your current comfort level.
• Educate Yourself: Familiarize yourself with all of Strava's privacy features to make informed decisions about your data.

Conclusion: Taking Control of Your Data

Mastering Strava's privacy settings empowers you to control who sees your hard-earned efforts and personal data. Whether you want to share your achievements with the world, a select group of followers, or keep them entirely to yourself, Strava provides the tools to manage your digital footprint effectively. By following these instructions, you can confidently "unlock" or lock your activities, ensuring your Strava experience aligns perfectly with your personal privacy preferences.