--- title: "How It Works: Lapwing Running Timer for iPhone" description: "Set your run and walk times, tap start, and Lapwing calls each switch. Then see your route, splits, pace and weekly progress. No account needed." url: https://lapwing.fit/how-it-works updated: 2026-10-11 site: "Lapwing" --- How it works # Set it. Start it. Just go. Lapwing is a running timer app for iPhone that tells you when to run and when to walk. You pick the intervals, tap start, and stop doing sums in your head. Afterwards you get your route, your splits and your week, all without making an account. [Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6802566556) Start with step one ## How do I set run and walk intervals? Choose how long to run and how long to walk on two dials, then tap start. That is the whole setup. - One dial for **run**, one for **walk**. For example, 2:00 run and 1:00 walk. - Prefer to run without a timer? Switch to free mode for an untimed run. - Both modes, intervals and free, are included at no cost. Not sure what to pick? The [Run/Walk Guide](https://lapwing.fit/run-walk-guide) has plain starting points for beginner running intervals. ![Lapwing interval setup on iPhone: run and walk dials set to 2:00 run and 1:00 walk](https://lapwing.fit/api/media/dff24be3-3360-8211-9ced-32b4ae92eeeb/1-set.webp) Two dials. Run time and walk time. ## What happens during a run? Lapwing counts down the current interval and tells you when it is time to switch, so you can keep your eyes on the path instead of your watch. - A clear countdown for whatever you are doing right now. - Obvious run and walk states, so a glance is enough. - Your route, distance and pace are tracked as you go. Nobody is watching. No feed, no sign-up, no ads. ![Lapwing run in progress on iPhone, counting down the current walk interval](https://lapwing.fit/api/media/27203e76-b540-865d-82f4-9449e7b608e0/2-live.webp) Mid-run: the walk interval counting down. ## Can I see where I ran and where I walked? Yes. When you finish, Lapwing shows a map of your route with running sections in **brass** and walking sections in **steel**. - Route map, distance and pace on every run, free. - See at a glance how the run and the walk shared the route. - Export any run as a file whenever you like. ![Map of a finished run on iPhone, with running sections in brass and walking sections in steel](https://lapwing.fit/api/media/d5f12e39-3712-827d-af57-6b8b9a6da0f5/4-map.webp) Brass for running. Steel for walking. ## How are my interval splits shown? Every run is broken down interval by interval, with the distance and pace for each one. - Interval splits on every run, on the free tier. - Compare your run sections and walk sections side by side. - Free keeps your three most recent runs. Lifetime keeps every run you have ever done. ![Lapwing run summary on iPhone listing each interval with its distance and pace](https://lapwing.fit/api/media/141707c3-410c-8a01-83e7-092a75af3a4e/5-detail.webp) Each interval, with distance and pace. Your week at a glance ## How do I track my running progress? The home dashboard shows your weekly distance, consistency and climb, plus a map of every route you have run. Free ### Week and month Week and month dashboards, with a map of every route. Lifetime, $4.99 once ### Six month and year Adds six month and year dashboards for the longer view. ![Lapwing home dashboard showing weekly distance, consistency, climb and a map of every run](https://lapwing.fit/api/media/876921e9-66a8-8d0a-be94-6a03a0a5689e/7-home.webp) Distance, consistency, climb and routes. Lifetime unlock ## Does Lapwing work on Apple Watch? The Apple Watch app, with heart rate, is part of the Lifetime unlock: one payment of $4.99, not a subscription. - The Apple Watch app, with heart rate. - iCloud sync across your devices. - Every run you have ever done, plus six month and year dashboards. - Everything in Free, unchanged. [Compare Free and Lifetime](https://lapwing.fit/pricing) [Device questions](https://lapwing.fit/support) ![Lapwing on Apple Watch showing a run in progress with heart rate and distance](https://lapwing.fit/api/media/15feec23-995f-8996-aad9-33feb63521b7/6-watch.webp) A run in progress, with heart rate. Quick answers ## Frequently asked questions ### Do I need an account to use Lapwing? No. Lapwing has no account, no trial and no ads. Download it and start a run. ### How much does the Lapwing running timer cost? Lapwing is free to use, including both interval and free modes, route maps and interval splits. The optional Lifetime unlock is $4.99, paid once, not a subscription. ### Which devices does Lapwing run on? Lapwing runs on iPhone with iOS 26 or later, in portrait. There is no iPad app. ### How many runs does the free version keep? The free tier keeps your three most recent runs. The Lifetime unlock keeps every run you have ever done, and you can export any run as a file on either tier. ### Can I run without timed intervals? Yes. Free mode lets you go for an untimed run, while still tracking your route, distance and pace. --- ## That is all there is to it. Go for a run. Free to start, no account. Set two dials, tap start, and let Lapwing keep time. [Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6802566556) [See pricing](https://lapwing.fit/pricing) iPhone, iOS 26 or later Lifetime unlock $4.99 once No ads