The Moofer app – how good is the alternative to the VanMoof app?
Smart, smarter, Moofer? According to the independent developer of the popular e-bike app, you can only exploit the full potential of your VanMoof bike with the Moofer app. In this article, we will take a look at what Moofer can really do, what that means for you as a user and where the app reaches its limits.
Anyone who has read our overview article “How to find the best e-bike app for your needs” and one or two of our app reviews knows that good e-bike apps are rare. One notable exception is the VanMoof app. Although it also has weaknesses, it convinces with useful features and reliability.
Nevertheless, many VanMoof riders swear by another great app, even though it is only available for a fee. It is the Moofer app, at which we took a closer look.
What is Moofer?
The e-bike app Moofer comes from the independent software and hardware developer Adema Group from the Netherlands. Since its first release, it has enjoyed great popularity among owners of a VanMoof e-bike.
You can currently download Moofer from the AppStore and GooglePlay for 11.99 euros. To use the app, you still have to register. Moofer also has its own website including a privacy policy.
The Moofer app has a considerable range of functions, but professional anti-theft protection is missing.
Important note: Moofer is compatible with all VanMoof e-bikes. It doesn’t matter whether you ride a VanMoof S3, X3 or another such a great bike of the brand.
The app features of Moofer at a glance
One thing is for sure: you won’t get bored with Moofer. The app is characterised by an impressive range of functions, which is regularly supplemented with new options.
Currently, the following features stand out:
Manual switching
Normally, a VanMoof e-bike changes to the next gear automatically. With Moofer on your smartphone, you can shift manually. To do this, you use the bell and the boost button of your e-bike. If your e-bike battery gets empty during your ride, the Stranded Mode automatically switches to manual shifting.
Low Battery Alert
When your battery reaches a critical level, the Low Battery Alert warns you.
Navigation
You don’t feel like using Google Maps? Unlike the official VanMoof app, the Moofer app has a navigation function.
Smart Speed and Smart Range
Smart Speed automatically selects a support mode based on your average speed. Smart Range works in a similar way. Here, the distance is decisive for the selection.
Tuning
A central reason for the popularity of the Moofer app is the tuning function, which makes certain features of the bike accessible in regions where these features may be illegal. For instance, changing the region in which the e-bike’s software locates you allows the motor to support you up to a speed of 37 km/h (instead of 25 km/h). Whether this makes sense is a question that we will come back to later on.
Fifth support level
Are you a big fan of the boost button? Then you’ll love Moofer’s extra boost level. In this mode, your e-bike behaves as if you were constantly pressing the boost button and becomes a “very quick bike” according to some reviews. It might feel great, but it puts a lot of strain on the motor and battery.
In addition to these features, Moofer also offers various gimmicks. For example, you can choose your own bell sound from a range of alternative ringtones and bring “rowdies” to their senses with a ship’s horn. Not necessary, but so much fun. The app’s dashboard shows you important data and settings (including worldwide interactive leaderboards and cloud synced rides), also in the “eye-friendly” dark mode if desired.
Important note: Some app features of Moofer only work with older firmware versions of VanMoof. Since v1.7.6 it is no longer possible to increase the maximum speed up to which the motor supports you. VanMoof has also put a stop to the 5th support mode.
While the Moofer app is compatible with all VanMoof e-bikes, some features only work with older firmware.
How does Moofer work in practice?
The short answer is: Pretty well. This is shown by the positive reviews of the app. Especially functions like manual gear shifting or the continuous boost button are met with enthusiasm by many riders. But Adema Group has also hit a nerve with the Low Battery Alert or Smart Speed.
Connection problems seem to occur primarily on Android devices and disabling battery optimizations of the smartphone is often necessary. Moreover, the new update is still pending (October 2022), which Apple users have been looking forward to for some time.
There is also a downer: Moofer puts a heavy load on the battery of smartphones. So pack a power bank in your backpack for longer trips.
Excursus: Why tuning is not a smart idea
E-bike tuning holds great appeal for many riders. Software like Moofer makes it easy to circumvent speed limit. Simply make a few adjustments and you can ride to work at 37 km/h instead of 25 km/h.
But you may pay a high price for this pleasure. If you are stopped by the police, you will have to pay a hefty fine. If you cause an accident with a tuned e-bike, you are liable with your private assets. In the worst case, you could be even sentenced to prison.
Apart from that, e-bike tuning increases wear and tear and the risk that stricter requirements for e-bike riders will be introduced. These are the two possible reasons why VanMoof is giving Moofer a run for its money with new firmware.
In the article “E-bike tuning: possibilities and risks” we explained in detail what is allowed and what is not. It’s better to read up on it. But our conclusion is clear: Hands off e-bike tuning. If 25 km/h is not enough for you, we recommend a speed pedelec.
Theft protection and route tracking for your VanMoof – the PowUnity app
If you drive a VanMoof, you have a good choice of apps. With the official app of the manufacturer and Moofer, there are two convincing applications available.
But there is one thing neither of them offers: efficient theft protection for your e-bike. The Moofer app has no anti-theft functions at all. This is where the VanMoof app tries harder. On the one hand, you can lock and unlock your e-bike with this app, and on the other hand, it is possible to track your e-bike using Apple’s Find My network. Unfortunately, the latter is based on the crowd GPS, which we have already explained in the article of the same name and in the Apple AirTag post. Thanks to crowd GPS, items are only located if they are near another person with a Find My app. This also only works at a short distance of maximum 30 metres and as a snapshot. Finding an e-bike without independent, real GPS data? Almost impossible.
The PowUnity app is different. In combination with the BikeTrax GPS tracker, it provides you with cutting-edge theft protection with real-time tracking:
With the PowUnity app for the BikeTrax GPS tracker you benefit from best theft protection, uncomplicated route management and many other features.
Anders die PowUnity App. In Kombination mit dem GPS Tracker BikeTrax liefert sie dir einen topaktuellen Diebstahlschutz mit Echtzeitverfolgung:
First, the GPS tracker is invisibly mounted inside your e-bike motor. It sends a current location to the PowUnity app every 10 seconds.
If someone tries to tamper with your e-bike, the PowUnity app immediately alerts you on your smartphone.
If you react too late to prevent the theft, you have an excellent chance of getting your e-bike back. This is because with our GPS tracker and the PowUnity app, you can track the real-time location of your e-bike throughout Europe and send it directly to the police via the app.
In addition, the PowUnity app automatically records all your routes without you having to do anything. You can even export the recordings to Strava or Komoot.
From 2023, you will be able to access previously inaccessible features of the PowUnity app. Then you will be able to use it as a display, view speed and performance data and plan maintenance directly via the app. All of this will work in the same way as it does now – across all manufacturers. So it doesn’t matter which e-bike you ride.
Since the latest firmware updates by VanMoof, Moofer has lost two of its most popular features. Nevertheless, the app remains a strong alternative to the manufacturer’s version. After all, it offers you a number of valuable additional functions at a fair price. If you want to tap the full potential of your VanMoof e-bike, Moofer is indeed a good option.
For more independence, highly effective anti-theft protection, route tracking and more, you should consider the PowUnity app and take your e-bike experience to the next level.
Hier erklären wir dir, wie du erkennst, welche Bosch-Version des Motors in deinem E-Bike verbaut ist.
If you have a Bosch "Active Line" motor, then it is a Bosch Generation 2 or 3 motor.
Hast du dein E-Bike in den Jahren 2020 - 2021 neu gekauft und hat dieses einen „Performance Line CX“ oder „Bosch Cargo Line“ Motor, dann ist es ein Bosch-Motor Generation 4 - nicht smart.
Wenn du dein E-Bike 2022 neu gekauft hast, dann ist darin ein Bosch-Motor Generation 4 - smart verbaut. Dies erkennst du auch, wenn am E-Bike eine „LED Remote“ Steuerzentrale angebracht ist.
Sollte diese Information nicht aus der Beschreibung deines Bikes mit Bosch-Motor hervorgehen, dann bekommst du diese Information bei Deinem E-Bike Händler.
Wenn du einen BikeTrax GPS-Tracker für E-Bikes bestellst, bekommt du eine Schritt-für-Schritt-Montageanleitung mitgeliefert. Darin wird Dir im Detail erklärt, wie du deinen BikeTrax GPS-Tracker einbaust, wo du diesen platzierst und auf welche Details du achten sollest.
Wenn deine Motorhaube die Tretkurbel wie auf der Abbildung umschließt, machen wir es dir leicht: Den Kurbelabzieher kannst du im nächsten Schritt schnell und einfach mit einem Klick bestellen und er wird dir zusammen mit dem GPS-Tracker geliefert.
Nähere Informationen dazu:
Bei einigen Elektrofahrradmodellen kann die Motorabdeckung (1) erst entfernt werden, nachdem die Tretkurbel (2) mit Hilfe eines Kurbelabziehers (3) abmontiert wurde. Erst dann kannst du BikeTrax in den Motorraum einbauen.
Kann der GPS-Tracker für E-Bikes mit
-Motor auch für andere E-Bike Motormodelle verwendet werden?
Im Großteil der Fälle benötigst du nur ein anderes Anschlusskabel. Dieses kannst du im Nachhinein bei PowUnity erwerben. Lediglich in Ausnahmefällen muss der komplette GPS-Tracker bei einem Motorwechsel ausgetauscht werden.
With some e-bike models, the cover of the engine compartment (1) can only be removed after the crank (2) has been taken off with a crank puller (3). Only then can you install BikeTrax into the engine compartment.
If the cover encloses the crank, as in the illustration, we make it easy for you: You can order the crank puller with just one click when placing your order, and it will be shipped to you together with the GPS tracker.
In this case, we recommend the 8mm HexLox Security Screw:
If you need to remove your crank before you can fit the GPS tracker into the engine compartment, you can additionally secure the Allen screw (1) of your crank with an 8mm HexLox Security Screw (2).
Once the so-called HexLox inlay has been inserted into the Allen screw, nobody can open the engine compartment with standard tools, let alone remove the GPS tracker.
Für Specialized E-Bikes mit Brose Motor gibt es einen speziellen Brose-Anschluss. Wähle den „Brose für Specialized E-Bikes“ Anschluss aus, falls Du ein Specialized E-Bike fährst. Für alle anderen E-Bike Hersteller, welche einen Brose Motor verbaut haben, gibt es einen einheitlichen „Universal“ BikeTrax-Anschluss.
In these cases we recommend you the battery extension for BikeTrax:
We always supply BikeTrax with an additional battery to ensure reliable and stable GPS reception if the e-bike is switched off and the battery is removed. It lasts up to 3 weeks when stationary.
However, we recommend our customers who do not use their e-bike for a longer period of time, e.g. in the winter months or during a longer vacation, to order the battery extension for the GPS tracker. This includes another additional battery and a Y-cable to which both batteries are connected.
Wie erkenne ich, welche Bosch-Version des Motors in meinem E-Bike verbaut ist?
Hast du einen Bosch „Active Line“ Motor, dann ist es ein Bosch-Motor der Generation 2 oder 3.
Hast du dein E-Bike in den Jahren 2020 – 2021 neu gekauft und hat dieses einen „Performance Line CX“ oder „Bosch Cargo Line“ Motor, dann ist es ein Bosch-Motor Generation 4 – nicht smart.
Wenn du dein E-Bike 2022 neu gekauft hast, dann ist darin ein Bosch-Motor Generation 4 – smart verbaut. Dies erkennst du auch, wenn am E-Bike eine „LED Remote“ Steuerzentrale angebracht ist.
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If you are under 16 and wish to give consent to optional services, you must ask your legal guardians for permission.We use cookies and other technologies on our website. Some of them are essential, while others help us to improve this website and your experience.Personal data may be processed (e.g. IP addresses), for example for personalized ads and content or ad and content measurement.You can find more information about the use of your data in our privacy policy.Here you will find an overview of all cookies used. You can give your consent to entire categories or have more information displayed and only select certain cookies.