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Do Phone Swings Work for Pokemon Go? The Truth About Egg Hatching and Adventure Sync

Yes, phone swings and similar devices can trick Pokemon Go into registering steps, especially when used in conjunction with the game’s Adventure Sync feature. However, it’s a controversial method, skirting the line between clever optimization and outright cheating. While it might help you hatch eggs and earn candies without physically walking, there are nuances and potential risks to consider before investing in one of these gadgets. Let’s dive into the details.

How Phone Swings Exploit Adventure Sync

The premise behind using phone swings is simple: Pokemon Go’s Adventure Sync relies on your phone’s motion sensors and Google Fit (on Android) or Apple Health (on iOS) to track your movement. These services register steps even when the game isn’t actively open, allowing you to passively accumulate distance. A phone swing provides consistent, repetitive motion, simulating the act of walking and thereby inflating your step count.

To make this work effectively:

Enable Adventure Sync: This is crucial. You’ll find it in Pokemon Go’s settings.
Force Stop Pokemon Go: This prevents the game from directly detecting your location, forcing it to rely solely on Adventure Sync data. Don’t leave the game running in the background.
Proper Placement: Securely place your phone in the swing. A loose fit can lead to inaccurate step tracking or, worse, damage to your device.
Adjust Google Fit Settings (Android): Some users recommend setting Google Fit to “treadmill mode” to potentially enhance step detection. However, the effectiveness of this varies.
Patience: After the swinging is complete, open Pokemon Go and wait 10-20 seconds for the game to sync with Adventure Sync data.

The Ethical Dilemma: Is It Cheating?

The use of phone swings raises ethical questions within the Pokemon Go community. While not technically hacking the game, it’s certainly bending the rules. Some players view it as a harmless way to overcome physical limitations or time constraints, while others consider it an unfair advantage that undermines the game’s intended experience of exploration and physical activity. Games Learning Society is a good place to learn more about the intersection of gaming and social behavior.

The Risks of Using Phone Swings

Beyond the ethical considerations, there are practical risks associated with phone swings:

Account Bans: Niantic, the developer of Pokemon Go, actively combats cheating. While there’s no concrete evidence of widespread bans specifically for using phone swings, consistently accumulating unusually high distances could raise red flags and potentially trigger a warning or suspension.
Inaccurate Tracking: Phone swings aren’t foolproof. The accuracy of step tracking depends on the device, the swing’s mechanism, and even the phone’s placement. You might not always get the expected distance.
Device Damage: Constantly subjecting your phone to repetitive motion can potentially wear down internal components or cause damage, especially if the swing isn’t properly designed or if the phone isn’t securely fastened.
Time Investment: While you’re not physically walking, setting up the phone swing, monitoring its progress, and syncing the data still requires time. Depending on your goals, this time might be better spent on other aspects of the game.

Alternatives to Phone Swings

If you’re looking for ways to hatch eggs and earn candies without resorting to phone swings, consider these alternatives:

Walking: The most obvious, and intended, method! Explore your neighborhood, visit parks, and incorporate Pokemon Go into your daily routine.
Indoor Activities: Activities like dancing, shadow boxing, or even using a treadmill can contribute to your step count.
Utilizing a Roomba: Carefully securing your phone to a Roomba can simulate movement, but ensure it’s done safely to avoid damage.
Wheelchair Mode: Pokemon Go offers integration with Apple Watch for wheelchair users, counting wheelchair travel as steps.
Play with Friends: Interacting with friends in the game (trading gifts, battling in raids) increases your friendship level, unlocking bonuses and rewards.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use a phone swing is a personal one. Weigh the potential benefits against the ethical considerations, risks, and available alternatives before making a choice. Remember that Pokemon Go is designed to encourage exploration and physical activity, and while phone swings might offer a shortcut, they also detract from the core experience. You can find more insights on the psychology behind gaming at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Adventure Sync, and how does it work?

Adventure Sync is a Pokemon Go feature that allows the game to track your distance walked even when the app is closed. It uses your phone’s motion sensors and integrates with Google Fit (Android) or Apple Health (iOS) to record your steps and distance traveled. This data is then synced with Pokemon Go, allowing you to hatch eggs, earn buddy candies, and complete research tasks without having the game constantly open.

2. Can Niantic detect if I’m using a phone swing?

While Niantic hasn’t explicitly stated that they can detect phone swings, consistently accumulating unusually high distances over short periods might raise suspicion and potentially lead to a warning or ban. It’s best to use these methods in moderation.

3. Will shaking my phone by hand work instead of a phone swing?

Shaking your phone by hand can register as steps, but it’s generally less effective and more tiring than using a phone swing. The consistency and duration of the motion provided by a swing tend to yield better results.

4. Does location spoofing work in Pokemon Go?

Location spoofing is the act of using third-party apps to trick Pokemon Go into thinking you’re in a different location. This is a clear violation of Niantic’s terms of service and can result in permanent account bans. It’s strongly discouraged.

5. Can I use multiple devices with Adventure Sync on the same account?

You can only have one active Adventure Sync source connected to your Pokemon Go account at a time. If you switch between devices (e.g., phone and smartwatch), ensure you’ve properly disconnected the previous device to avoid conflicting data.

6. How accurate is Adventure Sync compared to actual walking?

Adventure Sync’s accuracy can vary, depending on your phone’s sensors, the way you carry it, and the surrounding environment. Generally, it’s reasonably accurate, but discrepancies can occur.

7. What are some legal and ethical ways to hatch eggs faster?

Focus on maximizing your walking efficiency by planning routes that cover the most ground in the shortest time, utilizing events that offer egg hatching bonuses, and using Super Incubators to reduce the required distance. Remember that friendship levels will also assist the hatching process.

8. Why isn’t Adventure Sync tracking my distance properly?

Common causes for Adventure Sync issues include:

Adventure Sync not being enabled in Pokemon Go’s settings.
Incorrect permissions granted to Pokemon Go in your phone’s settings (location, physical activity).
Battery saving modes interfering with background activity.
Issues with Google Fit (Android) or Apple Health (iOS).

9. Can I hatch eggs while biking?

Yes, you can hatch eggs while biking, but Pokemon Go has a speed limit. If you’re traveling too fast, the distance won’t be recorded.

10. Does driving count towards egg hatching in Pokemon Go?

Similar to biking, driving too fast will prevent distance from being tracked. The game is designed to encourage walking, so it has a speed cap to prevent players from hatching eggs while driving.

11. What is the maximum speed for egg hatching in Pokemon Go?

The estimated maximum speed for egg hatching is around 10.5 kilometers per hour (6.5 miles per hour). Exceeding this speed will prevent distance from being tracked.

12. Can I hatch eggs on a treadmill?

Yes, walking on a treadmill counts towards egg hatching. However, ensure that Adventure Sync is enabled and that your phone is tracking your steps accurately.

13. Will my phone count steps if it’s in my pocket or bag?

Your phone will typically count steps when it’s in your pocket or bag, as long as the motion sensors are active and Adventure Sync is enabled. However, accuracy may vary depending on how securely the phone is held.

14. Does Pokemon Go drain my battery when Adventure Sync is active?

Adventure Sync is designed to minimize battery drain compared to having the game constantly open. However, it will still consume some battery power as it uses your phone’s sensors and background processes.

15. How do I report a suspected cheater in Pokemon Go?

You can report suspected cheaters through Niantic’s support channels. Provide as much detail as possible, including the player’s username and any evidence you have of their cheating behavior.

Do phone swings work for Pokemon Go?