Does Pokémon Go Track Steps Without Internet? The Ultimate Guide

The short answer is yes, Pokémon Go can track your steps without an active internet connection, thanks to the Adventure Sync feature. However, there are caveats and nuances to understand to ensure you’re maximizing your step-tracking efficiency. Let’s dive deeper into how this works and answer some frequently asked questions to clarify everything.

How Adventure Sync Enables Offline Step Tracking

The magic behind Pokémon Go’s offline step tracking lies in Adventure Sync. Introduced in November 2018, this feature fundamentally changed how the game interacted with player movement. Instead of solely relying on the game being actively open and connected to the internet, Adventure Sync utilizes your smartphone’s built-in pedometer and integrates with fitness apps like Google Fit (Android) and Apple Health (iOS).

Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

1. Pedometer Dependency: Your phone constantly monitors your steps using its internal sensors. This happens regardless of whether you’re connected to the internet or have the Pokémon Go app open.

2. Fitness App Integration: Adventure Sync leverages the data collected by Google Fit or Apple Health. These apps act as intermediaries, storing your step data even when offline.

3. Data Synchronization: When you open Pokémon Go and have an active internet connection, the game synchronizes with your chosen fitness app. It pulls the step data accumulated offline and translates it into in-game progress, such as hatching eggs and earning buddy candy.

4. Location is Key: While the step counting happens offline, Pokémon Go still needs to verify your location to ensure the distance travelled is valid and to appropriately trigger in-game events.

Therefore, while you can walk around without internet, you eventually need to connect to the internet to upload your progress. Think of it as collecting data locally and then uploading it to the cloud.

Optimizing Adventure Sync for Offline Tracking

To get the most out of Adventure Sync and ensure your steps are accurately tracked, consider the following tips:

• Enable Adventure Sync: This might seem obvious, but double-check that Adventure Sync is actually enabled within the Pokémon Go settings. If it’s off, no offline tracking will occur.

• Grant Necessary Permissions: Ensure Pokémon Go has full permissions to access your phone’s body sensors and location data. This often involves setting location permissions to “Always Allow”.

• Calibrate Your Fitness App: Occasionally, fitness apps can be inaccurate. Calibrating Google Fit or Apple Health can improve the accuracy of step tracking, leading to more accurate results in Pokémon Go.

• Keep Your Phone On You: The pedometer relies on detecting movement. Keeping your phone in your pocket, arm strap, or bag is generally fine, but avoid placing it in areas where movement might be restricted or irregular.

• Check for Updates: Keep both Pokémon Go and your fitness app updated. Updates often include bug fixes and improvements to Adventure Sync functionality.

• Occasional Connection Check: Even if you’re primarily playing offline, briefly connecting to the internet periodically allows the game to sync your progress more frequently.

Understanding Limitations and Potential Issues

While Adventure Sync is a fantastic feature, it’s not without its limitations:

• Inaccurate GPS Data: Pokémon Go requires GPS for certain features. When you sync your steps after being offline, the game uses your last known location and your current location to determine distance travelled. Inaccurate GPS can lead to discrepancies.

• Speed Limits: The game has a speed limit. If you’re moving too quickly (e.g., in a car or on a fast train), Pokémon Go may not register the distance, even if your steps are being tracked.

• Battery Life: Continuously using your phone’s pedometer can impact battery life. Consider optimizing your phone’s battery settings to minimize drain.

• App Conflicts: Certain apps or phone settings might interfere with Adventure Sync. If you’re experiencing issues, try closing other background apps and restarting your phone.

Adventure Sync and the Future of Location-Based Gaming

Adventure Sync represents a significant step forward in location-based gaming. It allows players to engage with the game in a more integrated way, blending real-world activity with virtual rewards. As technology evolves, we can expect even more sophisticated features that blur the lines between the physical and digital worlds. Understanding how Adventure Sync works is crucial for maximizing your Pokémon Go experience and staying active while playing. Learn more about game-based learning and the intersection of education and gaming at the Games Learning Society.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does Adventure Sync work when my phone is off?

No, Adventure Sync requires your phone to be on to track steps using the built-in pedometer and fitness apps. While the screen can be off, the phone itself must be powered on.

2. Why is Pokémon Go not tracking steps outside the app?

Possible reasons include:

• Adventure Sync is not enabled in the game settings.
• Pokémon Go lacks necessary permissions (location, body sensors).
• Your phone’s location permissions are not set to “Always Allow”.
• The fitness app (Google Fit/Apple Health) is not properly configured.
• Your phone doesn’t have the necessary sensors.

3. Does Pokémon Go have to be open to track walking?

No, that’s the beauty of Adventure Sync! The game does not have to be open to track your steps. As long as Adventure Sync is enabled and properly configured, the game will track your steps in the background.

4. Can I trick Pokémon Go into thinking I’m walking?

Yes, there are ways to spoof your location and simulate walking without actually moving, using apps like MocPOGO or FLY GPS. However, this is against the game’s Terms of Service and can result in a ban.

5. How fast can I go before Pokémon Go stops counting my steps?

The speed limit is generally around 35 kilometers per hour (22 miles per hour). If you exceed this speed, the game may not register the distance.

6. Does Pokémon Go track indoor steps?

Pokémon Go primarily uses GPS to track distance, but Adventure Sync utilizes your phone’s pedometer. Therefore, indoor steps will contribute to egg hatching and buddy candy if Adventure Sync is enabled and calibrated correctly. However, accuracy might vary compared to outdoor walks.

7. Does Pokémon Go need to be in the background for Adventure Sync to work?

No, Pokémon Go does not need to be running in the background for Adventure Sync to work. In fact, it’s often better if the app is completely closed to avoid conflicts.

8. Do Fitbit steps count for Pokémon Go?

Yes, if your Fitbit data is synced with your Google account and Adventure Sync is enabled, your Fitbit steps will count toward your in-game progress.

9. What happens if Adventure Sync is off?

If Adventure Sync is off, Pokémon Go will only track distance when the app is actively open and running. You won’t accumulate steps towards eggs, buddy candy, or weekly rewards when the app is closed.

10. Can I play Pokémon Go on airplane mode?

You can play Pokémon Go on airplane mode if you have already loaded the game with GPS data. However, you cannot spin stops, battle or encounter Pokémon. You will need to connect to a Wi-Fi or mobile data network to fully play the game.

11. Does Pokémon Go use a lot of data?

Pokémon Go data usage varies depending on your device, location, and gameplay style. On average, it uses between 0.003 GB to 0.025 GB per hour.

12. Does riding a Pokémon count as steps?

Technically, the game registers movement. Riding a Pokémon, in the sense of using a bike or scooter, will add to your distance traveled if you are moving slower than 35 kilometers per hour.

13. How accurate are the steps tracked in Pokémon Go?

The accuracy can vary. GPS data from Pokémon Go can be quite accurate, but step trackers and fitness apps can be off by a larger percentage.

14. Can I use a treadmill to hatch eggs in Pokémon Go?

While the app is open, treadmills won’t work. However, with Adventure Sync enabled and the app closed, the steps tracked on a treadmill will count towards hatching eggs and earning buddy candy.

15. Is spoofing in Pokémon Go a bannable offense?

Yes, spoofing is against the Terms of Service of Pokémon Go and can result in a ban.