What Walking App Works Best With Pokémon GO?
The best walking app to use with Pokémon GO is Google Fit (for Android) or Apple Health (for iOS), when Adventure Sync is enabled in the game’s settings. Adventure Sync allows Pokémon GO to track your distance even when the app is closed, using the data from these native fitness tracking apps on your phone. This saves battery life and still allows you to hatch eggs, earn candy with your buddy Pokémon, and complete research tasks.
Understanding Adventure Sync and Its Benefits
Pokémon GO relies on tracking your movement in the real world to progress in the game. This is fundamental to hatching eggs, earning buddy candy, completing research tasks, and participating in events. However, keeping the Pokémon GO app constantly open can drain your battery quickly. That’s where Adventure Sync comes in.
Adventure Sync is a feature within Pokémon GO that leverages the data from your device’s native fitness tracking app – Google Fit on Android devices and Apple Health on iOS devices. When activated, Pokémon GO periodically pulls movement data from these apps to calculate the distance you’ve walked, even when the game is not actively running in the foreground.
The benefits are significant:
- Conserved Battery Life: By not requiring the app to be constantly open, Adventure Sync dramatically reduces battery consumption.
- Accurate Tracking: Google Fit and Apple Health use sophisticated algorithms and sensors to accurately track your steps and distance traveled, providing more reliable data than relying solely on Pokémon GO’s in-game tracking.
- Background Progress: You can make progress in the game even when you’re not actively playing. This is perfect for incorporating Pokémon GO into your daily routine, such as walking to work or taking the dog for a walk.
Setting Up Adventure Sync
Configuring Adventure Sync is straightforward:
- Open Pokémon GO: Launch the app on your mobile device.
- Access Settings: Tap the Main Menu button (the Poké Ball icon at the bottom).
- Go to General: Tap the Settings button (the gear icon at the top right). Then, tap General.
- Enable Adventure Sync: Tap on Adventure Sync. You’ll be prompted to grant Pokémon GO permission to access your Google Fit (Android) or Apple Health (iOS) data. Accept the permissions.
Once Adventure Sync is enabled, Pokémon GO will begin pulling data from your chosen fitness app. Make sure that Google Fit or Apple Health are properly tracking your activity, too, and have the correct permissions.
Exploring Alternative Walking Apps
While Google Fit and Apple Health are the primary apps supported by Adventure Sync, you can indirectly integrate data from other fitness trackers and apps:
- Fitbit: Fitbit doesn’t directly connect to Pokémon GO’s Adventure Sync. To use Fitbit data with Pokémon GO, you need to connect Fitbit to either Google Fit or Apple Health. Several third-party apps can bridge the gap between Fitbit and these platforms, allowing your Fitbit data to be imported.
- Other Fitness Trackers: Most other fitness trackers sync data to either Google Fit or Apple Health. Therefore, ensure your tracker is connected to one of these platforms to ensure the distance is properly tracked by Pokémon GO.
Considerations When Choosing a Walking App
When selecting a walking app to use with Pokémon GO (indirectly via Google Fit or Apple Health), consider the following factors:
- Accuracy: The app’s ability to accurately track your steps and distance.
- Battery Consumption: The app’s impact on your device’s battery life.
- User Interface: The app’s ease of use and intuitive design.
- Compatibility: The app’s compatibility with your fitness tracker and operating system.
- Privacy: The app’s privacy policy and how it handles your personal data.
Understanding the Ethical Implications and Risks
While leveraging walking apps and Adventure Sync to enhance your Pokémon GO experience is perfectly legitimate, be wary of methods that involve location spoofing or other forms of cheating. Using such methods violates Pokémon GO’s Terms of Service and can result in account suspension or permanent bans. Additionally, downloading third-party “spoofer” apps often comes with risks to your device and personal data, including malware and privacy breaches.
For those interested in learning more about the social aspects of gaming, consider visiting the GamesLearningSociety.org website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does Shaking My Phone Count Steps in Pokémon GO?
Shaking your phone might register some steps, but it’s not a reliable or accurate way to progress in Pokémon GO. Adventure Sync is the recommended method for tracking distance without actively playing the game. Shaking the phone does not give consistent results.
2. Can I Walk on a Treadmill with Pokémon GO?
Treadmills alone won’t register distance with the game open. However, if you close the game and Adventure Sync is enabled, the steps tracked by your phone or connected fitness tracker while on the treadmill will count towards your progress. Remember Adventure Sync depends on Google Fit or Apple Health.
3. How Accurate Are Pokémon GO Steps?
Pokémon GO’s step tracking accuracy can vary. Studies have shown it to be reasonably accurate when compared to dedicated GPS devices. The accuracy depends on the quality of your phone’s GPS signal and the effectiveness of Google Fit or Apple Health in tracking your movement. Factors like walking speed and terrain can affect accuracy.
4. How Do I Connect My Fitness Tracker to Pokémon GO?
Direct connections aren’t always available. You connect your fitness tracker to either Google Fit (Android) or Apple Health (iOS), and then enable Adventure Sync in Pokémon GO to pull data from those apps. This indirectly uses your tracker’s data for Pokémon GO progress.
5. Can I Get Banned for Spoofing in Pokémon GO?
Yes, you can absolutely get banned for spoofing your location in Pokémon GO. Spoofing is a violation of the game’s Terms of Service, and Niantic actively detects and punishes players who engage in this practice. Bans can range from temporary suspensions to permanent account termination.
6. What Speed Does Pokémon GO Count as Walking?
Pokémon GO typically tracks distance accurately up to a speed of around 10.5 kilometers per hour (6.5 miles per hour). If you travel faster than this, the game may discount the distance or not track it at all. This is to prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage by using vehicles.
7. Can You Hatch Eggs in Pokémon GO Without the App Open?
Yes, you can hatch eggs without the app open by enabling Adventure Sync. Adventure Sync allows Pokémon GO to track your distance in the background, using data from Google Fit or Apple Health. As long as you have Adventure Sync enabled and your fitness app is tracking your activity, your distance will count toward hatching eggs, even with the game closed.
8. Does Pokémon GO Work in a Wheelchair?
Yes, Pokémon GO is designed to be accessible to players who use wheelchairs. The game counts wheelchair travel in the same way it counts steps. Wheelchair users can integrate with Apple Watch to more accurately track distance, too.
9. How Do You Get Unlimited Poké Balls in Pokémon GO?
There is no legitimate way to get unlimited Poké Balls in Pokémon GO. However, you can obtain a steady supply of Poké Balls through various in-game methods, such as:
- Spinning PokéStops and Gyms: Visiting and spinning Photo Discs at PokéStops and Gyms is the primary way to obtain Poké Balls.
- Completing Research Tasks: Many research tasks reward you with Poké Balls upon completion.
- Opening Gifts: Friends can send you gifts that often contain Poké Balls.
- Weekly Rewards for Walking: Adventure Sync rewards you with items, including Poké Balls, based on the distance you walk each week.
- Leveling Up: You receive rewards, including Poké Balls, when you level up your Trainer.
- Buying with PokéCoins: You can purchase Poké Balls from the in-game shop using PokéCoins.
10. How Do I Make Pokémon GO Walk Without Moving?
While there are ways to make the game think you are walking without physically moving (e.g., phone swinging devices), these methods are risky and can lead to a ban. Adventure Sync with a proper walking app is the safe and intended way to track your movement.
11. What Is a Pokémon GO Auto Walker App?
A Pokémon GO auto walker app is a tool designed to simulate walking in the game without the player physically moving. These apps often use location spoofing or other methods to trick the game into thinking you are walking, allowing you to hatch eggs, earn buddy candy, and complete research tasks without leaving your house. These apps violate Niantic’s Terms of Service.
12. How to Trick Pokémon Go walking 2023?
In 2023, the methods for tricking Pokémon Go into thinking you’re walking remain similar, but Niantic’s detection methods have become more sophisticated. Common approaches include using location spoofing apps or physical phone-shaking devices. The risks of being caught and banned remain high, and the game may become less fun if you do not actually leave your house.
13. How Do You Walk Around in Pokémon GO Without Walking iPhone?
For iPhone users, you can use apps that change your GPS location. However, these are still subject to Niantic’s detection methods. Adventure Sync and actually walking are recommended, but not required.
14. Can Fitbit Track Pokémon Go?
Fitbit cannot directly track with Pokemon GO, but you can connect to Google Fit or Apple Health which will track with Adventure Sync. You will need to download third-party apps that bridge Fitbit and Apple Health.
15. How to hack Pokemon Go walking?
Hacking Pokemon Go walking is ill advised. Using location spoofer will lead to your account getting banned, as well as potentially exposing yourself to malware.
By leveraging Adventure Sync and a compatible walking app, you can effectively enhance your Pokémon GO experience while staying true to the spirit of the game. Remember to prioritize safety and ethical gameplay to ensure a rewarding and enjoyable journey as a Pokémon Trainer!