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Why Is Pokémon GO Not Syncing? Troubleshooting Adventure Sync & More

Pokémon GO’s Adventure Sync is a fantastic feature, allowing you to rack up distance, hatch eggs, and earn rewards even when the app isn’t actively open. However, it can be frustrating when it malfunctions. The most common reasons Pokémon GO isn’t syncing are related to app permissions, network connectivity, outdated app versions, or conflicts with your device’s fitness tracking data. Addressing each of these potential issues will usually restore proper syncing functionality.

Understanding Adventure Sync and Its Importance

Adventure Sync is a feature that links Pokémon GO to your device’s built-in fitness tracking apps like Apple Health (iOS) and Google Fit (Android). This integration allows the game to track your distance even when the app is closed, leading to a range of benefits, including:

Egg Hatching: Incubate and hatch Pokémon eggs without constant app usage.
Buddy Candy: Earn candy for your buddy Pokémon simply by walking around.
Weekly Rewards: Accumulate distance throughout the week and earn rewards at certain milestones.

Common Causes of Syncing Issues

Several factors can contribute to syncing problems. Let’s delve into each and explore potential solutions.

1. App Permissions

The most frequent culprit behind syncing issues is incorrect or revoked app permissions. Pokémon GO needs access to your location and fitness data to function correctly with Adventure Sync.

For Android: Go to your device’s Settings > Apps & notifications > Pokémon GO > Permissions. Ensure that Location and Physical activity permissions are enabled and set to “Allow all the time” if location access is required.
For iOS: Navigate to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and make sure Pokémon GO is set to “Always”. Then, go to Settings > Health > Pokémon GO and ensure all categories, especially Steps and Walking + Running Distance, are enabled.

2. Network Connectivity

A stable internet connection is crucial for Pokémon GO to communicate with servers and sync data. If your connection is weak or intermittent, Adventure Sync might fail to update properly.

Troubleshooting: Try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data to see if the issue resolves. Also, verify that your internet speed is sufficient for the game to function without interruptions. Restarting your router can sometimes fix underlying network problems.

3. Outdated App Version

Using an outdated version of Pokémon GO can cause various issues, including syncing problems. Developers frequently release updates that include bug fixes and improvements to features like Adventure Sync.

Solution: Visit the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) to check for available updates for Pokémon GO. Install any updates and restart the app to see if the syncing problem is resolved.

4. Background App Refresh/Data Saver

Background App Refresh (iOS) and Data Saver (Android) settings can restrict Pokémon GO from syncing data in the background. These settings are designed to conserve battery and data usage, but they can interfere with Adventure Sync.

Android: Go to Settings > Connections > Data Usage > Data Saver and make sure Pokémon GO is whitelisted or disabled from data saving. For Battery Saver, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization and set Pokémon GO to “Don’t optimize”.
iOS: Navigate to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and ensure it’s enabled for Pokémon GO.

5. Device Settings and Compatibility

Sometimes, device-specific settings or hardware limitations can affect Adventure Sync. Older devices or those with limited resources may struggle to maintain a consistent connection with fitness tracking apps.

Check Device Compatibility: While Pokémon GO is compatible with a wide range of devices, it’s essential to ensure your device meets the minimum system requirements.
Restart Your Device: A simple device restart can often resolve temporary glitches that might be interfering with syncing.

6. Conflicting Fitness Data

If you use multiple fitness tracking apps simultaneously, they might conflict with each other and interfere with Pokémon GO‘s ability to accurately sync data.

Resolution: Consider disabling or uninstalling other fitness tracking apps to see if the syncing issue resolves. Focus on using either Apple Health or Google Fit as your primary fitness tracking app.

7. Adventure Sync Activation

It may seem obvious, but ensure that Adventure Sync is actually turned on!

To activate Adventure Sync:
1. Tap the Main Menu button.
2. Tap the Settings button.
3. Tap General.
4. Tap on Adventure Sync. You’ll be prompted to grant permission for Pokémon GO to access your Apple Health or Google Fit data.

Advanced Troubleshooting Steps

If the above solutions don’t resolve the issue, consider these advanced steps:

Reinstall Pokémon GO: Uninstalling and reinstalling the app can often fix deeper software-related problems. Make sure to back up any important data before uninstalling.
Clear App Cache: Clearing the app’s cache can remove corrupted files that might be interfering with syncing. For Android, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Pokémon GO > Storage > Clear Cache.
Contact Pokémon GO Support: If all else fails, contact Pokémon GO support for assistance. They may be able to provide specific solutions or investigate underlying issues with your account.

FAQs: Addressing Common Concerns

Here are frequently asked questions regarding sync issues with Pokémon GO.

1. Why is Pokémon GO not tracking my steps accurately?

Inaccurate step tracking can be caused by several factors, including incorrect app permissions, a weak internet connection, or conflicts with other fitness tracking apps. Ensure that Pokémon GO has the necessary permissions to access your location and fitness data, maintain a stable internet connection, and avoid using multiple fitness tracking apps simultaneously.

2. Does Pokémon GO need to be open for Adventure Sync to work?

No, one of the key advantages of Adventure Sync is that Pokémon GO doesn’t need to be open. The game tracks your distance via your device’s fitness tracking apps (Apple Health or Google Fit) even when the app is closed.

3. Will Pokémon GO track distance on a treadmill?

While Pokémon GO won’t track distance in real-time with the app open on a treadmill, Adventure Sync can still track your steps if you close the game and rely on your device’s fitness tracking data.

4. What is the Adventure Sync distance limit?

The Adventure Sync system caps out at 50 km per week. Walking further than 50 km will not earn additional rewards.

5. Does Adventure Sync work without GPS?

Yes, Adventure Sync can work without GPS enabled since it primarily relies on the step-tracking functionality of Apple Health or Google Fit. However, it’s important to note that GPS can provide more accurate location data for certain game features.

6. How fast can you go in Pokémon GO before it stops counting?

Pokémon GO has a speed limit to prevent players from gaining unfair advantages while driving or riding in vehicles. The maximum speed is approximately 6.5 mph (10.46 km/h).

7. Can you trick Pokémon GO into thinking you are walking?

While some players attempt to use GPS spoofing or other methods to fake movement, these methods are against the game’s terms of service and can result in account penalties, including temporary or permanent bans.

8. What apps sync with Pokémon GO?

Pokémon GO syncs with Apple Health (iOS) and Google Fit (Android). These apps collect fitness data from your device and share it with Pokémon GO for Adventure Sync to function.

9. How do I guarantee egg moves in Pokémon?

This question refers to the main series Pokémon games, not Pokémon GO. In those games, players can teach Pokémon egg moves by breeding a male Pokémon of one species with a female of a different species.

10. Is it worth keeping a Pokémon in a gym?

Yes, keeping a Pokémon in a gym can earn you PokéCoins, which are valuable in-game currency. The longer your Pokémon defends the gym, the more PokéCoins you can earn.

11. What happens if I have multiple devices syncing to the same Pokémon GO account?

Using multiple devices with the same account can sometimes cause syncing issues. It’s best to stick to a single device to ensure consistent tracking and avoid potential conflicts.

12. Why is my Pokémon GO app draining my battery even with Adventure Sync?

Even with Adventure Sync enabled, Pokémon GO can still drain your battery due to background processes and data usage. Optimizing your device’s battery settings, such as enabling battery saver mode or limiting background app activity, can help mitigate this issue.

13. Can I manually input steps into Apple Health or Google Fit to affect Pokémon GO?

While you can manually input steps into Apple Health or Google Fit, Pokémon GO may not always recognize or count these steps accurately. The game’s algorithms are designed to detect genuine movement and may filter out manually entered data.

14. What kind of activities does Adventure Sync track besides walking?

Niantic has confirmed that Adventure Sync is primarily focused on walking. While activities like running might be tracked, cycling or other forms of transportation are generally not accurately reflected in the game.

15. Where can I learn more about the impact of games on learning and engagement?

For further insights into the educational aspects of games, explore the resources available at the GamesLearningSociety.org website. They offer valuable information about how games can be used for learning. You can also go to https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to learn more.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting Pokémon GO syncing issues can be a multi-faceted process. By systematically addressing potential causes, from app permissions to network connectivity, you can usually resolve the problem and get back to hatching eggs and earning rewards seamlessly. Don’t hesitate to explore community forums and support channels for additional tips and solutions.

Why is Pokemon Go not syncing?