Why Is Pokémon GO Not Counting My Apple Watch Steps? An Avid Gamer‘s Troubleshooting Guide

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a hardcore Pokémon GO player who also loves my Apple Watch, I‘ve been down the frustrating road of scrambled Adventure Sync issues causing my activity to not properly count in-game. So you‘re definitely not alone!

After lots of experimenting and searching forums, I‘ve discovered some tips that can hopefully get your Apple Health and Pokémon GO data flow fixed, bringing sweet earned candy and hatch progress from your real-world movement.

How Does Adventure Sync Actually Sync From Apple Watch to iPhone to Pokémon GO?

First, let‘s quickly outline what should happen when Adventure Sync is activated in Pokémon GO‘s settings:

  1. Apple Watch fitness sensors and GPS track number of steps taken, distance, calories etc. during activities like walking or running.

  2. This motion and workout data syncs from Apple Watch to the Apple Health app on your paired iPhone via direct Bluetooth connection.

  3. The Pokémon GO app pulls data from Apple Health through API calls granted permission in your iPhone Privacy Settings for Motion & Fitness data access.

  4. Algorithms in Pokémon GO analyze the raw step and distance numbers to convert them into game progress like Candy and buddy walking distance.

So in essence, Apple Watch talks to iPhone talks to Pokémon GO. Breakdowns can happen at each transition point in that fitness data flow.

Top Recommended Troubleshooting Tips for Non-Counting Apple Watch Steps

If your Pokémon GO Adventure Sync has mysteriously stopped converting Apple Watch steps, I‘d recommend methodically working through troubleshooting by process of elimination:

1. Check All Apps Have Updated Permissions and Are Running Latest Versions

  • On your iPhone, ensure Pokémon GO and Apple Health have full access permissions enabled for fitness/motion data and notifications in iOS Settings > Privacy and Settings > Health.
  • Check that Pokémon GO, Apple Health and Apple Watch OS are fully updated to the latest versions.

2. Re-Pair the Apple Watch and iPhone to Refresh Connectivity

  • On your iPhone, go into the Watch app > Unpair Apple Watch > Pair Again As New Watch
  • Enable "Sync Contacts" during pairing
  • Force close Watch app after paring and re-launch

3. Toggle Adventure Sync Off and On While Apps Are Foregrounded

  • Open Pokémon GO and connect it to Apple Health via Adventure Sync if not already linked
  • Open Apple Health > Health Data > Fitness Calendars to check step data is recording
  • With both apps open and foregrounded, turn Adventure Sync off, force close and clear cache on Pokémon GO app, toggle Adventure Sync back on in settings

4. Fully Log Out Then Log Back Into All Apps Fresh

  • Log out then log back into Pokémon GO, Apple Health, Apple Watch iPhone Bluetooth pairing
  • When logging in, start with Apple Health first, then Pokémon GO

Based on fellow gamer reports, this full reset sequence often seems to do the trick.

5. Check iPhone-Apple Watch Connectivity and GPS Function

If sync issues persist, take a look at hardware-related factors:

  • Ensure iPhone and Apple Watch show connected via Bluetooth in Watch app and watch settings
  • Toggle Bluetooth itself off/on in iPhone settings
  • Enable/disable Airplane mode briefly at phone level
  • In privacy settings, check GPS and Location Services enabled for Pokémon GO with permissions Allowed While Using App
  • Toggle location accuracy Between High and Device Only
  • Fully reset iPhone Network Settings

GPS and Bluetooth stability between your iPhone and Apple Watch are vital for solid syncing.

6. Fall Back to Third Party Workout App Writing Data to Apple Health

As a last resort, install a dedicated workout tracking app on your Apple Watch like Runkeeper, Strava, or NRC and grant permission to write data like steps and distance to the Apple Health app on your iPhone. Workouts logged here should count in Pokémon GO via Adventure Sync as a alternative data path.

Syncing Steps is a Journey – You‘ll Get There!

Getting seamless syncing between your Apple Watch, iPhone, and Pokémon GO can definitely be tricky. As a fellow avid player heavily reliant on Adventure Sync rewards from my daily movement, I empathize with how downright frustrating it is when things break without clear cause.

But don‘t give up hope – with methodical troubleshooting through connectivity and app stability factors, there are absolutely solutions to revive proper step counting. And the freedom to rack up in-game progress without phone in hand is so worth it! You‘ve got this.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

Similar Posts