Have you ever wanted to hatch eggs and earn candy in Pokémon Go while walking on a treadmill indoors? Many players ask if this is possible, and the answer is a clear yes. You can effectively use Pokemon Go on a treadmill, but it requires a specific method that differs from outdoor play.
This guide will walk you through the exact steps to make it work reliably. The key is understanding and setting up Adventure Sync correctly, which allows your indoor steps to count in the game. We will cover everything from the basic setup to advanced troubleshooting for both iPhone and Android users.
Using Pokémon Go on a Treadmill
Yes, you can use Pokémon Go on a treadmill to hatch eggs and earn buddy candy, but only under one crucial condition. You must use the Adventure Sync feature with the Pokémon Go app completely closed during your workout. This is the golden rule for treadmill success.
When the app is open, it relies on GPS to measure your movement. Since a treadmill keeps you in one place, GPS shows no location change, and no distance is recorded. Adventure Sync bypasses this by using your phone’s motion sensors instead of GPS.
With Adventure Sync enabled and the app closed, your phone tracks your steps and movement internally. Later, when you reopen Pokémon Go, it imports this data from your phone’s health app. This process turns your treadmill walking into measurable distance for your eggs and buddy.
How Adventure Sync Connects Your Treadmill to the Game
Adventure Sync acts as a bridge between your physical activity and the game. It works through a simple two-step process that happens automatically in the background. Understanding this removes the confusion about why treadmills can work.
First, your phone measures the workout using its built-in motion sensors. These sensors, like the accelerometer and gyroscope, detect steps and movement patterns whenever your phone is on you, such as in your pocket or on your arm.
This sensor data is then logged in your device’s native health application. For iPhones, this is Apple Health. For Android phones, it is Google Fit. These apps continuously record your step count and general activity throughout the day.
Second, Adventure Sync imports this data into Pokémon Go. When you enable Adventure Sync in the game’s settings, you give it permission to securely read activity data from your health app. The game does not need to be open for this data collection to occur.
After your treadmill session, when you launch Pokémon Go again, it requests the accumulated distance from your health app. The game then applies this distance to your eggs and buddy candy progress. This method does not use GPS at all, which is why treadmill movement can count.
Setting Up Adventure Sync for Treadmill Walking
To make treadmill walking count in Pokémon Go, you must set up Adventure Sync properly. The setup differs slightly between iOS and Android devices due to their different health ecosystems. Follow these step-by-step instructions for your device.
For iPhone and Apple Health Users
If you use an iPhone, your health data is managed by the Apple Health app. You need to ensure that Pokémon Go has the correct permissions to access this data. Here is the precise sequence to follow.
- Open your iPhone’s Settings app and scroll down to “Pokémon Go”. Tap on it to view the app permissions.
- Select “Location” and set it to “Always”. This is critical for Adventure Sync to work in the background. The “While Using the App” setting is not sufficient for treadmill tracking.
- Now, open the Pokémon Go app. Tap your profile picture in the bottom left to access the main menu.
- Scroll down and tap “Settings”. Then, find and tap “Adventure Sync”. You will see an option to connect to Apple Health.
- Tap “Turn On” and grant all requested permissions. This allows Pokémon Go to read and write data from Apple Health.
- As a final check, open the Apple Health app. Go to the “Browse” tab, then “Activity”, and select “Steps”. Ensure that your iPhone is listed as a data source and is recording steps.
The most important step after this setup is to completely close the Pokémon Go app before starting your treadmill walk. Swipe it away from your recent apps to ensure it is not running in the background.
For Android and Google Fit Users
Android devices use Google Fit as the primary health platform. You must have Google Fit installed and configured for Adventure Sync to function. Follow these steps carefully.
- First, install Google Fit from the Google Play Store if you do not already have it. Open the app and complete the basic setup, granting it necessary permissions to track physical activity.
- Open the Pokémon Go app on your Android device. Tap your profile picture to open the menu, then go to “Settings”.
- Find and tap “Adventure Sync”. You will see an option to connect to Google Fit. Tap “Turn On” or “Connect”.
- You will be redirected to Google Fit to sign in and grant permissions. Allow Pokémon Go to access your fitness data from Google Fit.
- Return to Pokémon Go and ensure Adventure Sync shows as enabled. You can also open Google Fit to verify it is tracking your steps and movement.
Just like with iPhone, you must fully close the Pokémon Go app before walking on the treadmill. Use your device’s app switcher to force stop the app, ensuring it is not active.
Once set up, the process is the same for both platforms. Keep your phone on you, start your treadmill workout with the app closed, and after you finish, reopen Pokémon Go to see your distance update.
Critical Variables and Troubleshooting
Even with a correct setup, sometimes distance may not sync immediately or fully. This section covers the advanced factors that affect accuracy and provides a clear path to fix common problems. Knowing these variables turns occasional success into consistent results.
Device Placement and Accuracy
Where you keep your phone during the workout influences how well the sensors track your steps. For the best accuracy, carry your phone in a pocket or attached to your arm with a band.
Placing it on a treadmill tray or cup holder often leads to undercounting. The sensors need to move with your body to detect the rhythm of walking or running. A pocket on your hip or leg provides the most reliable motion data.
Syncing Triggers and Delays
Adventure Sync does not always update instantly. The sync often happens when you reopen the Pokémon Go app after your workout. However, other actions can prompt a sync, like connecting to a Wi-Fi network or simply waiting a few minutes.
If your distance does not appear immediately, do not panic. It can take 5 to 10 minutes for the data to process and transfer from your health app to the game. Be patient and avoid reopening the app repeatedly, as this might not help.
Troubleshooting Checklist
If your treadmill steps are not counting in Pokémon Go, work through this ordered list to diagnose the issue. Start from the top and check each point.
- Ensure Pokémon Go is fully closed. Do not just minimize it; force stop the app from your device’s app settings or recent apps menu.
- Verify your health app is recording steps during the workout. Open Apple Health or Google Fit while walking to see if the step count increases.
- Check all permissions. On iPhone, Location Services for Pokémon Go must be “Always”, not “While Using”. On Android, ensure Google Fit has activity tracking enabled.
- Disable battery saver modes. Both your phone’s system battery saver and the battery saver inside Pokémon Go can interfere with Adventure Sync. Turn them off before your workout.
- Wait after your workout. After finishing, wait 5-10 minutes before reopening Pokémon Go. This allows time for data to sync from the health app to the game.
- Look for conflicts with other devices. If you use an Apple Watch or other wearables, ensure they are not interfering. Sometimes, having multiple activity trackers can confuse the data source.
Following this checklist solves most problems. Remember, Adventure Sync relies on the connection between two apps, so a small setting in either can break the chain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does walking faster on the treadmill earn more distance?
Not necessarily. Pokémon Go and health apps primarily track steps, not speed. Walking faster might increase your step count slightly, but running can sometimes cause fewer steps to be recorded if your phone’s sensors cannot accurately detect the motion. A steady walking pace is often most reliable for counting distance.
Can I use a stationary bike or elliptical trainer with this method?
Yes, the same Adventure Sync method can work for stationary bikes and ellipticals, but results vary. These activities often produce less pronounced motion than walking, so your phone might not log as many steps. Placing your phone securely on your body can help, but distance earned is typically lower compared to treadmill walking.
My health app shows steps, but Pokémon Go does not. What do I do?
This usually indicates a sync issue. First, ensure you waited 5-10 minutes after your workout. Then, try forcing a sync by completely closing both Pokémon Go and your health app, then reopening them. Also, double-check that Adventure Sync is still enabled in Pokémon Go’s settings and all permissions are granted.
Do I need to keep my phone in my pocket, or can it be on the treadmill tray?
You should keep your phone in your pocket or on your arm for the best results. The treadmill tray does not move with your body, so the motion sensors cannot detect steps properly. This often leads to little or no distance being recorded, even if you are walking for a long time.
Will this work if my treadmill has a built-in screen or Bluetooth that connects to an app?
Probably not directly. Pokémon Go Adventure Sync only reads data from your phone’s native health app or Google Fit/Apple Health. Unless your treadmill app can write workout data directly into these health platforms, the steps will not transfer to Pokémon Go. Stick with using your phone’s own sensors for reliability.
Does battery saver mode on my phone affect Adventure Sync?
Yes, battery saver modes can disrupt Adventure Sync. These modes often limit background data and app activity to save power, which prevents your health app from tracking steps or Pokémon Go from syncing data. Always turn off battery saver on your device and within the Pokémon Go app before using Adventure Sync on a treadmill.
How long does it take for my treadmill distance to appear in Pokémon Go?
It usually appears within a few minutes of reopening the app after your workout. However, delays of 5 to 10 minutes are common. Sometimes, it might sync after you connect to Wi-Fi or when the game checks for updates. If it does not show after 15 minutes, refer to the troubleshooting checklist.
Can I have other fitness apps running while doing this?
Yes, you can have other fitness apps running, but be cautious. Some apps might compete for sensor data or cause conflicts. As long as Pokémon Go is closed and your primary health app is recording steps, other apps should not interfere. However, for simplicity, it is best to only rely on your device’s built-in health tracking during the workout.
Why do some of my treadmill steps count, but not all of them?
This is often due to sensor inaccuracy or syncing issues. Your phone’s sensors might not detect every step, especially if the phone is not moving optimally. Also, Adventure Sync might not import 100% of the recorded distance due to how the game calculates and rounds data. Consistent device placement helps maximize the count.
Is using Pokémon Go on a treadmill considered cheating?
No, it is not cheating. This method uses the official Adventure Sync feature designed by the game developers. It allows players to stay active in various ways, including indoor workouts. As long as you are physically walking or running on the treadmill yourself, it is a legitimate way to play and part of the game’s intended mechanics.
In summary, using Pokemon Go on a treadmill is a great way to combine fitness with gaming. The key to success is a correct Adventure Sync setup and remembering to keep the app closed during your workout. With this guide, you can confidently hatch eggs and earn candy while focusing on your indoor exercise. Enjoy your treadmill sessions and happy hunting!
