Pokémon GO Adventure Sync: Turn It On or Off

Adventure Sync lets Pokémon GO count eligible walking distance while the game is closed, helping you make progress toward Buddy Candy and Egg hatches without keeping the app open. You can enable or disable it in the game’s settings; your phone must also allow the location and activity permissions Pokémon GO requests.

What You’ll Need

• Pokémon GO installed and signed in to your account.
• A compatible iPhone or Android phone with location services enabled.
• Permission for Pokémon GO to access location and, where requested, motion or physical activity.
• A connection to the internet when you change settings or sync progress.

Menu wording can vary slightly by app version and device. Adventure Sync generally relies on your phone’s fitness or health data, so the exact permission prompts differ between iOS and Android.

Step-by-Step

1. Open Pokémon GO. Sign in to the account whose Adventure Sync setting you want to change. If the game is already open, make sure it has finished loading.
2. Open the settings menu. Tap the Poké Ball at the bottom of the map screen, then tap Settings in the upper-right corner.
3. Find Adventure Sync. Scroll through the settings list to the section labeled Adventure Sync. On some versions, the option may be named Adventure Sync: Walking or shown with a similar label.
4. Turn it on. Tap the Adventure Sync switch or checkbox. Read the explanation and confirm the prompt if one appears. The game may ask you to choose an account or allow access to health, fitness, motion, or location data.
5. Allow the requested phone permissions. Follow the prompts to grant the access needed for distance tracking. If you deny a prompt, Adventure Sync may appear enabled in Pokémon GO but fail to record activity. You can change denied permissions later in your phone’s Settings.
6. Confirm that it is enabled. Return to Pokémon GO’s settings and check that the Adventure Sync control is on. If the game displays a confirmation message, make sure you accept it rather than dismissing it.
7. To turn it off, repeat the first two steps. Return to Settings, find Adventure Sync, and tap the switch or checkbox to disable it. Confirm if asked. You can also revoke related permissions in your phone’s settings, but switching it off in Pokémon GO is the clearest way to stop background syncing.
8. Check progress after walking. Close Pokémon GO completely, walk with your phone, then reopen the game while connected to the internet. Give the game time to sync. Distance may not update instantly, and only eligible activity recorded by supported services may count.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming the game must stay open: Adventure Sync is designed to record eligible distance while Pokémon GO is closed. Leaving the app open is not required and may affect how your phone handles background activity.
• Enabling the game option but denying phone access: The in-game switch alone may not be enough. Check the phone’s permission settings and any health or fitness app connection requested during setup.
• Using a restricted location setting: If location access is denied or limited in a way that prevents background tracking, Adventure Sync may not work as expected. Review Pokémon GO’s location permission on your device.
• Expecting every step to count immediately: Syncing can be delayed, and the game may not award every distance measurement. Check again after reopening the app and allowing it to connect.
• Changing accounts or devices without checking settings: The setting and permissions may need attention on the phone and game account currently in use. Confirm you are signed into the intended Pokémon GO account.
• Leaving battery restrictions unnoticed: Some phones limit background activity to save power. These restrictions can interfere with the services that record distance.

Tips

• Enable Adventure Sync before your walk, then close Pokémon GO normally rather than force-quitting it repeatedly.
• Keep your phone’s location services on and grant Pokémon GO the background access requested by your operating system.
• Check that your phone’s fitness or health service is allowed to record steps or activity, if the setup prompts you to connect one.
• For a clean test, note your current in-game distance, walk a reasonable route with your phone, then reopen the game online and wait for syncing. A short walk may not produce a visible change.
• If you want to stop background tracking, switch Adventure Sync off in the game. Turning off all phone location services is broader and can affect other apps.

Troubleshooting

The Adventure Sync option is missing: Update Pokémon GO through your device’s official app store, restart the app, and look again under Settings. Menu placement can change as the app is updated.

The switch is on, but distance does not increase: Verify that phone location services are enabled and Pokémon GO has the required permissions. Check any connected health or fitness service for permission to record activity. Close and reopen Pokémon GO while online, then allow time for the sync.

A permission prompt does not appear: Open your phone’s Settings, find Pokémon GO in the app list, and review its location and activity permissions. On iPhone, also check the relevant Health permissions if the game asks to use them. On Android, review location and physical activity permissions where available. Names and options differ by operating-system version.

Progress works only while the game is open: Check whether battery saver, background restrictions, or a device-cleaning feature is stopping background activity. Allow Pokémon GO and any linked fitness service to run as needed, then test again with the game closed.

The game reports an account or connection issue: Confirm you are signed into the right account, have an internet connection, and can access the game normally. Restart the phone and game if permissions are correct but syncing remains stuck. If the problem persists, consult Pokémon GO’s in-app help for current account-specific guidance.

Do not expect previously unrecorded distance to appear just by turning the setting on. Adventure Sync can only use eligible activity that the phone or connected service has recorded and made available to the game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Adventure Sync work when Pokémon GO is closed?
Yes. It is intended to count eligible distance in the background, provided the required phone permissions and services are working.

Does Adventure Sync need location access?
Pokémon GO needs the permissions and location settings requested during setup. The precise requirements and wording vary by device and operating system.

Can I turn Adventure Sync off without uninstalling the game?
Yes. Open the game’s Settings, find Adventure Sync, and switch it off. You do not need to uninstall Pokémon GO.

Will turning it off delete my Pokémon or account progress?
No. Disabling Adventure Sync stops this background tracking feature; it does not delete your account or caught Pokémon.

Why did my steps not count?
Possible causes include missing permissions, battery restrictions, a disconnected fitness service, delayed syncing, or activity that the game does not consider eligible. Check permissions and sync again while online.

Does Adventure Sync track distance while I am using the game?
Adventure Sync is for activity recorded while Pokémon GO is not actively being played. When the app is open, the game uses its normal in-game tracking.

Related

• Raspberry Pi Projects for Halloween Weekend
• Samsung Lockdown Mode: Power Menu Trigger in One UI
• Newegg Refurbished Apple Devices, GPUs, Phones & More