How to Enable Adventure Sync in Pokémon GO

Adventure Sync is an optional Pokémon GO feature that records eligible distance even while the game is not open. Niantic makes the feature available starting at Trainer Level 5.

Before enabling it, make sure your phone can track steps and distance. Adventure Sync also requires background location permission and a connection to the fitness service used by your device:

• iPhone and iPad: Apple Health
• Android: Google Fit

Important: Adventure Sync needs permission to access your location while Pokémon GO is not open. Restricting location access to only while using the app can prevent Adventure Sync from working correctly.

The official setup sequence is documented on the Pokémon GO Adventure Sync support page.

On Apple devices, Adventure Sync uses Apple Health together with background location access.

If Pokémon GO initially asks for location access while you are using the app, choose Allow While Using App. Niantic notes that iOS may later display another prompt asking whether Pokémon GO should continue using your location in the background. Choose Change to Always Allow.

If the prompt does not appear, open the iPhone or iPad Location Services settings:

Return to Pokémon GO afterward and confirm that Adventure Sync remains enabled.

On Android, Adventure Sync uses Google Fit and requires Pokémon GO to have background location access.

On current Android versions, you can review location access through the official Android location permission settings. A common route is:

The exact Android menu path can vary by device manufacturer and operating system version. Niantic also provides a general Pokémon GO app permission guide.

Return to Main Menu > Settings > General and check the Adventure Sync setting. Niantic states that the option should be checked when Adventure Sync is active.

Once enabled, eligible activity can contribute toward:

• Distance traveled
• Egg hatching
• Buddy Candy
• Weekly fitness reports
• Weekly milestone rewards

You can also view your current Adventure Sync statistics from your Trainer Profile.

You do not need to leave Pokémon GO running while walking. Adventure Sync reads eligible fitness activity from Apple Health or Google Fit and transfers that progress into Pokémon GO when the data synchronizes.

Syncing is not always immediate. Niantic states that there can be a delay of up to several hours before Apple Health or Google Fit activity appears in Pokémon GO.

Note: Fitness activity entered manually into Apple Health or Google Fit does not count toward Adventure Sync progress.

If Adventure Sync records only part of your walk or stops updating completely, check your phone's battery-saving settings. Niantic warns that battery-saving modes can disable sensors required for Adventure Sync.

Battery-saving settings inside Apple Health or Google Fit can also interfere with tracking. Disable those restrictions if Adventure Sync stops recording normal walking activity.

If Adventure Sync is enabled but Pokémon GO is not recording activity, first confirm that the phone itself is recording fitness data.

Apple Health

• Open Apple Health and confirm that your walking or fitness activity is being recorded.
• Make sure Pokémon GO has permission to access the required Health data.
• Confirm that Pokémon GO still has Always location access.

Google Fit

• Open Google Fit and confirm that your activity is being recorded.
• Check the connected-app settings and confirm that Pokémon GO is connected.
• Confirm that Pokémon GO has background location permission.

Niantic states that Android devices incompatible with Google Fit cannot use Adventure Sync's fitness tracking functionality.

• Confirm your Trainer Level. Adventure Sync requires Trainer Level 5 or above.
• Confirm that Adventure Sync is still checked. A permission change can require you to review the setting again.
• Check background location access. Use Always on iOS or the equivalent Allow all the time option on Android.
• Check your fitness app. Apple Health or Google Fit must be recording normal device activity and connected to Pokémon GO.
• Disable battery-saving restrictions. These can prevent the sensors Adventure Sync requires from recording activity.
• Wait for synchronization. Fitness progress can take several hours to appear.
• Restart Pokémon GO. Niantic notes that restarting the app can help refresh delayed Adventure Sync data.

If the problem continues after these checks, follow the official Adventure Sync troubleshooting guide and contact Pokémon GO support through the app if necessary.