Why Isn't MyFitnessPal Tracking My Steps?

If you're experiencing issues with MyFitnessPal not tracking your steps, don't worry! This guide will help you identify the common reasons and solutions to ensure that your step count is accurately recorded.

App Permissions

To begin with, it's essential to ensure that MyFitnessPal has the necessary permissions to access your device's location and motion data. These permissions are crucial for the app to track your steps accurately. On your phone's settings, go to the MyFitnessPal app's permissions and confirm that you have granted it access to your location and motion sensors. If these permissions are not granted, go ahead and update them to resolve the issue.

Syncing Issues

If you are using a fitness tracker or another app like Google Fit or Apple Health to track your steps, it's important to ensure that MyFitnessPal is properly synced with these apps. Sometimes, sync issues can cause MyFitnessPal to fail in updating your step count. Disconnect and reconnect your step source in the MyFitnessPal settings to reconnect and enable the app to accurately track your steps. For example, if you're using a Fitbit, you can launch the MyFitnessPal app, go to the Menu, and log back into the app. Then, go back to the 'Steps' section and reassign Fitbit as your step source.

Background App Refresh

Another common issue is that MyFitnessPal might not be running in the background. Background app refresh is a feature that allows the app to continue running even when it's not in use, which is necessary for step tracking. On both Android and iOS devices, enable background app refresh settings for MyFitnessPal. This ensures that the app can periodically update your step count without you needing to manually open it.

Manual Entry

If automatic step tracking isn't working for you, manually entering your steps is an effective workaround. While you're unlikely to achieve an exact match with your step count from a fitness tracker, manually adding your steps in MyFitnessPal can still help keep you on track with your fitness goals. Go to the exercise section within MyFitnessPal and add your steps as a workout. This will keep your step count updated and provide a consistent record of your activity.

App Updates

Make sure that you are using the latest version of MyFitnessPal. Regular updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can resolve step tracking issues. Check the app store for any available updates and install them to ensure that you have the most up-to-date version of the app.

Device Compatibility

Some devices may not be fully compatible with step tracking in MyFitnessPal. Check the app's support documentation for information on device compatibility. If your device's hardware or software isn't supported, you might need to explore alternative solutions or find a device that is compatible.

Once you've checked all these factors and have not found a solution, it might be a good idea to reach out to MyFitnessPal support for further assistance. They can provide specific guidance or troubleshoot more complex issues related to step tracking.