How to Fake Pokemon Go Steps (Safe Methods)

Updated 4 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Pokemon Go rewards you for walking, but not everyone can hit 50 km a week or hatch 10 km eggs on a regular schedule. This guide covers the common ways players simulate steps for Adventure Sync and egg hatching, from phone rocking tricks to third-party apps. We’ll focus on methods that are less likely to trigger a ban, but note that any form of spoofing violates Niantic’s Terms of Service.

What You’ll Need

A smartphone running Pokemon Go (Android or iOS)
Pokemon Go app updated to the latest version
Adventure Sync enabled in the app’s settings
For the rocking method: a phone with a gyroscope (most modern phones)
For app-based methods: a PC or Mac to run an emulator, or a rooted/jailbroken phone (advanced)

Step-by-Step

Method 1: The Rocking Chair Trick (Safest)

Open Pokemon Go and go to the main map screen.
Tap the Pokeball icon at the bottom, then select “Settings” (gear icon).
Scroll down and ensure “Adventure Sync” is toggled ON. This allows the game to count steps even when the app is closed.
Close the Pokemon Go app completely (swipe it away from recent apps).
Hold your phone in your hand and gently rock it back and forth in a swinging motion, as if you’re walking. The phone’s accelerometer detects this as steps.
Do this for 10-15 minutes to register a few hundred steps. You can also place the phone in a sock and swing it, or use a baby swing if you have one.
After rocking, reopen Pokemon Go. The steps should sync to your egg and buddy progress.

Method 2: Using a Phone Rocker App (Android Only)

On your Android phone, go to the Google Play Store and search for “step counter” or “fake GPS joystick” (though the latter is riskier).
Install a reputable step simulator app like “Step Counter – Pedometer” or “Fake Step Counter”.
Open the app and set it to simulate a certain number of steps per minute (e.g., 80-100 steps/min).
Start the simulation and leave your phone on a flat surface. The app will fake the sensor data.
Keep Pokemon Go running in the background (but not fully closed) or use Adventure Sync. The steps will accumulate.
After some time, open Pokemon Go and check your egg distance.

Method 3: GPS Spoofing (High Risk)

Backup your Pokemon Go account data (just in case).
On Android, enable “Developer Options” by going to Settings > About Phone and tapping “Build Number” 7 times.
In Developer Options, enable “Allow mock locations”.
Download a GPS spoofing app like “Fake GPS Location” from the Play Store.
Set the spoofed location to a nearby park or a route you want to walk.
Open Pokemon Go. The game will see your GPS as the spoofed location. Use the joystick in the spoofing app to move your character around.
To simulate walking, use the app’s “walk” mode, which moves your character slowly along a path.

Common Mistakes

Rocking too fast: If you swing your phone wildly, the game may detect it as a car ride and not count steps. Keep the motion moderate.
Not enabling Adventure Sync: Without it, the game only tracks steps when the app is open, and rocking with the app open may not register.
Using a GPS joystick to teleport long distances: This is the fastest way to get a red warning or a ban. Always move slowly and realistically.
Leaving the phone on a table while using a step simulator: Some simulators require the phone to be moved; a static phone may not trigger the sensor.

Tips

Combine methods: Use a step simulator while you’re at work or asleep, then rock the phone during the day.
Keep your weekly distance under 50 km to avoid looking suspicious. Niantic flags accounts that consistently walk 100+ km a week with no real-world activity.
Use Adventure Sync to your advantage: It syncs steps from your phone’s health app, so any step counter you can trick will work.
If you’re using a GPS spoofer, only walk in areas you could reasonably be in (e.g., your city, not another continent).
Take breaks: Don’t run the simulator 24/7. Give your account some “rest” days.

Troubleshooting

Steps not registering: Make sure Adventure Sync is on and your phone’s battery saver isn’t killing background apps. Check that your phone’s step counter is working by walking a few steps with the game open.
Egg distance not updating: The game updates distance every few minutes, so be patient. If it’s been 30 minutes, restart the app.
GPS spoofer not working: On Android, ensure “Allow mock locations” is enabled. On iOS, you may need to jailbreak or use a PC-based tool like iTools (which is more complex).
Getting a red warning: Stop all spoofing immediately. The warning usually lasts 7 days; if you continue, you risk a permanent ban. Wait it out and play legitimately for a while.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is faking steps against the rules?

Yes, it violates Niantic’s Terms of Service. While the rocking method is less detectable, any form of cheating can result in a warning or ban.

Can I get banned for using a step simulator?

It’s possible. Niantic’s anti-cheat system is sophisticated. Using a simulator that injects fake sensor data is harder to detect than GPS spoofing, but it’s still a risk.

Does the rocking trick work on iOS?

Yes, it works on both Android and iOS, as long as Adventure Sync is enabled and the app is closed.

How many steps can I fake per day without getting caught?

There’s no safe number. To be less suspicious, keep your daily distance under 20 km and your weekly under 50 km.

Will faking steps help me hatch eggs faster?

Yes, that’s the main purpose. You’ll hatch eggs and earn buddy candy without actually walking.

What’s the safest method overall?

The rocking chair trick is the safest because it uses real sensor data and doesn’t require any third-party apps. It’s just slower.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.