Many users of modern Samsung smartphones do not even realize that a full-fledged one is already installed inside their device activity counting sensor. There's no need to download dubious apps from disreputable stores just to learn how many kilometers you've walked in a day. The Android system, and in particular the One UI shell from the South Korean giant, provides native tools for health monitoring.
Built-in algorithms analyze data from the accelerometer and gyroscope, ensuring high accuracy of measurements without unnecessary load on the battery. However, the system interface is constantly changing, and finding the right icon is becoming more and more difficult. Where is this functionality hidden in new firmware versions? In this article we will look at all the ways to activate and configure the built-in tracker.
The main location of the activity counter
The most obvious and frequently used method is the application Samsung Health. It comes pre-installed on the vast majority of Galaxy devices. If you deleted it accidentally, you can restore the functionality through the official Galaxy Store, since the version on Google Play may be different or missing.
After launching the application, you will see the main panel with widgets. By default, the Steps card is at the very top of the list. By clicking on it, you will be taken to a detailed report, which displays not only the amount of distance traveled, but also calories burned, as well as active walking time.
Sometimes users do not see this widget right away. This happens due to a reset of the interface settings or after a major system update. In this case, you need to scroll down to the very bottom of the screen and press the edit button to return the counter to the main screen.
⚠️ Attention: The Samsung Health application requires registration through a Samsung Account. Without signing in to your account, data synchronization and history saving may not be possible.
If the steps widget has disappeared, long-press an empty space on the Samsung Health home screen and select "Reorder" to bring it back to the top.
Always On Display feature
For those who want to see progress without unlocking the phone, Samsung has introduced a convenient option into the function Always On Display. This allows you to display your step counter directly on the locked screen, saving time and battery life compared to turning on the display completely.
To activate this feature, go to your phone's main settings. Find the section Lock screen and select item Clock style. Here you will be asked to choose from a variety of watch faces. Not all of them support activity display, so you need to be careful when choosing.
Choose styles that have small shoe icons or an activity graph. After setting the style, you can customize the display of data. The system will automatically pull up information from the internal sensor, and the numbers will begin to update in real time.
- 👟 Open
Settingsand go to the sectionWallpaper and style. - ⌚ Click on item
AOD ClockorAlways On Display. - 🎨 Select a watch face style that supports health widgets.
- ✅ Activate the switch
Always showorClick to show.
It is worth considering that constantly displaying information on the screen increases energy consumption, although AMOLED technology minimizes these losses. If your smartphone's battery drains too quickly, it's better to use tap view mode.
Widgets on the home screen desktop
Another way to quickly access statistics is to place the widget directly on the Android system desktop. This eliminates the need to open the entire application each time. You can see your progress just by looking at the screen.
To add a widget, long press on an empty area of the desktop. In the lower menu that appears, select Widgets. Find the application in the list Samsung Health. Expand the list of available widgets by clicking on the arrow next to the name.
You will see several design options: from simple numbers to pie charts of activity. Drag the option you like to an empty space on the screen. The size of the widget can be changed by stretching its borders with your fingers, depending on the available space on the desktop.
⚠️ Attention: Widgets consume RAM. If you have a smartphone with a small amount of RAM (less than 4 GB), placing too many active widgets can slow down the system.
Some users prefer minimalism. In this case, you can select a widget that shows only the current number of steps, without unnecessary graphs and icons. It looks aesthetically pleasing and does not clutter the interface.
Setting goals and personalizing data
Just counting steps is not enough to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is important to set goals for yourself. The built-in algorithm allows you to flexibly customize daily norms depending on your level of training and lifestyle.
Go to the step card inside the application. In the upper right corner, find the three dots icon or the settings icon. Here you can change the target value. By default, it is often set to 10,000 steps, but you can lower or raise this bar.
Goal settings:1. Minimum: 2,000 steps
2. Standard: 10,000 steps
3. Active mode: 15,000+ steps
You can also set reminders in this section. If you sit for a long time without moving, the smartphone will suggest you to take a short walk. This is a useful feature for office workers who forget to get up from the computer.
☑️ Setting up a profile for accuracy
Problems with accuracy and their solution
Sometimes users notice that the pedometer “winds up” steps when riding in public transport or, conversely, does not count steps when walking with a cart. This is due to the peculiarities of the accelerometer To increase accuracy, make sure that the phone is in your pants pocket or in your hand, and not in a bag where it can dangle freely. The position of the device plays a critical role in correctly recording the rhythm of steps., which reacts to vibrations and acceleration.
To improve accuracy, make sure your phone is in your pants pocket or hand, rather than in your bag where it might dangle loosely. The position of the device plays a critical role in correctly recording the rhythm of steps.
If the discrepancies are significant, try calibrating. Walk a known distance (for example, 100 meters) and check the data. In the application settings, the option to reset sensor data is sometimes available, which helps eliminate software accumulation errors.
| Situation | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Steps are not counted | The sensor is disabled in the settings | Check application permissions |
| Steps are counted in auto | Vibration engine | Put the phone in a stationary place |
| No data for yesterday | Synchronization failure | Reboot the smartphone |
| High battery consumption | Continuous GPS polling | Disable GPS for step counting |
⚠️ Attention: The menu interface and item names may vary slightly depending on the One UI shell version and your device model (S, A or M series).
Why Does the pedometer work without the Internet?
The built-in step sensor (accelerometer) is a hardware component. It physically records the device's acceleration, so basic step counting does not require a network connection. The Internet is only needed to synchronize statistics with the cloud or download maps.
Alternatives and third-party integrations
If the built-in application for some reason does not suit you, the Android ecosystem allows you to use other solutions that also have access to the hardware sensor. However, it is worth remembering that third-party apps may consume more resources.
Popular services like Google Fit (or its new analogue Health Connect) may duplicate the functions of Samsung Health. When configured correctly, they will take data from the same source as the native application, providing a unified picture of activity.
For advanced users, there is the ability to output data to smart watches. If you have a Galaxy Watch, synchronization occurs automatically, and steps from the watch are given priority, since they more accurately record the movement of your hand when walking.
Samsung's built-in sensor is the most energy-efficient solution, as it is optimized by the manufacturer specifically for the hardware of your smartphone.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to disable the pedometer completely to save energy?
You cannot completely disable the hardware sensor, since it is necessary for other functions (for example, auto-rotate the screen). However, you can prevent the Samsung Health app from accessing your physical activity data in your privacy settings. This will stop counting and saving history.
Does the pedometer count steps if the phone is on the table?
No, the built-in algorithm ignores vibrations if the device is in a static position. To record a step, a characteristic rhythmic movement is required that imitates a person's walking, which is transmitted to the phone body.
How to transfer your step history to a new Samsung phone?
When setting up a new device for the first time, use the Smart Switch application. It will transfer all Samsung Health data, including activity history, provided you are signed in to the same Samsung Account. Also, the data is stored in the cloud and synchronized automatically.
Why are steps reset at midnight?
This is standard system behavior. The daily activity counter is reset at 00:00 local time set on the device to start a new reporting day. History for the past days is saved in the application archive.
Does the energy saving mode affect the operation of the pedometer?
In severe energy saving mode, the polling frequency of the sensors may be reduced, which will lead to a delay in updating the numbers on the screen. However, the steps themselves will continue to be recorded in memory and will be displayed correctly after exiting the economy mode or when the screen is refreshed.