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Phone Inaccurately Counting? (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 months ago by RebekahWSD@lemmy.world to c/walkscape@lemmy.world

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My phone seems to inaccurately count steps, and I'm worried that could be a problem? It gives me too many steps. I counted how many steps it takes to walk from one room to another, which is around 12 - 16 steps. The app routinely gives me over 25 steps though! I'm hoping this won't be an issue? I might be over thinking.

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[–] RebekahWSD@lemmy.world 5 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Sometimes there are saved steps! But sometimes it's not. It seems to count around 25 if the app is open or not.

Does it only count steps when the app is open then, and save steps if the app is closed?

[–] Tenoteve 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (2 children)

As a hint, I started using the app in the current wave. So I'm not very experienced yet. But as a software tester in Android development I can give some insights on the matter. Step counting itself is likely done somewhere else, like Android or iOS, and the value is read out by Walkspace (developers please correct me). The step counting mechanism also can be inaccurate. For example, taking the bus on a bumpy roads can be counted as steps in some cases. I can try testing it for you tomorrow, as accurately as I possible can without additional tools and only with one phone. I will come back with an average accuracy.

[–] RebekahWSD@lemmy.world 4 points 3 months ago (1 children)

That would be amazing! It must use the android to count the steps, it requested that access! I know my phone is really inaccurate about a lot of stuff. On wifi, when using Pokémon GO, my phone will routinely run around town while I'm sitting down, but I think pogo uses the wifi.

It wouldn't surprise me to find out the step counter is also inaccurate in this phone!

[–] Tenoteve 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Help again. So first, some searching brought me to this page: https://www.androidauthority.com/best-pedometer-apps-step-counter-apps-for-android-852651/

The chapter about"smartphones vs fitness tracker accuracy" describes the issue a bit.

I also checked with my phone a bit. Test results 100 steps with phone in back pocket 103 steps counted 100 steps with phone in hand moving the hand 73 steps 100 steps moving phone between hand and pocket 112 steps.

The test itself is also not perfect, but time.... You know.

[–] Tenoteve 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Also, the accuracy is not as important as you may think. The app shall motivate to move more, by walking. Depending on the study you chose science suggests between 2000 and 10000 steps a day. That is a huge range and will even put the inaccuracies.

[–] RebekahWSD@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago

I've been more worried about the game getting upset for me walking when I'm not walking, which is entirely overthinking it! XD And it will make me move more! I moved today and visited mother for...late labor day.

[–] schamppu@lemmy.zip 4 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Indeed, this is correct. We use Android API's to read the data, and Android API's are dependent on device's sensors. It's a bit different depending on the device, but the margin of error is usually quite small when taking a longer walk.

[–] Tenoteve 2 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Thanks for your response.