Does a step counter drain the battery on a Samsung phone?
Short answer: A step counter that uses the phone's built-in step sensor, as PrivateSteps does, is designed to be light on battery. The bigger issue on some phones, Samsung especially, is that apps get put to sleep. Setting the app's Battery option to Unrestricted keeps counting steady.
Why it is light on battery
Your phone already has a step sensor built in, and it runs whether or not an app is open. PrivateSteps reads that sensor. It does not need to track you with extra tools to count your steps.
When steps seem to go missing
Some phones, Samsung especially, put apps to sleep to save power. A sleeping app may not update, so your count can look low until you open it.
Setting Battery to Unrestricted
- Open your phone's settings for the app.
- Find the Battery option.
- Choose Unrestricted.
The app also guides you to this the first time. Menu wording can differ a little between phones.
Other things that help
- Use pause counting when you do not want steps recorded.
- The app works the same in airplane mode.
- Walk tracking with GPS is a separate option you start yourself.
See also how it works offline.
Private and quiet in the background
PrivateSteps has no ads, no analytics and no cloud, so there is no background sharing to keep going. The app does not connect to the internet at all.
The one online step is the store handling a subscription. Counting itself is just your phone sensor and the app saving numbers on the phone.
If your count still looks off after changing the Battery setting, check that counting has not been paused in the app.
Keep your steps on your phone
Free to start. See the store listing for current pricing.
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Questions
Will PrivateSteps use a lot of battery?
It reads the step sensor already in your phone, so it is built to stay light. Your own results can vary by phone.
Why does my count look low on Samsung?
The phone may have put the app to sleep. Setting Battery to Unrestricted for the app usually helps.
Does the app need the internet to count?
No. It counts the same in airplane mode.
Does the app ignore steps in a car?
Yes. It ignores steps while the phone detects you are in a vehicle, and that detection happens on the phone.
PrivateSteps records and draws your own numbers. It does not diagnose, interpret or give medical advice. Talk to your own doctor or care team about your health.