Thanks to the different sensors in modern smartphones, they can do more than just communicate. For example, you don’t need a dedicated device to count steps as your phone can do it—but how does a smartphone count steps?
How Does a Smartphone Track Your Steps?
Most smartphones today are equipped with various motion sensors, such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and GPS. The key sensor that enables your smartphone to track steps is the built-in accelerometer. This tiny device measures input through a wavering lever that taps against a metal contact.
Accelerometers measure the phone’s acceleration as it moves. This is how your phone knows when to rotate the screen based on how you’re holding it. The same type of data can be interpreted to track the rhythm of your steps as you walk or run. Using the accelerometer data, apps analyze your activity using special algorithms to count the number of steps you take daily.
Besides the accelerometer, some phones also have a gyroscope, which measures rotation and orientation, helping determine the direction of movement. A gyroscope isn’t necessary, but it can complement the accelerometer data and enhance accuracy if available.
These two sources of information are then cross-analyzed to find the number of calories you’ve burned, among other stats about your performance. For instance, fitness apps determine the calories burned with this data.
Other types of sensors, like altimeters, can also supplement this digital portrait of your workout’s quality. In addition, some apps compile the data from your smartphone and your smartwatch for the most accurate reading possible. For example, Google Fit combines the steep counts from both your phone and smartwatch.
That’s how your smartphone can count the number of steps you take. Even if you’re hitting the treadmill at home, the accelerometer in your phone is ready to capture every last step. But it’s not just smartphones; step trackers also use these sensors to track steps.
