It can be disheartening to see yesterday’s step total change after you go to bed.  In most cases, Pacer isn’t “losing” your steps—it’s updating the number based on new information from your phone, a connected health hub (Apple Health, Google Fit, Samsung Health) or a wearable.  The sections below explain why this happens and how to keep your totals accurate.

Why step counts can change overnight

1. Delayed data sync from Apple Health or another hub. 

   Apple Health stores motion data on your phone and periodically pushes updates to other apps.  If your iPhone is in low‑power mode or background refresh is restricted, that sync can be delayed.  When the data finally arrives, yesterday’s total is recalculated. 

2. Removal of duplicate steps. 

   If you record steps from both your phone and a wearable, Apple Health de‑duplicates data to avoid double counting.  The Health app lets you set a priority order for sources and uses the first source’s data for overlapping time windows.  When duplicates are removed, yesterday’s count may decrease. 

3. Time‑zone or date changes. 

   Traveling or crossing time zones may result in steps being recorded on an incorrect day. This is a recognized issue with Pacer and has not yet been resolved.

4. Operating‑system or app updates. 

   Community specialists on Apple’s forum acknowledge that users see yesterday’s steps drop after updating iOS or the Health app.  They recommend backing up and updating your device, then ensuring Motion & Fitness and Health access are enabled.  After an update, data may be reprocessed, causing totals to change. 

5. Manual edits or deleted data. 

   Modifying your data in Apple Health, Google Fit, Samsung Health, Fitbit, or Garmin Connect will affect your overall totals. Removing a manually added workout or importing a duplicate entry may impact the step count from the previous day. Additionally, deleting a GPS activity will remove all associated steps, distance, and calorie data, resulting in a reduction of the previous day's totals.

How to keep your step totals consistent

Identify your step source

Pacer can count steps using your phone’s motion sensor or import data from Apple Health (iOS), Google Fit/Samsung Health (Android), or wearables like Apple Watch, Fitbit or Garmin.  Open Pacer’s settings to see which source is being used.  If you’re using a health hub, changes in that hub’s data will propagate to Pacer.

For iPhone & Apple Health users

• Refresh Health data manually.  Open the Health app, tap Steps, then swipe down on the graph to force a refresh.  Closing and reopening the Health app forces it to send updated data. 
• Enable required permissions.  Go to Settings > Privacy > Motion & Fitness and ensure Fitness Tracking and Health are toggled on.  Enable Background App Refresh for Pacer and disable Low Power Mode to prevent delayed sync. 
• Check data source priority.  In Health, open Steps > Data Sources & Access and tap Edit.  Drag the sources into your preferred order.  If you use both your phone and a wearable, set the wearable first to avoid double counting; otherwise set Pacer (phone sensor) at the top. 
• Mind the time‑zone.  Ensure your iPhone’s time‑zone matches your actual location.  Traveling across time zones can shift steps into the wrong day; sync your wearable and Health app before midnight and again after you arrive. 
• Update regularly.  Keeping iOS and Pacer up to date helps prevent bugs that recalculate past data.

For Android users (Google Fit, Samsung Health or wearables)

• Sync before midnight.  When using a wearable, make sure it fully syncs to Google Fit or Samsung Health at the end of the day.  Garmin users on the official forum report that un-synced data can lead to lower totals, and that verifying the step count in the detailed Steps screen or on the web ensures all data is uploaded. 
• Check time‑zone settings.  A mismatch between your phone and your health hub’s time‑zone can cause overnight drops.
• Allow background activity.  Make sure Pacer and your health hub app (Google Fit or Samsung Health) can run in the background and are excluded from battery optimization.  If steps only update when you open the app, background restrictions are likely the cause. 
• Wearable sync chain.  If you use a Fitbit or Garmin, data flows from your watch to its own app, then to Google Fit/Samsung Health (if connected), and finally to Pacer.  Missing a link can delay updates; verify that each app is connected and permitted to share data.

When to contact support

If your step totals continue to change unpredictably after following these steps—especially if you see large drops unrelated to travel, duplicate sources or updates—contact Pacer’s support team.  Provide screenshots of the step totals before and after the change, along with details of your step source, device model and operating system.  Persistent, unexplained drops could be due to a bug in the underlying health hub or wearable that needs developer attention.