If you’ve recorded an activity but your Virtual Challenge progress isn’t moving, it’s almost always caused by one of these: timeframe mismatch, challenge acceptance rules, missing distance for manual entries, step source not syncing, or a refresh/sync delay.
Use the checklist below in order (it’s designed to resolve the most common causes first).
Before you start: confirm it’s a Virtual Challenge (not a Virtual Race)
This guide is for Virtual Challenges, which are completed by accumulating distance over time within your chosen timeframe.
If you’re in a Virtual Race, the rules can differ (for example, “in one go”).
1) Allow a short delay + force a refresh (fastest fix)
Even when everything is working, progress can appear “stuck” until the app refreshes and the system processes your latest activity. Delays are more common when your steps come from Apple Health / Google Fit / wearables, or when background refresh is restricted.
What to do
- Open the Virtual Challenge page (map/leaderboard).
- Pull to refresh (if available).
- Fully close Pacer (swipe it away), reopen it, then check again.
- If needed, switch networks (Wi-Fi ↔ cellular) and reload.
Note: Leaderboards/progress may update with a delay (sometimes ~30 minutes or more depending on data flow).
2) Verify Pacer is receiving steps first (Home screen check)
Your challenge can’t update if Pacer isn’t receiving data from your selected step source.
Check
- Go to Pacer Home → Today and confirm steps/distance are increasing.
- If Home steps are not increasing, fix step tracking first (permissions/background/source) before continuing.
3) Check your Virtual Challenge timeframe
Virtual Challenges only count activity completed inside the timeframe you selected when you entered the challenge.
Where to check
- Virtual Adventure Challenges: tap Info (top-right on the map screen) to see the exact timeframe.
- Other Virtual Challenges: timeframe is shown on the challenge detail screen.
Common gotcha
- Workouts outside the timeframe (even by 1 day) won’t count.
4) Check the Acceptance Rules (most common root cause)
Your Virtual Challenge may be configured to accept only certain activity types or only certain kinds of distance (GPS vs daily steps vs manual entry).
Where to find the rules
- On the challenge detail page
- For Virtual Adventure Challenges: Info (top-right on the map screen)
What to verify
- Allowed activities
- Some rules accept only walk/run/hike and may require GPS-tracked activities (manual entry not accepted).
- “All exercise types” may be needed if you’re using manual input or non-walk activities.
- 24×7 Pedometer distance
- Your everyday steps can be converted to distance and optionally counted toward the challenge, depending on your rule choice.
How to change acceptance rules (if allowed)
You can change rules before the challenge is ended or finished. The change applies immediately and can be retrospective within the timeframe.
Steps
- Tap the cog (Virtual Adventure Challenges) or the three dots (other Virtual Challenges)
- Tap Change Rules
5) If you used manual submission: make sure you entered Distance
Manual entries must include distance to count toward Virtual Challenge progress. If you enter only duration / steps / calories, it won’t add progress.
Quick check
- Edit the manual activity → confirm a distance value is present.
6) Confirm your Step Data Source (Phone vs Health vs Wearables)
Challenge progress follows the steps/distance Pacer receives from your selected step source.
In Pacer
- Go to Settings → Step Data Source (or Data Source)
- Confirm the source you expect is marked In Use / Primary.
Common sources
- iOS: Phone, Apple Health, Apple Watch, Fitbit, Garmin
- Android: Phone, Google Fit, Fitbit, Garmin, Samsung Health
Tip: If you recently changed sources, allow time for sync, then refresh the challenge again.
7) If using a wearable / third-party app: verify permissions
If your activity is recorded by a connected device/app, Pacer must have the correct permissions to receive the result.
What to do
- Re-check the integration settings for your wearable/app inside Pacer.
- If you’re using Apple Health as the bridge on iOS, follow: Fix Pacer ↔ Apple Health Sync Issues (update iOS/Pacer, restart, confirm Background App Refresh, avoid force-closing during sync).
8) Time zone or “challenge day” mismatch (if the day looks wrong)
If you traveled, changed time zones, or your phone time is manual, steps can appear under a different day or not align with the challenge window until things sync.
Still not updating?
Before contacting support, please collect:
- Challenge name + type (Virtual Challenge)
- Your selected timeframe + acceptance rule settings
- Your Step Data Source (what is “In Use / Primary”)
- Screenshot of Pacer Home “Today” steps + the challenge progress screen
Then submit a request to Support (include the details above).