Peloton App Not Tracking Distance? (10 Surefire Fixes!)

Is your Peloton app not tracking distance? We found ways to solve it. 

The Peloton app also tracks your outdoor workouts apart from the ones on your Bike or Tread.

Sometimes, the app stops tracking your distance, indicating a problem with your device’s sensors or the app itself. 

To get your Peloton app to track distance, ensure your device’s GPS and cellular data are enabled to measure your distance accurately. If this doesn’t work, permit your Peloton app to track your location.  

Alright, let’s go through the solutions systematically. 

10 Surefire Methods to Fix Peloton App Not Tracking Distance

The best way to fix the Peloton app tracking issue is by following the solutions we provided below.

We arranged them from easiest to most complex for you to apply them in order. 

1. Force Close the Peloton App on Your Device

The first thing you should do is force close the Peloton app on your device. This will clear any errors or glitches affecting the app’s performance.

Ensure you back up any unsaved data, as force closing the app may result in data loss. 

iPhone

1. Swipe up on your screen to open the apps menu. 
2. Find the Peloton app.
3. Swipe up on the app preview to close it. 
4. Swipe up from the bottom again to return to the home screen.

Android

1. Tap the square button at the bottom of the screen.
2. Find the Peloton app on the apps menu.
3. Swipe left or right to close it. 
4. Swipe up from the bottom to return to the home screen.

After closing the app, launch it again and see if it tracks your distance accurately. 

2. Make Sure Your Device’s GPS is Enabled

Next, enable your device’s GPS to ensure the Peloton app tracks your location and distance correctly during outdoor workouts.

If the GPS is disabled, the app won’t be able to pick up your location and record your distance. 

iPhone

1. Open your device’s Settings menu.
2. Tap on Privacy.
3. Select Location Services.
4. Ensure Location Services is turned on.
5. Scroll down and find the Peloton app.
6. Tap on the app. 
7. Set location access to While Using or Always.

Android

1. Go to your phone’s Settings menu.
2. Tap on Location.
3. Ensure Location is turned on.
4. Tap on App Permission.
5. Find the Peloton app and tap on it.
6. Set location access to Allow all the time or Allow only while using the app.

Note: GPS drains your battery, so pay attention to its impact and adjust the settings accordingly. 

3. Turn On Cellular Data Before You Start Your Outdoor Workout

The Peloton app needs cellular data to communicate with its servers and sync your data.

Before you start your outdoor workout, turn on your cellular data and ensure you have sufficient data available on your plan to support streaming workouts. 

iPhone

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Cellular.
3. Ensure your Cellular Data is turned on.
4. Scroll down and find the Peloton app.
5. Ensure cellular data access is turned on. 

Android

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Network & Internet.
3. Select Mobile Network.
4. Ensure Mobile Data is turned on.
5. Tap on App Data Usage.
6. Find the Peloton app.
7. Ensure mobile data access is turned on.

Note: Streaming workouts drains your device’s battery life, so be prepared with a charged device or a power source. 

4. Switch Off WiFi to Avoid Interference

Occasionally, your WiFi causes interference with the GPS signal of your device, making the Peloton app unstable or inaccurate.

In this case, you need to switch off your WiFi. This will improve your GPS’s accuracy and stability during outdoor workouts. 

iPhone

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on WiFi.
3. Turn off the WiFi toggle.  

Android

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Network & Internet.
3. Select WiFi.
4. Turn off the WiFi toggle. 

After turning off the WiFi, do an outdoor workout and see if your Peloton app tracks your distance accurately. 

5. Give the Peloton App Permission to Track Location

Sometimes, the app doesn’t have permission to track your location due to some changes in your device’s settings and updates.

This causes the app not to record your distance. To address the issue, give the Peloton app permission to track location. 

iPhone

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Privacy.
3. Select Location.
4. Find the Peloton app.
5. Ensure the tracking access is turned on. 

Android

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Google.
3. Select Permissions.
4. Choose Location History.
5. Find the Peloton app.
6. Ensure the location history access is turned on.

Once you have given the app permission to track your location, perform an outdoor workout and see if the Peloton app tracks your distance accurately. 

6. Enable Location Services on the Peloton App

If you’re still experiencing issues with the Peloton app not recording distance, check the location services.

If it’s disabled, your app won’t be able to track your distance.  The problem usually arises due to changes in the app’s settings or updates. 

Here are the steps to enable location services on iPhone and Android devices: 

1. Open the Peloton app.
2. Tap on More at the bottom right corner of the screen.
3. Go to Settings.
4. Tap on Privacy & Security.
5. Select Location Services and ensure it’s turned on. 

Note: Understand which Peloton features rely on location data and how they enhance your workout experience. 

7. Calibrate Your Device’s Compass for Accuracy

An inaccurate or unstable GPS signal is usually caused by an improperly calibrated compass on your device. To fix this, calibrate your  Peloton device’s compass for accuracy.

But first, find a location with minimal magnetic interference, away from metal objects and electronic devices.

iPhone

1. Open the Compass app.
2. Follow the instructions on the screen to calibrate it. 

Android

1. Open Google Maps.
2. Tap on the blue dot that represents your location.
3. Open the Compass app.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen to calibrate it. 

Tip: Calibrate the compass regularly, especially before performing exercises that rely on precise direction or orientation data. 

8. Clear the Peloton App’s Temporary and Cache Files 

If the issue persists, consider clearing your Peloton app’s temporary and cache files.

Accumulated files also cause problems with the app’s functionality. Removing it not only frees storage but also improves app performance. 

iPhone

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on General.
3. Select the iPhone Storage option.
4. Find the Peloton app and tap on it.
5. Tap on Offload App and confirm.
6. Tap on Reinstall App.
7. Wait for it to download again. 

Android

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Apps & Notifications.
3. Select See All Apps.
4. Find the Peloton app and tap on it.
5. Tap on Storage & Cache.
6. Select Clear Storage.
7. Tap OK to confirm.
8. Sign in to the app again. 

Note: Clearing the cache will result in losing temporary data and settings, but it won’t affect your user data. 

9. Restart the Workout In the Middle of Your Workout

Restarting the workout in the middle of your session is helpful if the app is not tracking your distance correctly from the start of your exercise due to unknown causes.

It will erase your previous workout data, so do this as a last resort. 

Here are the steps for both iPhone and Android:

1. Tap on the Pause button at the bottom of the screen.
2. Tap on End Workout and confirm.
3. Tap on Start New Workout.
4. Choose your workout type and instructor.
5. Resume your workout and see if the issue is resolved. 

Tip: Adjust your goals and expectations accordingly, as restarting will affect your workout’s overall results. 

10. Use a Connected Watch or Fitness Band

Finally, use a connected watch or fitness band. Likely, your app isn’t able to track your distance correctly due to limitations with your device’s GPS or cellular data.

A connected watch or fitness band will accurately track and record your distance. 

Important: Ensure your watch or fitness band is compatible with the Peloton app. 

Here’s how to do this on both iPhone and Android:

1. Pair your watch or fitness band with your device via Bluetooth or WiFi. 
2. Start your workout on the Peloton app.
3. See if it tracks your distance accurately. 

If the problem persists, contact Peloton’s customer support for assistance. They’ll provide specific guidance or solutions to address the distance tracking issue. 

Quick Recap

To wrap this up, your Peloton app not tracking distance means an issue with the app. Enable your device’s GPS and cellular data to accurately track your location and distance.

If this doesn’t work, allow your app to track your location or use a connected watch or fitness band. 

For more Peloton troubleshooting tips, visit our blog!