10 Genius Ways to Cheat a Step Counter on a Phone (No Walking Required)

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: August 30, 2022 References

Sometimes companies or schools obligate their employees or students to take part in a step count challenge. Though the intention behind it might be good, let’s face it—you don’t always have the time or desire to get out and walk 10,000 steps or more every day. Luckily, there are ways you can cheat your phone’s step counter to reach those step goals. We’ve put together this list of ways to trick a step counter recommended by others in the same boat as you.

1

Hold your phone and swing your arm back and forth.

This is an easy way to simulate steps without going anywhere. Grab your phone tightly in one hand while sitting or standing. Simply swing your arm back and forth to rack up the steps!^{[1]
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- If your arm gets tired, just pass the phone to your other hand and keep going. Alternate as many times as you need to until you reach the desired number of steps.
- You can also swing your arm side to side. The direction you swing your phone in doesn’t matter.

2

Shake your wrist back and forth with your phone in it.

Here’s another way to get steps without moving your whole arm. Grab your phone in one hand, palm facing forward, and twist your wrist quickly side to side. This works in any position.^{[2]
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- You could even do this one lying down while you watch a movie in bed!

3

Stick your phone in your sock and swing your legs around.

This is a great way to get steps while sitting at a desk. Wear long socks and shove your phone down securely inside one of them. Make your chair high enough that you can swing your legs, then kick them back and forth to get a bunch of steps without ever getting out of your chair.^{[3]
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- You could also keep your phone in your sock while you work or study at home, so it’s always with you and counts steps anytime you get up to go to the bathroom or grab a bite to eat. That way, you don’t forget it on your desk and miss counting precious movements!

4

Tape your phone to a bike wheel and spin it without riding it.

Spinning your phone upside-down on a bike’s wheel counts as steps. Flip a bicycle upside down, so the seat and handlebars are firmly on the floor. Hold your phone against the spokes and wrap masking tape around it a few times to secure it in place. Spin the wheel around with your hand to increase the step count on your phone.^{[4]
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- Make sure that your phone can clear the tubes of the bike frame that the wheel is attached to or this won’t work.

5

Attach your phone to the top of a robotic vacuum.

Clean your home and get steps in all at once. Tape your phone to the top of the vacuum with something like packing tape or masking tape. Turn your robot helper on and let it do its job and earn steps for you at the same time!^{[5]
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- If you don’t have a robotic vacuum, you could try taping your phone to the handle of a regular vacuum, or even a broom or a mop, to earn some steps while you clean your floor.

6

Use a step count increaser gadget.

Yes, there’s an invention to help you cheat a step counter on your phone. Purchase one of the pendulum-like gadgets online. Place your phone in the basket and turn the device on. Let it swing your phone back and forth for as long as you like.^{[6]
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- These gadgets are also known as perpetual motion machines. They’re available online for about $15 USD plus shipping.

7

Fix your phone securely to a ceiling fan.

The spinning motion of the fan’s blades counts as steps. Find a way to securely attach your phone to the top of a fan blade, such as with rubber bands or tape. Turn the fan on and let it go until you attain the number of steps you want.^{[7]
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- Make sure the fan is totally off and motionless before you attach or remove your phone from it.

8

Tape your phone tightly to a tennis racket.

Get your steps in while you practice your ball control. Put your phone at the top of the handle of a tennis racket and wrap tape around it a few times until it’s nice and secure. Grab a tennis ball and start bouncing it up and down in the air while standing or sitting to accumulate steps.^{[8]
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- Avoid using strong tapes like duct tape that leave a sticky residue behind. Something like masking tape or blue painter’s tape is a better idea.
- Alternatively, tape your phone securely to the handle of a golf club to make it count steps while you hit golf balls.

9

Attach your phone securely to your dog.

Let your four-legged friend take those steps for you. Tuck your phone into your dog’s collar and make sure it’s nice and secure. Let your dog walk around your home or yard to accumulate steps for you while they do whatever dog’s do throughout the day.^{[9]
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- If you do this, make sure your dog isn’t going swimming or taking your phone anywhere it could get damaged.

10

Wrap your phone in something soft and tumble dry it with no heat.

The tumbling of the dryer makes the step counter think you’re walking. Put your phone inside a thick, cushy sock and wrap it up tightly, so it doesn’t fall out. Set your dryer to the no heat cycle and put the sock in the machine for up to an hour and a half or until it counts as many steps as you want.^{[10]
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- Do this at your own risk! If you accidentally turn the heat on or if your phone falls out of the sock, your phone could get damaged.
- You could also wrap your phone up in something else that’s soft, like a towel or a shirt, and wrap tape around it to secure it.