Get your steps syncing with Walking Layers
Health Connect is essential for modern Android step-counting apps because Google is phasing out the Google Fit API, which previously served this function. Health Connect provides a centralised, on-device hub for health and fitness data, offering users greater privacy and control over which apps can access their information.
For developers, this means a single, unified platform for accessing step data and other health metrics, simplifying development and ensuring a more consistent user experience across different apps and devices. This transition is part of Google's effort to streamline its health services and provide a more secure and integrated ecosystem for both users and developers.
Health Connect by Google can be found on the Play Store. Please confirm it is installed and configured before using Walking Layers.
Download Health ConnectWhen you first sync your steps in Walking Layers, you will be asked to grant permission to the data.
✅ Privacy First: Only step data is requested and is not used for any purpose outside of the game. Your health information stays on your device.
Launch the Walking Layers app on your Android device.
Navigate to the main menu and select the sync steps option.
You'll be prompted to allow Walking Layers to access your step count from Health Connect. Tap "Allow" to continue.
Your steps will now automatically sync to Walking Layers, unlocking story progress as you walk.
For best results—and not just for Walking Layers—it is advisable to set your primary step provider and/or remove additional providers, as this can create duplicate data.
Launch the Health Connect app from your app drawer.
Go to Manage Data → Data Sources and Priority
With "Activity" showing, locate your primary source of fitness data.
Click on the three dots next to your primary source (e.g., Samsung Health, Fitbit, Google Fit) and select Move Up until it's in position #1.
For any secondary sources you don't use (like Google Fit if Samsung Health is your primary), click the three dots and select Remove. You can re-add them later if needed.
⚠️ Example: If Samsung Health is your trusted provider of data and Google Fit is showing at position #2, remove Google Fit to avoid duplicate step counts. It can be re-added if required.
If you wish to manage what applications can read and write data, this can be achieved via the Health Connect settings.
Launch the Health Connect app.
Navigate to Data and Access
Tap on Steps to view which apps have access.
Under Steps Access, you'll see a list of all apps with permission to read or write step data. You can toggle permissions on/off for individual apps here.
Walking Layers will only appear in this list if you've granted it access. You can revoke access at any time, though this will prevent the app from syncing your steps.
⚠️ Important Note: This document was provided for explanation as to how step data is obtained. Health Connect is not a SO application and we cannot offer technical support for the Health Connect app itself. For Health Connect issues, please contact Google Support.
Now that Health Connect is configured, download Walking Layers and turn your steps into epic stories!
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