At long last, Pokémon GO will support background distance tracking. One of the longest requested, most needed features is here and available to anyone over level 5. It’s called Adventure Sync.

Those concerned with hatching eggs and collecting candy are all too aware that if the game isn’t open and active, it won’t track your distance traveled. This made it difficult to get those step in you need without holding your phone out in front of you the entire time. But with the most recent update, the Adventure Sync update, the app can now track your steps all the time, not just when running.

This is done with a new compatibility between the Pokémon GO app and the iOS HealthKit/Google Fit app. The feature will report the user’s health information obtained through the built-in programs to Pokémon GO. Since the health apps require little power and no digital focus to operate and Pokémon GO doesn’t even need to be running, battery life can be notably extended.

In a post by Niantic CEO John Hanke, he states his motivations for keeping the game an active one, and how the Adventure Sync method will likely extend beyond just Pokémon GO.

“47% of Trainers indicated that they felt their physical activity level had increased since playing, and the same number felt that playing Pokémon Go helped them connect with others. This type of response from the community reinforces our commitment to not only create innovative real-world games, but also to invest in features like Adventure Sync, which provides a gentle but effective motivation loop that encourages people to get outside and be active every day.”

Adventure Sync is available now to all players level 5 and above.