You’re trying to update your calorie goals on MyFitnessPal, but you keep hitting a wall. Maybe you’re seeing an error message like “cannot update goals at this time,” or the app just isn’t reflecting your new weight or fitness plan. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. This issue has frustrated many users, but the good news is there are straightforward ways to fix it. Let’s walk through why this happens and how you can get your goals updated in no time.

What’s Stopping Your MyFitnessPal Goals from Updating?
MyFitnessPal is a go-to app for tracking your nutrition and fitness, but let’s be real – it’s not flawless. When your calorie goals refuse to update, it’s often due to a hiccup in the app’s system. Users have run into this frustration for various reasons, from pesky bugs in older app versions to miscommunications between the app and the website. Sometimes, the app just needs a little push to recalculate your goals based on your latest weight or activity level. Let’s break down the main culprits behind these goal-update roadblocks so you can better understand what’s going on.
App Bugs Causing Errors
One of the biggest reasons your goals aren’t updating is outdated software. In late 2024, many users reported issues with calorie goal updates, particularly with app versions before the 24.45.1 release in November. These older versions had bugs that disrupted the goal-setting process, leading to error messages like “cannot update goals at this time.” If you’re using an older app, it might not be equipped to handle the latest database changes or user inputs, leaving your goals stuck.
Sync Problems Between App and Website
Another common issue is a breakdown in communication between the MyFitnessPal app and its website. The app relies on syncing data with your online profile, but sometimes this process gets out of whack. For example, changes made on the website might not immediately reflect in the app, or vice versa. This sync issue can prevent your updated goals from showing up, leaving you frustrated when the app doesn’t reflect your latest settings.
Missing or Outdated User Input
Sometimes, the problem comes down to your profile settings. MyFitnessPal recalculates your calorie goals based on factors like your current weight, activity level, and fitness objectives. If you haven’t logged a recent weight or updated your profile details, the app won’t automatically adjust your goals. For instance, the app prompts a recalculation every 10 pounds of weight change, but if you’ve skipped logging your progress, it won’t know to update your targets. Similarly, changes in your exercise routine or dietary preferences might not trigger a goal update unless you manually tweak your settings.

Quick Fixes to Update Your MyFitnessPal Goals
Let’s get to the solutions. These are tried-and-true methods from MyFitnessPal users and official support channels.
1. Use the Website to Update Your Goals
Sometimes, the app is the problem, but the MyFitnessPal website is a reliable workaround. Here’s how to do it:
- Head to www.myfitnesspal.com and log in.
- Click “My Home,” then “Goals,” and find the “View Guided Setup” button.
- Check that your Current Weight is accurate, then hit “Update Profile.”
This recalculates your calorie goals based on your latest weight. Once updated, open the app, log out, and log back in to sync the changes. If the app still doesn’t reflect the update, try clearing the app’s storage (don’t worry, this won’t delete your account data):
- On your phone, go to Settings > Apps > MyFitnessPal > Storage > Clear Storage.
- Log back into the app, and your goals should match the website.
This workaround worked for many users in November 2024 when the app was acting up.
2. Trick the App into Recalculating
If you prefer sticking with the app, you can force a goal update by tweaking your weight:
- Open MyFitnessPal and go to “Goals” (check the Menu or “More” tab).
- Change your current weight to something slightly different (e.g., add or subtract a pound). Save the change.
- Go back and enter your actual weight, then save again.
This back-and-forth prompts the app to recalculate your calorie goals. It’s a bit of a hack, but it’s an official tip from MyFitnessPal’s Help Center.
3. Update to the Latest App Version
In November 2024, MyFitnessPal released version 24.45.1 to fix goal-update errors. If you’re on an older version, this could be the culprit. Here’s what to do:
- Go to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Search for MyFitnessPal and check for updates.
- If 24.45.1 (or newer) is available, install it.
For a clean slate, some users found success by uninstalling the app completely, reinstalling the updated version, and logging back in. One user on a Pixel 8 Pro reported that this fixed the issue, with all their data intact after a slightly slow login.
4. Check Your Weight Entries
MyFitnessPal recalculates your calorie goals every 10 pounds of weight loss (or gain) you log. If you haven’t updated your weight recently, the app won’t adjust your goals. To check:
- In the app, go to “Progress” or “Check-In” and log your current weight.
- On the website, update your weight under “Goals” as described above.
If you’ve logged an incorrect weight by mistake, you can edit it in the same sections.
What If These Fixes Don’t Work?
If you’ve tried everything and your goals still won’t update, here are a few extra steps:
- Submit a Request: Visit the MyFitnessPal Help Center and submit a support ticket. The team is aware of goal-update issues and can guide you.
- Check the Database: Some users noted that app issues might stem from broken database links. A fresh app install (as mentioned above) often resolves this.
- Be Patient: If you’re waiting on an app update, keep an eye on the Play Store or App Store for the latest version.

ReciMe: Your Recipe-Based Alternative to MyFitnessPal
At ReciMe, we offer a simpler, more enjoyable way to manage your nutrition. ReciMe isn’t your typical calorie-counting app – it’s a smart recipe organizer that makes tracking effortless by focusing on full meals instead of individual ingredients. Just save your favorite recipes from Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube, or even a photo, and ReciMe will automatically calculate calories and macronutrients for you.
With ReciMe, you can plan delicious meals while staying aligned with your nutritional goals. It’s perfect for anyone who loves the tracking features of MyFitnessPal but wants a faster, more creative experience. ReciMe also helps you organize recipes into custom cookbooks, plan your weekly meals, and generate smart grocery lists – sorted by aisle or by recipe – to make shopping simple.
Why Choose ReciMe?
- Recipe-Driven Calorie Tracking: Save a recipe, and ReciMe calculates its calories and macros instantly.
- Time-Saving Simplicity: The app streamlines meal planning and grocery shopping, so you can focus on cooking, not number-crunching.
- Creative and Versatile: ReciMe lets you collect recipes from social media or personal notes, making it easy to try new dishes while hitting your health goals.
- Free and Premium Options: The free version supports up to 8 recipe saves, while the premium version offers unlimited saves and advanced meal planning tools.
- Platform Availability: Available on iOS and Android with a Chrome extension for quick recipe saving.
At ReciMe, we’re here to transform calorie tracking into a fun, recipe-centered experience. ReciMe takes the hassle out of nutrition management, helping you plan and enjoy healthy meals with ease.
Just try it – you’ll love it:


Conclusion
Updating your MyFitnessPal goals should be a breeze, but when glitches strike, it can feel like a roadblock on your fitness journey. By using the website workaround, tricking the app with a weight tweak, installing the latest app version (like 24.45.1), or ensuring your weight entries are up to date, you can get your calorie goals back in sync. If all else fails, reach out to MyFitnessPal’s support team or lean on the community for tips. Don’t let a tech hiccup derail your progress – try these fixes and keep crushing your goals!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why does MyFitnessPal say “cannot update goals at this time”?
This error often stems from app bugs, especially in older versions before the 24.45.1 update in November 2024, or sync issues between the app and website. Try updating your goals on the website or installing the latest app version.
2. How do I force MyFitnessPal to recalculate my calorie goals?
On the website, go to “My Home” > “Goals” > “View Guided Setup,” update your weight, and save. In the app, change your weight to a different value, save, then revert to your actual weight to trigger a recalculation.
3. Will clearing MyFitnessPal’s app storage delete my data?
No, clearing storage (via phone settings) won’t delete your account data. It resets app settings, forcing a fresh sync with your online profile, which can fix goal-update issues.
4. What should I do if the website workaround doesn’t sync with the app?
Log out of the app, clear its storage (Settings > Apps > MyFitnessPal > Storage > Clear Storage), then log back in. This often resolves sync problems after updating goals on the website.
5. How often does MyFitnessPal update calorie goals?
The app prompts a goal recalculation every 10 pounds of weight loss or gain you log. You can manually trigger this by updating your weight on the website or app.
6. What if the 24.45.1 update doesn’t fix my goal-update issue?
Uninstall the app, reinstall the latest version from the Play Store or App Store, and log in. If the problem persists, submit a support ticket via the MyFitnessPal Help Center.