{"id":71170,"date":"2021-02-12T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-12T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/?p=71170"},"modified":"2021-02-11T16:44:02","modified_gmt":"2021-02-11T22:44:02","slug":"calibrating-apple-watch-step-tracking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/71170-calibrating-apple-watch-step-tracking\/","title":{"rendered":"Calibrating Apple Watch Step Tracking"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Do you wonder if your Apple Watch<\/strong> is accurately counting the number of steps you take each day? A friend of mine was complaining that her new Apple Watch was consistently showing fewer steps than her old \u201cmanual\u201d pedometer, so she asked me to find out what was wrong. In this post, I\u2019ll describe some common situations that cause Apple Watch step tracking to be miscounted, and how to recalibrate your Watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Common Situations That Cause Apple Watch Step Tracking to Be Miscounted<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a couple of things that you can do to ensure that your Apple Watch can count steps accurately. These may sound trite, but they do<\/em> make a difference!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make Sure Your Apple Watch is Snug<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Step count accuracy needs a Watch that\u2019s able to feel the movement of your arm without any extra \u201cflopping around\u201d. The Watch should be snug on your wrist, not so tight that you\u2019re losing circulation, but also not so loose that your Watch can slide on your arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check Your Personal Data<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When your Watch estimates your stride length, it does so by using personal data such as your height and weight. A tall person takes longer strides than a short one, and a heavier person takes shorter strides than a lighter body would.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Launch the Health app<\/strong> on your iPhone. On the Summary page, tap the blue link titled \u201cShow All Health Data\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scroll down to Weight<\/strong>. Those who use a connected scale and have added that scale to Health as a data source should see their most recent weight reading listed. If not, add the connected scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who aren\u2019t using connected scales, tap Weight, then tap Add Data (highlighted in red below) to enter your latest weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Add
Add your most current weight to All Health Data if it is not accurate<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The other factor is your Height<\/strong>. Continue scrolling down until you find the listing for Height. Tap it, then tap Add Data to enter an accurate height.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ensure
Ensure that your height data is correct<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you wish to see what the Apple Watch and Health app considers to be your average step length, scroll down and tap on Step Length<\/strong>. That\u2019s the distance between your front and back foot when you\u2019re walking. The longer that length, the better your long term mobility outlook is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Calibrate the Apple Watch Step Tracker<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To calibrate the step tracker, you need to take a walk or run. Before you do that, it\u2019s important to ensure that your Location Services settings are allowing your Apple Watch to measure your distance walked or run via GPS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Checking Location Services Settings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Launch Settings on your iPhone, then scroll down to Privacy and tap it. At the top of the screen is a listing for Location Services. Tap on it, and if the button on the next screen shows \u201cOff\u201d, tap it to turn Location Services On.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Make
Make sure Location Services are enabled for Apple Watch Workout<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Now scroll down to the list of apps that use Location Services. One of those is Apple Watch Workout<\/strong> (see screenshot above). Make sure that it\u2019s showing \u201cWhile Using,\u201d which means the Apple Watch can track your location and distance moved while you\u2019re working out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it\u2019s \u201cNever\u201d, then tap on Apple Watch Workout and select \u201cWhile using the app\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a Walk (or Run)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the part of the calibration process that is actually good for you! You need to take a 20-minute walk or run. You don\u2019t need to do it all at once, so if your fitness level doesn\u2019t allow you to take a 20-minute walk or run, break it up into shorter sessions that add up to 20 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You need to run or walk somewhere that is relatively flat, with good GPS reception, preferably on a cloudless day. For those who have an original or Series 1 Apple Watch, make sure you take your iPhone with you. Newer Apple Watches don\u2019t need an iPhone nearby in order to capture location data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s calibrate!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Launch the Workout app on the Apple Watch (circled in red in the screenshot below):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tap
Tap the Workout app button on the Apple Watch<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tap the Outdoor Run or Outdoor Walk workout, then tap the three dots (\u2026) button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tap
Tap the three dots to set a timed goal for an outside walk or run<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tap the Time button, and use the + and – buttons to set a 20-minute walk or run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tap
Tap the Time button to create a 20-minute timed workout<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Begin the workout by tapping Start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Once
Once the timed workout is set, tap Start and begin walking or running<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Each time you run or walk, the Apple Watch calibrates. The more you work out using the Apple Watch, the more accurate the step counter becomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Still Not Working Properly? Reset Fitness Calibration Data<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps you\u2019ve tried the tips here and you still don\u2019t feel that the Step Tracking is accurate. The best thing to do in that case is to Reset Fitness Calibration Data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Launch the Watch app on your iPhone, then scroll down to Privacy and tap it. Tap Reset Fitness Calibration Data (see image below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tap
Tap Reset Fitness Calibration Data to delete calibration data and history<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A dialog appears asking if you\u2019re sure you want to permanently delete the calibration data and history. Tap Reset Fitness Calibration Data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the data has been deleted, go back to the Take a Walk (or Run) section of this article and do your calibration workout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The accuracy of your Apple Watch step tracker should improve by taking these simple steps. Now get out there and exercise! Check out another recent Apple Watch tip on The Rocket Yard<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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