samaki

Q: Apple Watch Series 2 does measure elevation gain or altitude?

Hi,

 

I'm confused, the Series 2 watch is not supposed to have a barometer, but today after I looked up a workout (outdoor cycle) in the activity app on my iPhone I saw "elevation gain" (622 m) and it was spot on (when compared to a parallel measurement with a Garmin 920XT). I registered the workout on the watch but had my iPhone (6s) in my pocket. So, either the Watch Series 2 does altitude/elevation measurements or it's drawing these data from my iPhone... I will experiment further, next time without taking my iPhone along.

 

Meanwhile, has someone made similar observations?

 

And of course, I'd be grateful for any help on how to export workouts (write to GPX etc).

 

Best wishes and thanks

Apple Watch Series 2, watchOS 3

Posted on Oct 2, 2016 1:29 PM

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Q: Apple Watch Series 2 does measure elevation gain or altitude?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by lllaass,Apple recommended

    lllaass lllaass Oct 3, 2016 5:41 AM in response to samaki
    Level 10 (190,258 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 3, 2016 5:41 AM in response to samaki

    Yes, the watch/app will draw elevation data from your phone when it is within range.

  • by samaki,

    samaki samaki Oct 3, 2016 5:42 AM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (18 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 3, 2016 5:42 AM in response to lllaass

    Thanks. This perhaps also explains why the battery on my iPhone is now draining so quickly...

     

    Since you're an expert, would also have an advise re my export of tracks related question...?

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Oct 3, 2016 6:38 AM in response to samaki
    Level 10 (190,258 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 3, 2016 6:38 AM in response to samaki

    I am not an expert yet. I have just been reading this forum and other web information on Apple Watch Series 2.

    I ordered the Nike+ and it will not be sipped till late Oct

  • by cycler15,

    cycler15 cycler15 Oct 3, 2016 2:50 PM in response to samaki
    Level 1 (64 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 3, 2016 2:50 PM in response to samaki

    I'm curious where you are seeing elevation gain on your bike ride.  I've done a run with the Watch and my iPhone on me and when I view my workout, I don't see elevation anywhere on the Watch or iPhone Activity App.  Am I missing something?

  • by samaki,

    samaki samaki Oct 3, 2016 11:48 PM in response to cycler15
    Level 1 (18 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 3, 2016 11:48 PM in response to cycler15

    Hi,

     

    I found this info in the summary of the workout (screenshot attached). I say "summary" because it lacks charts for elevation, heart rate, speed etc. Very rudimentary and of course, the lock-in (apparently no way to export those data) is a bummer.

     

    IMG_7604.PNG

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Oct 4, 2016 12:54 AM in response to samaki
    Level 8 (37,898 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 4, 2016 12:54 AM in response to samaki

    Hi

     

    Tap on the Route icon to view your route.

  • by samaki,

    samaki samaki Oct 4, 2016 1:04 AM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (18 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 4, 2016 1:04 AM in response to Jonathan UK

    Ok, yes I did (it's obvious I thought). But how will this bring up the charts? Can you please elaborate a bit?

  • by cycler15,

    cycler15 cycler15 Oct 4, 2016 8:56 AM in response to samaki
    Level 1 (64 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 4, 2016 8:56 AM in response to samaki

    Interesting.  When I go to that same view for my run, elevation is NOT shown.  Everything else is the same.  You think they would show elevation for both runs and bike rides, since they are getting the elevation from the GPS map route.

  • by samaki,

    samaki samaki Oct 4, 2016 2:10 PM in response to cycler15
    Level 1 (18 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 4, 2016 2:10 PM in response to cycler15

    Hi,

     

    Did you take your iPhone with you? It's because apparently if the phone is within (bluetooth) range, the watch will use the phone's barometer for calculating altitude (it probably even uses the phone's GPS, but that's just my guessing).

  • by cycler15,

    cycler15 cycler15 Oct 4, 2016 2:12 PM in response to samaki
    Level 1 (64 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 4, 2016 2:12 PM in response to samaki

    Yes, i had my phone with me.  I take it on all of my runs because I listen to Spotify.

     

    Anyone else tracked a run with their watch and iPHone and had elevation gain tracked?