Level 1

17 points

Elevation Gain Problem With Series 4 Apple Watch

My new series 4 Apple Watch will not display any elevation gain in the Workout app. The display for outdoor cycling stays stuck on "0 FT ELEV" despite miles of pedaling up and down hills. The watch is paired to my iPhone X.

My wife also has a new series 4 Apple Watch paired to her iPhone 8 plus. Hers displays the correct elevation gain. I have unpaired both watches and re-paired them to the opposite iPhones - mine to her 8 plus and hers to my X. When I do that my watch works properly when paired to the 8 plus and her watch fails when paired to my X. In other words, both watches display the proper elevation gain when paired to the 8 plus and both watches fail to display this when paired to my iPhone X.

I have tried many things:

The OS is up to date on the phones and the watches.

The activity and health app data is correct.

I have unpaired and re-paired the watch a half-dozen times.

I have powered off and on the watch and phone.

I have taken the watch to the Genius Bar at my local Apple store.

I have spoken to Apple telephone support. That is being referred to an "engineer".

I have installed a third party barometer app on the watch and the phone, and both display the correct altitude.

Any ideas ?

Apple Watch

Posted on Dec 15, 2018 10:12 PM

Top-ranking reply

jwasiak

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Mar 24, 2019 3:01 PM

I was having this same issue. Elevation was stuck at zero when recording activities where there had been elevation change. I also noticed that when away from my phone that the watch on its own would record elevation which seemed to indicate there was no hardware issue with the watch altimeter.

I had also tried many of the things listed above (i.e. updated software, restarted devices, unpairing/re-pairing, etc.).

Solution:

After pairing/re-pairing the I noticed in iphone Settings/Privacy/Motion & Fitness that 'Fitness Tracking' was not turned on. When I turned this on and tested the watch it started recording elevation.

I had previously looked at various settings within Privacy/Location Services that all looked to be set correctly. I just happened to notice the 'Motion & Fitness' setting outside of the Location Services options which, for some reason, was turned off.

Hope this helps!

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44 replies

Swiftharbor Author

Level 1

17 points

Jan 12, 2019 9:11 AM in response to seanfromllanelli

Ta,

Thanks for the education. I didn't know that. I'll test the watch solo today and report back.

Jan 12, 2019 9:23 AM in response to Swiftharbor

No worries! All the data from your watch will load up when you are back with your phone. Ta

Swiftharbor Author

Level 1

17 points

Jan 23, 2019 6:37 AM in response to seanfromllanelli

Thanks Ta,

The update is scheduled to install tonight. I'll let you know how it works.

Jan 23, 2019 6:43 AM in response to imran_hafeez

I have installed new on 5.1.3 and still issue is continuing

Jan 23, 2019 7:00 AM in response to seanfromllanelli

I am using them one at a time.

I did cycling on same route using workout app only and elevation gain was 0

I did cycling on same route using strava app only and elevation gain was 34M

Jan 24, 2019 12:10 PM in response to Philly_Phan

Sorry no idea are answering or a question to other post? So not really sure what you are asking. Ta

Jan 24, 2019 12:13 PM in response to Philly_Phan

You will get no notifications unless there are already in the Watch. Like reminders. Are one and calendar is the other. Ta

Philly_Phan

Level 7

20,737 points

Jan 24, 2019 12:36 PM in response to seanfromllanelli

Hmmm... I'll have to play around a bit when I get the Watch. Thanks.

Jan 24, 2019 12:51 PM in response to Philly_Phan

Deleted

Feb 8, 2019 6:25 AM in response to Swiftharbor

Well not an answer anyone wants to hear. Strange it works for some and not for others. Thanks for the update.

Jan 12, 2019 3:51 PM in response to Swiftharbor

Try opening your compass on your iPhone X. Post a screen shot of it. Should look like below. Ta

In order to see the elevation:

First you need to enable Location Services. Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Compass and select "while using".

Wherever you are, you can find the elevation by going to the Compass App.

compass.png

SteeeeeP

Level 1

4 points

Feb 2, 2019 11:08 AM in response to seanfromllanelli

I have a similar issue. I have a AW Series 4 cellular paired to an iPhone 7. my girlfriend sports an AW Series 4 w/o celluar paired to an IPhone 7+. While her watch records elevation gain correctly. My watch measures elevation gain massively off. Sometimes 3x the actual gain.

Issue is unfortunately easily reproducible.

Swiftharbor Author

Level 1

17 points

Mar 25, 2019 4:32 PM in response to jwasiak

jwasiak,

BINGO !

I think you solved it. I checked the privacy settings on my iPhone X and they were turned off just like in your example. I then walked uphill to my next-door neighbor's house and the watch registered 12 ft. of elevation gain for the first time when paired to my iPhone X. I'll check it out more thoroughly on Wednesday when I have my next long bicycle ride but I'm confident that you nailed it.

Take a bow.

Jan 23, 2019 7:20 AM in response to imran_hafeez

Yes that would suggest there is an issue with the Watch. Where are you seeing your elevation gain for Strava? Ta

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Elevation Gain Problem With Series 4 Apple Watch