Level 1

88 points

Activity GPS issues after watchOS 7 and iOS 14 updates

This morning I upgraded my iPhone XS Max to iOS 14 and my S4 Watch to watchOS 7. I then went for a run, using the Outdoor Run activity on my Watch as usual, holding my iPhone while I ran (as I was listening to a podcast with AirPods). When I finished, everything was recorded as normal, and I could sync the activity to Strava.

Later, I went for a walk. I used the Outdoor Walk activity on my Watch, but this time didn't take my iPhone. When I returned, and attempted to upload the activity to Strava, I received a warning that no GPS/route data was present. I checked the Fitness and Health apps, and sure enough, there was no route on the map - only the starting point.

I spoke to someone at Apple Support and they suggested I turned off/back on a couple of related privacy settings. I have since tried another Outdoor Walk activity, without the phone present, and the problem persists - no GPS/route data.

My wife also tried the same this evening, after upgrading her iPhone X and S4 Watch too. She had the same results - i.e. with just the Watch, no GPS/route information was saved with the activity.

This seems like a bug to me. Has anyone else experienced the same issue, or has any suggestions as to how to fix it?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Apple Watch Series 4, watchOS 7

Posted on Sep 17, 2020 1:24 PM

Top-ranking reply

Pillow1337

Level 1

4 points

Posted on May 8, 2021 11:43 PM

It also seemed to me, as if turning wifi off on the phone and watch helped. My theory is that the phone doesnt use GPS on an active workout and thus falls back to locating me via nearby wifi SSIDs. This would also explain the extreme rubberbanding of the position indicated in Apple or Google Maps on the phone while a workout is running on the Watch. But some time ago I was pretty sure that I turned Wifi off and still got really low quality of location tracking on a workout....

I think there is something wrong with the phones location API that doesnt want to go into "full power" GPS tracking during a Watch workout so the watch just receives garbage location data...

The only real 100% working workaround is turning on Airplane Mode on the Watch before workouts so it has to use its internal GPS. This has always lead to perfect tracking for me.

View in context

Similar questions

1,375 replies

Mar 19, 2021 2:33 AM in response to GeorgeRomero

Exactly all my data appears to have disappeared. Not touching a thing. Needs sorting

Apr 12, 2021 12:59 PM in response to MayoTom

Thanks, I have downloaded mapmywalk and will test. Hope Appel fixes this bug soon

Cruteal

Level 1

4 points

May 2, 2021 5:57 PM in response to jenniferfromolathe

Awatch 6 gps and iphone 12pm here and still have the problem on latest ios… Maybe I should get a watch that could do training like the new one plus!

RunFa

Level 1

12 points

May 3, 2021 5:10 AM in response to jenniferfromolathe

Yes, but we have bought Apple, not another brand...I think this is a huge lack on their part.

maybe we have to push for a resolution (maybe on Twitter they could listen better?).

Cruteal

Level 1

4 points

May 8, 2021 4:00 PM in response to jenniferfromolathe

I’ve started my workout far from any wifi and it still doesn't work, although I’ve had the workout function properly a few times on random. Don’t know why though.

May 17, 2021 10:08 PM in response to ddmckay84

I seem to have a similar problem. Stats like distance seem fine but the map start point doesn’t seem to show until well into the activity

May 18, 2021 6:12 AM in response to jlocke13844

Same here. But, after a few accurate workouts, it stops tracking again. It’s sporadic for sure. I thought I had it solved with the wifi off, but no such luck.

Jay7788

Level 1

4 points

Jun 15, 2021 8:57 PM in response to Hageltjes

Reporting same issue.

Apple Watch S3

iphone 11.

i noticed that short runs are usually fine. Only long runs tend to have issues.

RunFa

Level 1

12 points

Jul 2, 2021 6:52 AM in response to Pillow1337

Apple what are you waiting to fix this issue!!?

RunFa

Level 1

12 points

Jul 11, 2021 3:42 AM in response to kolvas

me too I’ve installed HealthFit but when I have the problem with the map on the Iwatch and IPhone, the problem is also in the app

s20055

Level 1

12 points

Jul 21, 2021 5:43 AM in response to Hageltjes

Maybe try this?

https://www.alphr.com/turn-off-gps-apple-watch/

s20055

Level 1

12 points

Jul 21, 2021 7:31 AM in response to Pillow1337

I still think it’s related to a battery saving issue at the watch. Something I’ll be testing over the course of the next few days.

s20055

Level 1

12 points

Sep 12, 2021 1:58 PM in response to Bossworld

My understanding is that the watch doesn’t even use the gps to measure distance.

vivan224

Level 1

8 points

Sep 20, 2021 2:27 PM in response to Hageltjes

Exact same issue for me too. Unpair/reset/re-pair dis not resolve the issue… Waiting for Apple to fix it. Hopefully…🤨

MKorja

Level 1

13 points

Feb 15, 2021 1:37 AM in response to Hageltjes

I'm also having issues with AW4 OS7.3 and 12ProMax iOS 14.4.

The issue I'm seeing is that the normal workout app is working fine and transferring the data to all other apps except the activity app. Have tried resetting the AW and all the other information I found on the internet. Nothing has worked with this. Have even tried to use instead of the apple workout app sportstracker and the same issues are there also. The trainings can be seen on the health app and other apps, even the activity app, but it doesn't update the circles at all.

Hopefully Apple would find a solution to this quickly as it's a pain in the ***..

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Activity GPS issues after watchOS 7 and iOS 14 updates