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Wrong Elevation Gain in the Fitness app on Watch 6

After receiving Apple Watch 6 last week I have noticed that Elevation Gain in the Fitness app is very wrong. On all 3 training runs it has been less than half of what it was with Apple watch 4 doing the same runs. And I'm quite sure that Apple watch 4 is more correct!

The altimeter is working fine. I have watched the altitude about every minute on my runs, and it seems to be correct. It's just the gain that it's not able to compute any more. It seems that it doesn't accumulate small changes. Part of the course, about 2km, went up and down all the time, just small hills, each maybe less than 1m altitude difference. At the end of the 2km the Elevation gain was the same as at the start. Not correct!

I have exported the data from the same runs with Watch4 and Watch6 and made a graph of the altitude data. They are very similar. So the altimeter seems to be correct, it just can't compute the gain!

I also have a Garmin Fenix 6, and it gives Elevation Gain very similar to Watch4! If I import the run from Watch6 into Strava, it also gives Elevation gain more than twice of what Watch6 does.

To me this seems to be a software problem on Watch6 (or OS7). Have any others experienced this?

Apple Watch Series 6, watchOS 7

Posted on Oct 7, 2020 2:01 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 12, 2020 1:39 PM

Hello there runarg,


We understand that the readings on your new Apple Watch do not currently match your older Apple Watch or a third-party device you're using.


We have a few steps to help.


Let's have you begin by restarting your Apple Watch and iPhone to see if the data updates more accurately:


How to restart your Apple Watch


Restart your iPhone


Next, if you do not show any improvement, we'd like you to calibrate your Apple Watch Series 6 with our guide here:


Calibrating your Apple Watch for improved Workout and Activity accuracy


If you have further questions, we invite you to reach out to us here for review of this issue: Get Support


Thanks for contacting the Apple Support Communities!

Have a great day!


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 12, 2020 1:39 PM in response to runarg

Hello there runarg,


We understand that the readings on your new Apple Watch do not currently match your older Apple Watch or a third-party device you're using.


We have a few steps to help.


Let's have you begin by restarting your Apple Watch and iPhone to see if the data updates more accurately:


How to restart your Apple Watch


Restart your iPhone


Next, if you do not show any improvement, we'd like you to calibrate your Apple Watch Series 6 with our guide here:


Calibrating your Apple Watch for improved Workout and Activity accuracy


If you have further questions, we invite you to reach out to us here for review of this issue: Get Support


Thanks for contacting the Apple Support Communities!

Have a great day!


Oct 12, 2020 2:00 PM in response to i_rina

Hi,

First of all, I have already tried all those things to be sure. As expected, they did not help. I explained that the altitude data is correct, so no reason why it should help?

The problem is obviously a software problem in Watch OS 7 or connected to the Apple Watch 6 when it comes to calculating total elevation gain. Since the altitude data is correct all the time, it must be related to the software calculating elevation gain.

Runar B. Gundersen

Wrong Elevation Gain in the Fitness app on Watch 6

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