Apple Watch randomly ends exercise during outdoor run

Mine does it all the time (when out walking), it’s really annoying. I think any sweat or moisture that forms on your clothing can swipe the screen and tap the stop button. I expect the health app then calculates heart recovery rate incorrectly, if it thinks we’ve stopped exercising, but heart rate is still up around 130bpm because we’re still running or walking.

I wish there was some way to prevent inadvertently stopping or pausing via the screen, unless the crown or side button is pressed to unlock it.

Hey there dinman,

While multiple people may be reporting the same thing, there are different possibilities for what may have caused this particular issue. We understand wanting this to work as expected, and we'd like to help by learning more about what's happening, along with ruling out some possible causes:

1. When did this start to occur with your running workouts as you mentioned having used your watch for a week, or are three running workouts the only ones you've tried since getting your watch?
2. Sometimes unexpected behavior can be resolved with a restart: Restart your iPhone and Restart your Apple Watch
3. If you have a compatible iPhone model, the latest version is iOS 16.4.1. You can verify this within Settings > General > About. In case you needed it, this link shows how to first back up, then Update your iPhone or iPad.
4. If you have a compatible watch model, the latest version is watchOS 9.4. You can verify this within Settings > General > About. In case you needed it, this link shows how to Update your Apple Watch.

Cheers!

This happens to me while hiking or during an outdoor walk. I know I'm not pausing the activity or ending it by pressing those icons on the dial. I do wear long sleeve shirts when out in the sun and it seems if the shirt rubs across the watch dial, it can move from the activity data to the add/paus/exit screen.

Can a random tap by my shirt end the session? I would not think it possible but if I roll my sleeve up high enough on my arm to prevent it coming in contact with the watch face, I don't see that problem. Resetting the watch does not bring back the session that was ended prematurely. This is not to be confused with the watch asking if the session should be paused.

Thanks.

I have same issues in my recent runs. After 6km it stops. Last time it restarted walking for 2 mins and then stopped that too. It might be because of the long sleeve getting wet. I wonder if it would help to push the ”water drop” button after starting the run. It helps when swimming by disabeling the touch screen.

try resetting the watch that normally works