How to track steps on an Apple Watch?

Is there a way to track the steps with Fitness app in a case when you own an Apple Watch but don't wear it all the time?

I have the same problem.

iPhone health app will track steps + add steps from watch (when it’s worn without the phone being present). So far so good.

Now the watch fitness app (with the 3 circles) only shows steps taken with watch. Why can’t both apps sync like it’s the case with all smart watch manufacturers, it’s a mystery.

Open the Health app and set it up with your information if you haven't already. This step isn't crucial, it is just a basic overview of your name, gender, etc.

On the bottom of the screen are three tabs, you want to tap on the Summary tab, or the heart icon.

You should see a small blue "edit" on the top right. Tap edit, and then tap on "All" right beside "Existing Data".

Scroll until you find "Steps", and tap the star to the right of it. This should fill in the star blue.

Now, in the fitness app, tap on your profile in the top right. Tap "Health Details" and set it up if you have not already.

Done! Now walk with your iPhone and it will track in the Fitness app. Reference this guide.

neena37 wrote:

Is there a way to track the steps with Fitness app in a case when you own an Apple Watch but don't wear it all the time?

Steps will be recorded in the Health app even if you don't wear the Watch.

Jeurome wrote:

When I purchased my Apple watch, it never crossed my mind that tracking steps both from iPhone and Watch in the Fitness app would turn into such nonsense.

To this day I still cannot believe that Apple hasn't fixed this issue yet, after NINE generations...

I'm still keeping my Apple watch in a dark drawer somewhere, hoping that they do something about this, one day.

Apple has made it pretty clear that they are not especially interested in steps as a fitness metric. So, an Apple Watch may not be the best tool for you.

You can let Apple know your thoughts here:

Product Feedback - Apple

How do you completely unpair the watch and make the Fitness app go back to the way it was before getting an Apple Watch? Like just the one pink ring.

peekki wrote:

Is there a way to track the steps with Fitness app in a case when you own an Apple Watch but don't wear it all the time?

No, I don't believe so. Once you have a Watch connected to the Fitness app, it works a bit differently. You would have to completely un-pair the Watch in between uses.

As you've noted, you can still track the steps in Health. You can also consider using an app such as StepApp that sync to Health and has nice graphics and will let you set a goal.

When I purchased my Apple watch, it never crossed my mind that tracking steps both from iPhone and Watch in the Fitness app would turn into such nonsense.

To this day I still cannot believe that Apple hasn't fixed this issue yet, after NINE generations...

I'm still keeping my Apple watch in a dark drawer somewhere, hoping that they do something about this, one day.

Jeurome wrote:

When I purchased my Apple watch, it never crossed my mind that tracking steps both from iPhone and Watch in the Fitness app would turn into such nonsense.

Almost any medical or training expert will tell you that steps are a meaningless measure of fitness. “Steps" was a craze created by a Japanese pedometer manufacturer, and it was a fad for a while, but it provides no useful information regarding your physical health. If the steps you take don’t raise your heart rate you might as well be standing still. If they do, then your heart rate, converted to calories, factoring in your weight, is the meaningful fitness measurement. The number of steps doesn’t matter; the amount of energy you expend in taking those steps is what counts.

matzexcom wrote:

Any update on how to solve this issue?

Do you mean other than the solutions already posted in this thread?

berylberyl131 wrote:

How do you completely unpair the watch and make the Fitness app go back to the way it was before getting an Apple Watch? Like just the one pink ring.

I believe you would need to restore the iPhone as new, not from any backup.

You said in another thread "There are many, many different fitness philosophies."

I just don't understand in what universe steps aren't considered as a relevant fitness metric...

I should have just stopped trying to understand their product strategies when they cancelled the iPhone Mini line.

Thanks for your input though !

Jeurome wrote:

You said in another thread "There are many, many different fitness philosophies."

I just don't understand in what universe steps aren't considered as a relevant fitness metric...

Well, for one, in the Apple universe. Steps are just one of many ways to measure activity. There's nothing magical about steps. For some people, they are a convenient measure, for others, not so much. The research about how many steps people "should" get is mixed. On the other hand, there's a fair bit of good data on how many minutes of activity people should get in a week. And that's the metric Apple has chosen to go with.

I should have just stopped trying to understand their product strategies when they cancelled the iPhone Mini line.

Apple will never be able to please everyone all the time. Obviously, though, their product strategy is successful.