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The compass app is working with the exception of elevation, not working on my Apple Watch Ultra 2
One more update today. I called Apple support and was on the phone with them for a bit over an hour. The did a lot of remote diagnostics on both my phone and my watch including testing the components of the watch and everything seems OK including the barometer. They are working on the problem and want me to take a screenshot of my watch face when the elevation disappears-maybe I will do a short run on Wednesday. So at least it seems like Apple support is trying pretty hard to understand what is going on. I gave them a lot of information about when the elevation works and when it drops out. They will call me on Thursday.
Agreed, a dirty sensor can cause this. My dropouts are not because of a dirty sensor or a case. I run ultramarathons and have worn the AWU for 50k and 100 mile races. I often run with multiple watches as I test for Suunto. Using apps other than Apple Workout I never have altitude dropouts so this is specific to the AWU firmware and Workout app.
Hello alaafrdomspdringfield gardens, This info is from an earlier post and may help.
This page here can help provide some steps to help with calibrating the Apple Watch and improving accuracy: Calibrating your Apple Watch for improved Workout and Activity accuracy - Apple Support
1. On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
2. Tap Privacy > Location Services.
3. Make sure that Location Services is turned on.
4. Scroll down, then tap System Services.
5. Make sure that Motion Calibration & Distance is turned on.
6. Continue with the steps below.
Calibrate your Apple Watch
1. While wearing your Apple Watch, go to a flat, open outdoor area that offers good GPS reception and clear skies.
2. If you have Apple Watch Series 2 or later, you just need your Apple Watch. If you have Apple Watch Series 1 or earlier, bring your iPhone for GPS. Hold your iPhone in your hand, or wear it on an armband or waistband.
3. Open the Workout app. To start, tap Outdoor Walk or Outdoor Run. To set a goal before starting, tap.
4. Walk or run at your normal pace for about 20 minutes.
If you don't have time to finish the workout, you can complete 20 minutes over multiple outdoor Workout sessions. If you work out at different speeds, you should also calibrate for 20 minutes at each of the speeds that you walk or run.
Whenever you walk or run outside using the above steps, your Apple Watch continues to calibrate the accelerometer by learning your stride length at different speeds. Calibration can also improve the accuracy of your calorie calculations in the Workout app, and the calorie, distance, Move, and Exercise calculations in the Activity app.
No, it’s not a canned response. It didn’t rely on AI or using Google. My post was from memory after reading numerous articles wrong the subject and multiple Apple Support articles over the years. I’ve owned multiple Apple Watches (series 1, 3, 5, and original Ultra) and the issue has been reported and discussed here numerous times.
The altimeter is what it is. If you feel it’s broken, send it to Apple for service or buy a new/different watch. Or learn how it works and accept its limitations or use a third party app the provides a different measurement.
Apple does not read comments here. Everyone posting is a fellow Apple user and/enthusiast. If you want Apple to know about your issue you need to get it serviced so a support ticket is opened or use the official Apple feedback channel.
On your Apple Watch - Try and Force ReStart your Apple Watch as indicated below:
Axel F.
I have cellular and I was within cell service during the run. This happens to me on every run with varying times of dropout. There is no rhyme or reason and occurs whether or not I have cell service.
How does the third party app measure changes in elevation? Different apps can tap into different sensors.
I agree that talking to Apple is best course of action.
Having the same issue with my Apple Watch Ultra II on trail runs. Using the Workout app the elevation will be displayed then be replaced by two dashes. I tried using the Workoutdoors app and it always showed the elevation but at times it was way off. Today I used both my Garmin S70 and the Apple Watch and the Garmin was the clear winner. Always fairly accurate elevation display while the Apple watch elevation did the usual appear/disappear behavior. Both watches are dual band GPS so I am wondering if the Apple watch is more cellular dependent. All this was without my iPhone with me. So for my trail runs I am using my Garmin S70 which is also a lot lighter. Love my Apple Watch but not for trail running. Pretty incredible that Apple can't get this right in a watch advertised as the watch for big adventures.
Just a follow-up on my Apple Watch Ultra 2 experience using the workout app for running. The elevation is still flaky and no amount of settings and recalibration made any difference. Using the workout app the elevation will sometimes display then go away and display -- ELEV. Neither my Garmin or Coros watches have any problem showing the elevation. I am trail running but close to urban areas and under clear skies so ideal situation for satellite reception plus good cell service. I can't help but conclude that the elevation capability of either the hardware or the firmware is sup par compared to Garmin and Coros. It was also flaky while on vacation so not specific to any location. Except for this the Apple watch is really great. Wondering if it is a design flaw. The Ultra 2 is certainly not a serious backcountry watch. For that I would take my Coros every time.
It finally occurred to me to do my trail run with my Ultra2 and my wife's Apple watch 9. Her watch never faltered. It showed the elevation the whole run with zero issues. That prompted me to make a tech support call and they are sending me another watch while they repair mine. Not sure if they plan to send the repaired watch back or just do an exchange. So I am waiting for another watch in the mail. Will report back how that one works. I have Applecare+ for the watch.
I have Ultra (cellular) and friend has an earlier Iwatch - we hiked together and the elevation profile is pretty much dead on between the two watches, but my elevation gain was around 700 feet lower, while his was much more accurate. The profile data is there and correct, but it just seems like there is an error in the calculation of elevation gain. I hike with iphone, but bluetooth off and I have restarted the Ultra a few times, but haven't unpaired and repaired the Ultra yet. Curious if you think related issue.
Elevation gained uses GPS. A reading is made at the start of a workout and at the end. The elevation or more correctly, Altitude uses barometric pressure to estimate the altitude. Do any of the Watch apps show the altitude? Do you have a case on your Watch? My guess would be the altimeter is malfunctioning. Do you have Apple Care on the product.
I was wondering if the issue is related to packaging of the barometer in the watch? I tried my wife's Apple watch 9 (with no cellular) and no elevation dropouts but I only tried it one time. I have to try it multiple times. Also wondering if the dropout issue is only on Apple watches with cellular?
GPS positioning requires connection to a minimum of four satellites for exact altitude measurement. Three satellites allow for accurate measurement of speed and distance only. Apple will supplement GPS measurements with cell tower triangulation when possible. Cell towers have exact altitude measurements for their location and Apple Watch may use that information to calculate estimated altitude. Obviously non-cellular will not have access to that data. Apple iPhone certainly does, if it has a cellular plan involved. Apple Watch uses the altimeter in the compass to measure altitude.
Again, it needs to be able to contact three cell towers at all times. Trees, variables in terrain and other obstacles could be interrupting the signal(s). Apple primarily relies on the altimeter and yours doesn’t seem to be working. That’s why I asked about AppleCare. Personally, I would talked to Apple support and inquire about returning the Watch.
I have never had elevation drop outs using outdoor walk, only dropouts using outdoor run. I tried using outdoor run for a 3 mile walk today and no dropouts. Go figure. On Monday I plan to do my usual run which has lot of dropouts but use outdoor walk instead of outdoor run just to see what happens. Once I used the Workoutdoors app for this run and elevation never dropped out but it was all over the place, showing 500 feet when it was really more like 800 feet. Also on Monday I am going to use my wife's Apple Watch 9 to see if it still does not have any dropouts.
Elevation not working on Apple Watch Ultra 2
