Elevation not working on Apple Watch Ultra 2

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.

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.

Sad to say that today my replacement Apple Watch Ultra 2 started dropping elevation just like my old watch. After two runs with no problems, the third run was not good. Constantly dropping the elevation display. It has to be some design flaw. Love my Apple watch for everything except this, but I am done using this watch for running. Too frustrating. From now on I am going to use either my Coros or Garmin watch and start carrying my iPhone. When the next big update comes out with the revamped workout app I will try it again. No plans to buy another Apple Watch though.

Tried the watch again after updating to OS11 and no change. What drives me nuts is there is probably someone at Apple who knows exactly what the problem is whether it be hardware or software, but all of use are left in the dark. This watch is great, but far and away the most frustrating watch I have. My guess is that once the accuracy of the elevation gets out of spec the elevation stops displaying until it gets back in spec. Also strange is that the replacement watch worked OK for a short time then ended up just as bad as the original I bought. Go figure. Once again back to Garmin and Coros for running. Those watches NEVER fail to give accurate elevation displays.

I have the same issue, on almost every run the altitude is dropped. I was running iOS 11 betas and reported this to Apple as a bug. I do not think this is a hardware issue and BT on or off does not matter. Occurring on an Ultra 2 often. Will likely file a support request.

The elevation gain appears to be working but is not shown on the elevation screen as the altitude is missing. This is very annoying as I use elevation and gain for running and SkiMo. I am in Colorado and have a clear view of the sky, my GPS track is fine.

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?

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.

This is consistent with what I am seeing. I too will contact Apple Support and see what can be done. I will mention that others are seeing the same problem and that for those who want to use this watch for trail running, mountain scrambling and ultras as I do, it is currently not working and could even be unsafe.

No, the altimeter continuously monitors air pressure and I assume there may be GPS corrections. I use my watch where there is typically no cellular or internet. The altimeter works. Where do you get your information? Have you ever used the watch in the wilderness?

I reported having dropouts with my watch as well. I am running an 18.2 Appleseed beta and the dropouts have largely or completely disappeared. I am doing a 3h trail run today that has no cell and I’ll put the phone in Airplane mode. I’ll report back on any dropouts.

They use different sensors, different algorithms and different methods of calculating altitude. Let’s compare Apples to oranges.

I agree one may be more accurate than the other. Use the one that best suits your needs. I’ve been on other watches forums. I find the same discussions. Watch X isn’t as accurate as Watch Y. Go to another forum and it’s the opposite.

No one Watch is perfect or best choice for every user. Reading and watching reviews and forums will drive anyone insane. Pick you watch and try it. If you’re not happy, return it during the merchant’s return period and then try a different watch.

Kind of my point. All the other watches I have tested worked. The two Ultra 2 watches I tested, that were marketed as being more outdoor watches, do not work. The Ultra 2 certainly should not be dropping the elevation display all the time.

Your post from a little over a month ago with Apple Support seemed rather upbeat. What changed? Has Apple gotten back to you or have you followed up with support? What Watch OS version are you using? If you’re using the beta version that may contribute to the issue as well.