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Elevation not working on Apple Watch Ultra 2

The compass app is working with the exception of elevation, not working on my Apple Watch Ultra 2

Posted on Feb 3, 2024 2:06 PM

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Posted on Oct 14, 2024 4:31 PM

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.

54 replies

Nov 23, 2024 7:12 AM in response to Jeff Donald

The altimeter 'should be able to work on its own' without cell info in the meantime. That's how all garmins etc work (before the advent of cell reception on watches). The vertical error of the gps is also greater than horizontal errow so by right it should defer to data obtained from the altimeter? What is problematic in the 'old days' is the need to continuously calibrate it due to the inherent changes in air pressure. By right a watch like a cellular apple watch can solve this by pinging pressure info as the run progresses (though I'm not sure the algorithm actually uses something like this.)


Anyway the built in altimeter of the apple watch is actually very accurate. That's why one can go up and down the stairs indoors and see the numbers actually changing, to the meter. (The gps is not used in this sort of elevation gain.) My particular issue is that my elevation is correct for around 30 minutes. But after that, it just goes haywire and goes up and down a lot even on flat terrain. In the end the accumulative 'elevation gain' is totally wrong for a say 30km run; something like 1000m which should actually be around 100m.

Nov 23, 2024 7:53 AM in response to jeffyen38

My understanding is when a running workout is started the altimeter takes a reading and another reading at the end. Cell tower information is used the majority of the time with GPS to determine location on run and altitude. Conditions can change and satellite reception be lost. Cell towers can go in and out of range. This produces less than desirable results.


Your reference to climbing stairs, which does use altimeter and arm motion and time measurements is also problematic indoors because of controlled climate, which fails to register the necessary change in altitude to trigger a flight of stairs climbed. The forums have many more posts about climbing stairs than inaccurate running measurements.


Try running with the compass app and see if the altimeter is changing while you run. Several third party altimeter apps also provide the means to calibrate the altimeter for more accurate readings.

Nov 23, 2024 8:25 AM in response to Jeff Donald

I did not inquire whether Apple is monitoring these posts. You have routinely provided incorrect and misleading information regarding how altitude is determined stating cell towers are required, etc. I am a field tester for Suunto watches, similar to Garmin. I have a fairly deep understanding of how altitude and elevation changes are determined on Suunto watches. Apple Watches with built in altimeters use similar or the same hardware. The major issue for pressure-based altimeters is determining whether changes in pressure are due to changes in weather or altitude. Various calculations are used for this including how fast the pressure is changing. Correction of absolute altitude can use GPS, which requires a very good fix and accuracy as GPS for consumers may not be accurate (this is intended as military has much better accuracy). The L1 and L5 dual band on the Ultra should allow better GPS correction for absolute altitude and Apple may use cell towers for this as well. However, the elevation changes while exercising will likely rely solely on changes in air pressure. Many of us reported here dropouts that should not occur and are most likely due to a software issue. My dropouts seem to have been corrected by beta firmware.

Nov 23, 2024 9:01 AM in response to Bradley Olwin

Interesting, several white papers on GPS and SA (selective availability) state the system was turned off in 2000 or 2001 as I recall. The errors are now, in most cases, reduced to a few feet. Errors now are more related to weather, atmospheric conditions and multipath issues.


Cell towers however have exact altitude measurements and with three or more towers both location and altitude can be determined.


Yes, software and firmware can resolve issues. But the majority of users don’t seem to have issues with altimeter. I know multiple pilots that state their watches are very accurate when the third party apps are calibrated, but Apple altimeter less so, because of lack of proper calibration.


What I find interesting is the Apple Compass app will show continuous altitude readings that appear quite accurate when I compare them to a USGS topographic map and a benchmark. Yet, at the same time the hiking workout is much less accurate. Why? Perhaps lack of cellular signals? You tell me.

Nov 23, 2024 10:24 AM in response to Jeff Donald

I once used WorkOutDoors to measure my run and the altitude never dropped but in places it was off by 300-400 feet which I have not seen with any of my other watches. Other places it was accurate. I will emphasize that I have used two Garmin watches, one Coros watch, one non-cellular Apple Watch 9, and two cellular Apple Watch Ultra 2 watches. I always used Ultra 2 and another watch at the same time. The only watches that dropped elevation were the two Ultra 2s. No other watch has ever had any problems including the Apple Watch 9.

Nov 23, 2024 12:28 PM in response to dflowerz

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.

Dec 16, 2024 11:37 AM in response to dflowerz

Tried 11.2 today and still have the problem. In fact I had the longest dropout to date and not even on the trails. Elevation display dropped out on a sidewalk in the neighborhood and never came back for the rest of the run so almost two miles. Nothing from Apple support either. I am going to contact them again today. I can only conclude that the Ultra 2 is a defective product as two of them have had this issue and NONE of my other watches have.

Elevation not working on Apple Watch Ultra 2

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