Apple Watch overestimating exercise and activity

Question

Apple Watch overestimating exercise and activity

I’ve had my Apple Watch SE ( 2nd gen I think )for a couple of years and it’s been fine until recently. It has started showing that I’ve done more exercise than I have. My exercise goal is 30 min and the activity is 500. I would normally only close them on active days, so when I’ve been to the gym or done a lot of walking. But this last couple of weeks I’ve closed all three rings every day, even on days where I’ve not been active and my step count is low. I’ve followed all the recommended steps Apple suggest except unpairing and it’s still doing it.

Any ideas as to anything I can do next please?

Apple Watch SE, watchOS 11

Posted on Sep 13, 2025 2:07 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

WheelieNick

Level 8

46,019 points

Sep 13, 2025 3:02 PM in response to HappyHedgehog

Try and calibrate your watch to see if the issues persist i

Calibrate your Apple Watch

While wearing your Apple Watch, go to a flat, open outdoor area that offers good GPS reception and clear skies.
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.
Open the Workout app, then tap Outdoor Walk or Outdoor Run. To set a goal before starting, tap the More button
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.

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Answer 2

LD150

Level 10

103,362 points

Sep 13, 2025 4:42 PM in response to HappyHedgehog

also make sure your weight or height have not been corrupted in the settings iPhone, Watch app, My Watch tab, Health, Health details

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Answer 3

LD150

Level 10

103,362 points

Sep 14, 2025 5:35 AM in response to HappyHedgehog

No need to tell it anything, just make sure you walk plenty using a workout.

At this stage it should have already been calibrated so there is no further action you can take unless you go through…

Apple Watch basic diagnostics - Apple Community

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Answer 4

Sep 14, 2025 1:53 AM in response to LD150

Yes I’ve done all that, it hasn’t worked. I wondered if you need to “tell” it that you’re calibrating it? As in I just put it on walk and walked for 20 mins as per the instructions, but that’s just like doing a “normal” walk, how does the watch know to recalibrate? That’s all I can think of, that I’m missing something with the instructions?

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Apple Watch overestimating exercise and activity

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