No longer have apple watch, but Fitness won't record steps or move data

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Level 1

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No longer have apple watch, but Fitness won't record steps or move data

So I have a new iPhone, but no longer have an Apple Watch. I want to record my move data and steps using my iPhone but when I install the Fitness app, it is showing blank for steps (despite my health app showing steps) and it’s showing all 3 rings like a watch (all blank) rather than just the move ring it should show for those not using a watch. I’ve turned off and on motion data sharing and also tried some phone resets but I can’t get it to revert to just showing Move and syncing steps. It looks like it thinks I still have an Apple Watch despite none paired and I deleted the Apple Watch data from Health. Please help!

iPhone 17, iOS 26

Posted on Oct 20, 2025 11:00 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Ingo2711

Community+ 2026

Level 10

83,019 points

Oct 21, 2025 1:16 AM in response to Druyun

Did you also delete the WatchApp?

Since this is an iPhone 17, this might be software related and you should report this issue directly to Apple Techs, so that they can fix this in an upcoming update:

Feedback - iPhone - Apple

Setting the iPhone back to factory settings would be an option, if you have restored the new iPhone from a backup from your previous model, which included settings for the paired watch.

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings using a computer - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Oct 21, 2025 12:40 AM in response to Druyun

Did you try to delete the Fitness App, restart the iPhone and install Fitness again, using the AppStore?

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Answer 3

Druyun Author

Level 1

12 points

Oct 21, 2025 12:58 AM in response to Ingo2711

Hi, yes I tried this. I also tried deleting all fitness data from Apple Health to try and reset things but now it says there is no data syncing from Apple Health. My steps also aren’t syncing over to the fitness app :(

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Answer 4

Druyun Author

Level 1

12 points

Oct 21, 2025 6:59 PM in response to Ingo2711

Never had the watch app on this new phone. I tried installing after your message but no option to unpair so deleted.

also I did not restore from backup when I set up this new phone

In the Health app, there isn’t even any options for Steps under the apps/sharing under Fitness, it’s like something has not linked or is broken. Is there a way to hard reset the fitness and health link without factory resetting my phone and losing everything?

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No longer have apple watch, but Fitness won't record steps or move data

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