Accuracy issue with Apple Watch Series 12 step and distance tracking

Some users reported similar issues when they started to use the new Apple Watch 12 or Ultra 4.

Apple introduced a new algorithm to estimate steps and distance during a workout in watchOS 27.

The watch will deliver better results again over time after a calibration and multiple workouts.

Calibrate your Apple Watch for improved Workout and Activity accuracy - Apple Support

Update on my 9/25/26 post: I wear my watch all the time except when charging, and I do both outdoor and indoor workouts, walks, etc. I haven't done anything else with my Series 12 since the first post. I have noticed that the step/distance calibration is getting closer to my actual stride length. When I made the original post, I had been wearing the Series 12 running watch on watchOS 27 for 6 days. I didn't do the math, but I estimated the step/distance calibration was about 30% off. Over the last week, it's been a little below 10%. Whether it keeps improving with more history remains to be seen.

What I find really annoying is Apple's failure to acknowledge the issue and either tell us it just takes long-term usage to calibrate correctly or that there is a bug and a fix is on the way. Lots of us spend a significant amount of money on Apple products and services, and a greater degree of transparency by Apple doesn't seem like a lot to ask for.

It seems to entirely miss your steps or stride if they are full length. I’ve noticed when I am on an elliptical machine the 12 often misses steps/strides, up to missing 5000 strides during a workout. It is help if I say I am doing a treadmill workout, but it is still wrong. I did not have this issue with my previous Iwatch, it spot on. My wrist moves a shorter distance on the elliptical, but I am working hard and I want it counted correctly. Also it misses steps when I move slowly like after an old fella like me has been sitting a while. Why did they change it??? I took back my first 12 figuring it was just a bad watch. Now it seems that Apple made an error changing the programming.

If I walk a mile and log as an outdoor walk/workout I get a mile. If I walk same path but don’t log it I get about the same number of steps ( 3549 v 3518which I think is acceptable variation) it says I walked around 0.8 miles…. If I walk indoors mileage varies but always on low side…I don’t see why this should be so much worse either Apple 12…. Never had a device this poor before

I walk 16,000 steps and got credit for 3.5 miles. You have got to be kidding. I’ll try and switch watch bands and I got the single strap loop which doesn’t fit tightly against my wrist. Still the steps are likely accurate, but the distance was way off.

Still having problems with this. Indoor run pace showing double what it should be. Calories burned almost half what it should be. I’ve done all the recalibration stuff but realised that this is based on outdoor run when my stride length is longer than when I run indoors (lack of space etc). AI confirmed this might be the issue.

Been considering a Garmin band which may be more accurate with stride length or a Zwift RunPod that clips onto a shoe. Anyone tried a RunPod? Other solution might be to try the Nike app.

@Ingo2711, that hasn't been my experience so far. The calibration of steps and distance in watchOS27 has been abysmal since release. Bad function doesn't get better with age; it just stays bad. And so it has. After a week of usage, my experience has remained the same. The step and distance calibration is essentially the same as in earlier OS versions for outdoor workouts. It is completely broken for indoor workouts.

I tried chat….. end result - there is an open ticket on this and also if you don’t need/use your phone while exercising leaving it behind or maybe just turning it off might help…..haven’t tried it yet (mostly because I want the distraction of an audio book and don’t feel safe going on a walk without my phone)

Recalibration hasn’t helped me. This is about a twenty - thirty percent effect for me which is large - especially with a monthly health challenge to walk a certain distance which is now beyond my reach while I am trying to gently rehab from an injury…. I have never seen an effect this big simply from switching watches

Updated WatchOS 27.0.1 This has not resolved the issue of indoor step and distance tracking. My average pace was 13/mile. The app is showing it as 25.48/mile. Calorie count is showing less half of what it normally is.

Please sort this out!

I haven’t had a chance to try outdoors due to weather around here right now - but still seeing problem after update this am and various types of incantations like turning off calibration and watch and phone in various orders…. Debating turning widdershins three times and invoking a deity. Seriously though - this is a big enough error it shouldn’t be hard to fix

So it was cool enough to walk outside today - and I logged a one mile outdoor walk that recorded as a one mile outdoor walk and credited me with a one mile in the fitness app. To early to tell if I will now get correct readings for my indoor walk or for steps I don’t count as a workout….

Just got my watch 12 today, and used it for my two hour elliptical workout this evening. Last night on my Apple Watch 10 it showed a full two hours and five minutes of a workout, but tonight my Apple Watch 12 said I did 11 minutes of exercise. In the Fitness app, the elliptical workout said I did the full two hour workout, but it’s not showing on the watch as exercise minutes.

My watch is updated; I’ve reset the calibration. I did a 45 minute outdoor walk and still the watch is not correct. Total steps today 12,896, mileage is 3.94 miles. It should be around 5 miles. Sigh. Apple please fix this.

So here’s another problem that I have with my model 12 watch that I haven’t had with the previous watches. I just came back from a walk and my Apple watch asked me if I wanted to record an indoor walk. It’s done that several times. I don’t understand how it can’t sense that I’m outdoors?