Was the built in Nike Plus app removed from the iPhone 6?

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It's for better tracking on treadmill days. I also use the Nike+ running app for outside gps runs. It's not the end of the world but it's strange that the app was still available on Thursday on my iPhone 5 with iOS 8 but isn't available on the iPhone 6 which means it's an iPhone 6 and 6+ specific thing I'm optimistic that it's all part of the health bug but it would be nice for Nike or Apple to acknowledge it so those of us who use the sensor know what's going on.

I just got off a chat with Apple support and was told the Nike + iPod app was removed because the iPhone 6 has the native hardware to track speed, distance, etc. The sensor is now obsolete I was told. I explained that I (and many others) used the app together with the Nike running site to track my workouts. It also has all my history. She was sympathetic, and suggested I send feedback to the developers and request that they bring it back. (yeah that'll happen)

It seems Apple is trying to wrangle all health tracking and send it through their new health app. The more control they have here, the more leverage they'll have to sell Apple watches next year. It wouldn't surprise me to see fewer and fewer 3rd party health partnerships with Apple.

This is a plausible assumption davedahl, as I was thinking along the same lines after noticing that the Apple Health app does a nice job of actively tracking steps and foot mileage, if you will, within the app. Therefore, I could easily see Apple deciding to forgo the Nike+iPod app and integrating Health into the NikeFuel system--an available data field in Health. But, to Jimbo's point, it would've been nice if Apple handled this with more transparency so that regular Nike+iPod users like us aren't dumbfounded at the app's sudden disappearance. In any event, I would just like to continue having my runs auto-sync with Nike's Fuel points server.

chicagokevo wrote:

In any event, I would just like to continue having my runs auto-sync with Nike's Fuel points server.

Just use the -> Nike+ Running app.

The Nike+Running app uses a combination of the phone's GPS tracking and accelerometer to calculate running distance; unlike the Nike+iPod app, which communicates with the official $20 Nike+ shoe sensor. The latter is much more accurate for treadmill (non-mapped) running, whereas the former is the app that I use when running outside. There is a difference between the two, although both feed data into my NikeFuel account.

me2, same issue

The Nike+ app has always been a download. There used to be the basic Nike app built in to some devices. Don't know when or if that stopped being the.case.

Jimbo135 wrote:

Yes but the only app that will use the small Nike sensor that goes in your shoe was the built in nike+ app. That's what we all need otherwise it was a wasted 20 dollars on that sensor. The pedometer is built into the health app but I don't like holding my phone while running.

You don't have to hold the phone for the pedometer to work. It can be in your pocket, belt pouch or arm pouch and it will still work. The Nike+ Running app is still available in the App Store.

He's referring to the Nike + iPod app which has always been an integrated app within the iPhone. It was never available as an app for download. It was ideal for treadmill use where you simply start it and place in on the tray while you run. I used it 3 times a week. I just received my iPhone 6 plus yesterday and discovered the missing app. I researched the current available Nike fit apps for download and none are compatible with the shoe sensor. Most are just compatible to fuel band. It's unfortunate that Apple chose to remove certain apps to force future iPhone buyers to use proprietary features which they feel will be lucrative in the future without taking in consideration what consumers may want to select as a preference. Right to choose is not part of their business model.

Unfortunately the iPhone 6 no longer supports the Nike Sensor. I run on the treadmill and prefer to use the Nike Sensor with the Phone placed on the treadmill rather than using an armband. For those of you with the same preference, here's my recommendation. If you're keeping your old iphone / ipod:

• Continue using it to track your runs using the sensor
• Make sure you have a Nike + account and log in to that account on your Nike + iPod app
• Sync those runs to the Nike+ website (I'm not sure about iPods especially those without a touch screen. I assume it will sync when you sync your iPod to iTunes on your computer)
• On your iPhone 6, install the Nike Running app
• In the Nike Running App, select the option to sync all runs from the website

Now all your running data is synchronized with Nike, regardless of what device you're using. Please note that runs using the Nike Running app will not sync to the Nike + iPod app. Consider the runs on Nike + iPod as only a data input source. The Nike website is your master repository and the Nike Running app reads and writes to the Nike website.

I hope that helps 🙂

Meg St._Clair wrote:

The Nike+ app has always been a download. There used to be the basic Nike app built in to some devices. Don't know when or if that stopped being the.case.

Actually, it (Nike+ iPod) is part of iOS 7 (and it is on my iPhone 5S, still using 7).

You have to enable it in Settings to see the app.

Is is also still available on the 5 in iOS 8, but evidently not for the iPhone 6 and Plus.

WWell I sent an email to Nike and they said they discontinued that app but looked at my account and suggested I let them forward it as a concern so that maybe the sensor technology will be brought back. Here's the response.

"Currently, there are no plans to make Nike+ iPod available on the iPhone 6 or 6+. Regarding the Running Sensor, it of course can still be used with iPhones older than the 6 and 6+, as well as iPod Touches and iPod Nanos that feature the Nike+ iPod App.

The Running App, which is available for the iPhone 6 and 6+, is designed to use a GPS signal when running outdoors, negating the need for a Running Sensor. When you run indoors with the Running App and disable the GPS feature, the app will rely solely on your iPhone's built-in accelerometer. No sensors required.

I see you’ve logged nearly 600 runs with Nike+ over the last 4 years, and that many of those have been recorded with Nike+ iPod. With that being said, I would be more than happy to take any feedback regarding the app and it not being available on the iPhone 6 and 6+, and ensure that the feedback reaches the appropriate department here at Nike. We take our consumers’ feedback very seriously, so please feel free to share it with us, because that feedback is what has lead to so many changes and innovations here at Nike over the years."

This seems to be the most official and plausible explanation given. Thanks for sharing; just confirms the general consensus here. Apple still blows for not giving any type of heads up prior to the 6's release.