rissamarie406
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Will my Apple Watch Sport count steps and distance while in my pocket?

I regularly take my kids on walks round the neighborhood pushing a double stroller. With my Fitbit, I had to put the tracker in my pocket because otherwise, it would way undercount my steps. I tried wearing my Apple Watch while pushing my kids in the stroller today and the steps and distance seemed off compared to the usual stats I tend to get with my Fitbit. Can I just put my Apple Watch in my pocket? I know it won't read my heart rate and that's fine. I'm just worried about how the watch locks itself when it's not being worn and whether or not that will affect my steps. Thanks!

Apple Watch, watchOS 2

Posted on Oct 9, 2015 3:12 PM

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rissamarie406

Q: Will my Apple Watch Sport count steps and distance while in my pocket?

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  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Oct 9, 2015 4:58 PM in response to rissamarie406
    Level 8 (39,534 points)
    Apple Watch
    Oct 9, 2015 4:58 PM in response to rissamarie406

    Hi

     

    For walks when you need to push your stroller, you can keep your watch on your wrist and still earn credit towards your Exercise goal by using the Workout app.

     

    Whilst the Activity app relies on arm motion and the accelerometer to track movement, the Workout app can also use the heart rate sensor and GPS data from your iPhone if you carry it with you. To record your walks, open the Workout app, select Outdoor Walk and take your iPhone along.

     

    More information:

    Use the Activity app on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

    Use the Workout app on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

  • by rissamarie406,

    rissamarie406 rissamarie406 Oct 10, 2015 12:34 PM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 10, 2015 12:34 PM in response to Jonathan UK

    Thanks for the reply, Jonathan. When I wore the watch on my wrist while pushing the stroller yesterday, it logged my calories burned, but didn't seem to log all of my steps (unless Fitbit over counts steps by a good 2,000-3,000). I did use the Outdoor Walk option under the Workout app. I can live with just a calorie count, but I had become used to having all my steps logged too until I switched to the Apple Watch. It's weird not using that step count as part of my daily activity goal. I suppose the best way to tell how accurate the watch is while pushing the stroller would be to go for the same walk without pushing a stroller and compare the two results. I'll also try having my watch in my pocket while pushing the stroller on the same walk to see how it compares.