Steps counted from Health app vs. Activity app on watch

Hey I had the same problem I just fixed it. You have to go into health app click on the steps then change the source order to put watch as first instead of phone.

Hope it helps you!

Hi

The Health app on your iPhone will show your total / overall steps, whereas the Activity app will show only those steps that were counted via your watch. Data is not double counted. When multiple sources are available during the course of any particular activity, the Health app uses only a single data source to update your steps data. That source is selected based on the priority order that you have set (or that has been created automatically - eg by default, Apple devices rank above third party sources).

To check your data source priorities, on your iPhone, go to: Health app > tap on the Steps chart in the Dashboard (or select via Health Data > Fitness) > Share Data. You can edit the order via Edit (top right).

Hi Yoon

You may prefer to leave the priority order unchanged (ie Apple's default order).

Data points are associated with the time at which data is recorded, not when it is synced (there may be delays in syncing if, for example, your iPhone and Apple Watch have been temporarily disconnected). As the time is the same on both devices, there should be no discrepancies in data points and no double counting.

When you are wearing Apple Watch, it relies on your arm motion (as measured by the accelerometer) to track movement. There may be times when, even though you are wearing your watch, the watch's accelerometer may not register your steps (for example: you may be pushing a stroller or a shopping cart / trolley). If you also have your iPhone with you at that time, your steps may still be registered and recorded. To record a complete summary of your activity, it may therefore be prudent to keep both devices as data sources.

If you do still wish to remove your iPhone as a source for the Health app:

- On your iPhone, go to: Settings > Privacy > Motion & Fitness > deselect the Health app.

More information: Use the Activity app on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Hello! Can you please also help me? My problem is exactly the oposite! My apple watch shows 2000 steps more than the health app each day (on average). Also, the watch seems to count steps even if i’m sitting down and just using my hand for drinking tea (also said i walked 5 meters doing that). This is very frustrating and i’m not sure if i should give the watch back for guarantee. I used it for a week, 24/7 on my wrist, calibrating every fitness activity i could.

Thank you for your time!

You're welcome! Glad to have helped. 🙂