problems recording activity with no signal

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Level 1

8 points

problems recording activity with no signal

I have been walking in the Scottish Highlands. I was wearing my apple watch an carrying my iPhone 5S. There was no signal (not in any form: no GPRS, 3 G etc - the message at the top of the phone was "no service". My walk lasted at least an hour. Later, I noticed that the watch told me that i had only been active for 6 minutes - despite gong quite fast uphill. Is this likely because of the no signal problem? I understandd that the watch can work (in a limited way) if i don't take an iPhone for a run etc but can it work to track activity if there is "no service"? I was not using the green apple running person app nor any other 3rd party (like Nike+). The is the first time I have been out of range of any signal at all and the first time the activity hasn't seemed to record accurately. Are the two things related? Thanks for any help, ,much appreciated.

Apple Watch, iOS 9.2.1, iPhone 5s

Posted on Jan 27, 2016 10:50 AM

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Answer 1

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,021 points

Jan 27, 2016 12:43 PM in response to brocketta

The lack of a mobile network signal was not related.

Your watch can still track your activity without being connected via Bluetooth to the paired iPhone and also without there being any cellular or Wi-Fi coverage (the watch itself does not have cellular capabilities).

More information:

Use Apple Watch without its paired iPhone - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,021 points

Jan 27, 2016 12:42 PM in response to brocketta

Hi

Every full minute of movement equalling or exceeding the intensity of a brisk walk counts toward your daily Exercise goal. The definition of a brisk walk varies from person to person and depends upon your personal information.

To check that your personal information is accurate - and to update it over time:

- On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch tab > Health > Edit - tap and adjust items, then tap on Done.

If you take your iPhone with you and record your walk as a workout via the Workout app, GPS data can be used (if you have enabled Location Services) to estimate your distance and pace. Otherwise, it is important for your arm to swing naturally as you walk, because the watch relies on arm motion (tracked via the accelerometer) to track movement.

Calibrating your watch will enable it to more accurately estimate various activity-related results by teaching it how your arm movements relate to stride lengths at different speeds. When calibrating, ideally walk on flat terrain. Otherwise, you may appear to have moved less far (from the GPS data) than you actually did (if climbing and descending hills).

More information:

Use the Activity app on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Use the Workout app on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

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

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Answer 3

brocketta Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 27, 2016 12:47 PM in response to Jonathan UK

Thank you very much for responding so quickly and so fully. i really appreciate the help. It just seems a bit weird that the watch seemed to be suggesting i was sedentary when I was actually walking uphill. However, since there was no signal, then I understand the GPS wouldn't be working. It was a steep hill so whilst I was putting a lot of effort in, I wasn't technically covering much distance. I had thought that maybe my increased heart rate might have helped the watch figure out i was exerting myself. Perhaps somehow it wasn't sitting on my wrist as well as it usually does. And it was cold - i had my hands tucked not my pockets so in fact my arms wouldn't be moving much at all. I'll try recalibrating for hillwalking and see what that does. but thanks again for taking theme to answer.

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Answer 4

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,021 points

Jan 27, 2016 12:57 PM in response to brocketta

You are most welcome!

Your iPhone does not need a mobile signal in order to use Location Services / GPS.

- On your iPhone, go to: Settings > Privacy > Location Services.

- Check that Location Services is turned on.

- Scroll down and tap on System Services > check that Motion Calibration & Distance is turned on.

Your heart rate is not used to assess your activity level unless you are recording your activity as a workout via the Workout app. When using only the Activity app (which runs continuously in the background), your arm motion is used instead. For the best results, ensure that you allow your arm to swing naturally as you walk.

For more information, see the previously linked article about calibrating your watch.

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