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Does the Apple Watch double-count steps already recorded on the iPhone?

When I look at my health app, it shows both steps recorded on my iPhone in my pocket and steps from my watch. Are these steps double-counted? How does Apple make sure they are accurate and not double-counted?

Apple Watch

Posted on Jan 28, 2016 3:44 PM

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Posted on Dec 21, 2016 2:05 PM

Definitely double counting - how can we edit out iPhone steps and keep 1 source only?

11 replies

Jan 28, 2016 3:49 PM in response to camfromnovato

When multiple sources are available, the Health app uses 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. 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. Should you wish to edit the priority order (although there should not normally be any need to do so), tap on Edit (top right).

Sep 20, 2017 9:44 AM in response to camfromnovato

Guys, I do not believe Apple Watch and iPhone are double counting steps. This has been a source of concern for me as well. I haven't calculated the entire data for a specific day, but for instance, take a look at 3 simple calculation examples from my personal data. I chose 3 days at random:


Sept. 13, 2017

Apple Watch steps: 18,895

Apple iPhone steps: 1,761

Combined total: 20,656

Reported Health total: 19,045


Aug. 7, 2017

Apple Watch steps: 10,100

Apple iPhone steps: 9,453

Combined total: 19,553

Reported Health total: 10,366


Jul. 11, 2017

Apple Watch steps: 7,611

Apple iPhone steps: 2,282

Combined total: 9,893

Reported Health total: 7,924


You can try to do this on your phone. I think Apple has worked out a system to not double-count steps maybe when both devices are within bluetooth connectivity range of each other. So if you set your Apple Watch as the top priority source and it is within bluetooth range of your iPhone, then I believe although steps will be tracked on your iPhone as well, it will not be considered in the day's aggregate data.


Stephen

Mar 27, 2017 3:35 PM in response to camfromnovato

It is not double counting.

If you look closely in Data Sources & Access, down below it says: "The sources above are allowed to update your steps data. When multiple sources are available, one data source will be chosen based on the priority order listed above".


What I did is I set my watch to be top priority so it will consider my watch first when data is available through both the watch and the iPhone.


Thanks,


Xi

Jun 30, 2017 2:47 PM in response to Jonathan UK

I know that is the canned answer. It is absolutely false. I have the priority set for Watch as the OP suggests but it is absolutely double counting. Apple may think it prioritized but it doesn't. Come walk with me and my iPhone and Watch and you can see how false this is. Really it is now bordering on fraudulent. The inability is Apple to see this with the number of people who report this is ludicrous.


I would like a real response from Apple on this issue.


<Edited by Host>

Jun 30, 2017 12:56 AM in response to Drappler

Drappler wrote:


I would like a real response from Apple on this issue.


If you would prefer to discuss the matter with Apple, then you will need to contact Apple Support.


Contact options include:



(You are not talking to Apple here - this is a user-based technical support community).

Does the Apple Watch double-count steps already recorded on the iPhone?

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