Fran808

Q: Why has my apple watch stopped tracking exercise?

My watch has suddenly stopped tracking exercise.  I'm not terrifically active but I think I exercised more than 1 minutes worth today.  The calories and steps are registering ok (I think).  Anyone know why or how to fix it?

Apple Watch, watchOS 2.1

Posted on Jan 31, 2016 10:36 PM

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Q: Why has my apple watch stopped tracking exercise?

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  • by Jonathan UK,Apple recommended

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Feb 1, 2016 3:35 AM in response to Fran808
    Level 8 (36,007 points)
    Apple Watch
    Feb 1, 2016 3:35 AM in response to Fran808

    Hi Fran

     

    To credit progress towards your daily Exercise goal, the Activity app aims to identify activity that equals or exceeds the intensity of "a brisk walk". 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.

     

    During general daily wear, the Activity app relies on your arm motion (measured by the accelerometer) to track movement for the purpose of crediting progress towards the Exercise goal. For the best results, allow the arm on which you are wearing your watch to swing naturally as you move around.

     

    Calibrating your watch also helps to improve the accuracy of various estimations (including Exercise credit) made by the Activity app and Workout app. More information and instructions for calibrating your watch are available via the link below.

     

    More information:

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

    Use the Activity app on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

  • by Jonathan UK,Apple recommended

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Feb 5, 2016 12:49 AM in response to Fran808
    Level 8 (36,007 points)
    Apple Watch
    Feb 5, 2016 12:49 AM in response to Fran808

    If your pattern of activity has not changed significantly, it may otherwise help to restart both your iPhone and your watch. Turn both devices off together first, then restart your iPhone before restarting your watch:

     

    - To turn your watch off: press and hold the side button until you see the Power Off slider; drag it to turn off;

    - To turn it on: press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

     

    If the issue then persists, next try unpairing and re-pairing your watch:

     

    - The Watch app on your iPhone takes watch backups automatically, including a fresh one when unpairing via the app.

    - Choose to restore your watch (Restore from Backup) when offered the option during set up. Most data and settings will be restored, with some exceptions (eg Apple Pay cards, passcode).

    - Unpair your Apple Watch and iPhone - Apple Support

    - Set up your Apple Watch - Apple Support

  • by Fran808,

    Fran808 Fran808 Feb 5, 2016 12:59 AM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 5, 2016 12:59 AM in response to Jonathan UK

    Thanks JohnathanUK,

    both your responses helped. It did seem to "pick up" better after I restarted both watch and phone.  

     

    I don't always swing my arms when moving about in daily activity nor am I very active so it's not surprising my exercise parameter does not record much.  (one day last week just seemed extraordinarily low even for me--1 min--especially since I'd taken the dogs for a walk). 

     

    Thanks,

    Fran808

  • by Jonathan UK,Apple recommended

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Feb 5, 2016 3:21 AM in response to Fran808
    Level 8 (36,007 points)
    Apple Watch
    Feb 5, 2016 3:21 AM in response to Fran808

    You're welcome!

     

    If it is not convenient to swing your arm (perhaps due to holding dog leads), it may help to take your iPhone with you and track your walks using the Workout app on your watch, choosing Outdoor Walk as the activity type. When Location Services are enabled on your iPhone (Settings > Privacy > Location Services), your watch can use GPS data from the iPhone to estimate your pace and distance covered. However, Exercise credit will still only be awarded by the Activity app when your activity is at least equivalent to a brisk walk.

     

    If you would prefer to record your walks as Exercise regardless of their intensity level, track them via the Workout app using "Other" as the activity type. This will credit one minute of Exercise for each full minute of the workout.

     

    More information:

    Use the Workout app on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

  • by Fran808,

    Fran808 Fran808 Feb 5, 2016 3:22 AM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 5, 2016 3:22 AM in response to Jonathan UK

    I'll give that a try.