Pedometer is wrong

Question

Level 1

4 points

Pedometer is wrong

I went for a walk today. I was wearing my Apple Watch and my iPhone 6S+ was in my pushchair.

I was out most of the day and when I got home, I was surprised that the Health app said I'd only walked 3.5 miles! I went on MapOMeter and actually plotted where I walked and it said I had walked 5.49 miles!

Why didn't my Watch or iPhone pick up my distance correctly? Is it because I was pushing the pushchair and not carrying my phone? I used to have to transfer my Fitbit Alta to my pocket when pushing the pushchair because it wouldn't pick up the distance.

IF I carry my phone, instead of it being on the pushchair, will I get a better reading?

Apple Watch Sport 38mm, iOS 9.3.4

Posted on Aug 23, 2016 1:17 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 23, 2016 1:19 PM in response to Puddytatpurr

Yes, you should get a better reading having your iPhone with you.

Calibrating can help also.

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

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Answer 2

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,021 points

Aug 23, 2016 2:59 PM in response to Puddytatpurr

Hi

For the most accurate results when pushing a pushchair, record your walk as a Workout on your watch whilst also taking the iPhone along with Bluetooth and Location Services both enabled.

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Answer 3

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,021 points

Aug 23, 2016 3:06 PM in response to Puddytatpurr

Carolyn Samit wrote:

Calibrating can help also.

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

In these circumstances, calibrating your watch will not help.

Calibration teaches your watch how your arm movement (ie how you arm swings) relates to your stride lengths at each of the different speeds at which you typically walk or run.

When you are pushing a pushchair, your arm does not swing - which is why GPS data (via Location Services) from your iPhone will be of greater value in enabling your watch to more accurately estimate the distance that you have covered.

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