GPS issue running Nike Run Club with Apple watch series 2

I was all excited after getting my new Apple Watch and tried going for a run with Nike sans phone. The setting on my Nike+ app is set to tell me every 1/4 mile my pace and time. As I was running I didn't hear it announce the pace and time so I glanced at my watch and it said my distance was only .04 miles and a second later it updated and said I had run .45 miles and recorded my 1/4 mile split at that time so it miscalculated my pace as well. It was annoying also because the face didn't always show me the information when I brought it up. I would have to shake my arm a few times to get it to display. I would hope they could make it stay on during my whole run as well as calculate the GPS constantly. I haven't tried an outdoor run with the native exercise app but I intend on trying that today and see if it is any better. I realize keeping the GPS running and the display on will drain the battery but as soon as I am done running I shower anyhow and charge my watch.

The new release of the Nike+ Run Club app 5.1.0 is out as of 10/26. From the release notes:

Nike+ Run Club takes advantage of the latest Apple Watch features, across all generations of hardware. Apple Watch Series 2 and Apple Watch Nike+ watches will fully track your route using GPS -- whether you run with your phone or not.

I can confirm that I am now able to run without the phone with my apple watch series 2 and am seeing map data. /cheer!

I've been interacting with Nike about various issues. They're very polite about it, but my issues have persisted for a couple of months now. I'm hoping they'll fix them, but if you need an urgent fix (without making an additional investment), try Apple's Workout app. It's actually very, very good.

I can confirm this as well, the new Nike run club update now enables GPS route tracking while running only with the watch and it is much faster than before. I've done a couple of runs with watch only and discovered a new issue, however, the watch doesn't track elevation as it does when carrying my phone. This either means there's no barometer in the Series 2 or this feature still hasn't been enabled.

Online there are a lot of conflicting information on whether there is or isn't a barometer to sense elevation. iFixit suggests the second "mic hole" is for a barometric vent, but a barometer isn't listed in the specs. Although elevation data isn't as important as GPS data, this is still very disappointing. Perhaps they can use the data from GPS to estimate elevation.

I bought the Series 2 specifically because I don't want to carry my phone.

I'm pretty sure I read elsewhere that it doesn't have a barometric altimeter and I don't see elevation reported in Nike+. However, I use RunGap to sync my runs to Strava and in Strava I see elevation information (presumably from the GPS data).

Hi, I had the same problem. I deleted the app on my phone, then reinstalled the app on my and added it to the watch - problem was solved and I got GPS data in the app without the phone immediately when starting training.

Apple watch series 2 Nike Plus has similar issues.

I can use build-in workout app and get the route without problem, so at least I am sure the GPS should be fine.

Based on my test, you have to start the running AFTER the connection to iPhone was off. In other words, watch is not intelligent enough to switch GPS source between iPhone and watch.

As for nike run club app on watch. No matter how I tried, no GPS recorded. ( reinstalled, reset privacy setting... etc. )

I contacted Nike support, they are friendly but not so knowledgeable. They did confirm that I should be able to run without iPhone and get route info. They asked me to provide screenshot for them to investigate the issues.

I would suggest you to use build-in workout app to do some tests. If it works fine with build-in workout app, I encourage you call Nike Support and report your issues.

Hello all, here a summary from my part. I know I'll repeat things you already said, but lets try:

I received the watch this week,and when i started running I had same errors with GPS. displaying an error like " invalid_tracking_description"

this was solved reinstalling app, and being sure to cut bluetooth in iphone before starting the run, or being far away from it until the red icon shows (no iphone connected). then it works good.

still, i don't have elevation data, NOR NIKEFUEL! I'm the only one that doesn't get nike fuel???

i didn't read this form anyone in this thread.

with the "apple training app" i get elevation thought.... but i think i got the phone with me. still need to test to go out without the phone and see if i get elevation data.

small summary:

be sure to have all health options for read and write enabled for NRC.

-in NRC, be sure to have the heart rate enabled.(iphone).

-in NRC watch app, be sure to enable ADVANCED by scrolling down before starting the run. this will show the Heart rate in upper left corner while running. (i didn't know that).

-in apple watch app, go to mywatch / privacy /activity / heart rate ON and motion fitness ON.

restarting apple watch helps.

-be sure to disconnect from iphone before starting the run. better to be outside for better GPS signal. (however it works perfect indoors with the activity training app (apple).)

for me it works very well now.

but as I said, when it synchronize the run with the iphone app, NO ELEVATION and NO NIKEFUEL.

so sad.... starting to think about switching for apple native app, but I really miss the elevation CHART 😟.

let's also say, I also miss the nikefuel thing, as it's motivating for me.... let's no talk about all my records already in nike app.

small update, after synchronizing the run with the iphone app, I don't see the nikefuel, but i can see it in the website.

I only can see it back in my iphone app after closing the session and opening it again.

for the elevation, it's simple, there is no barometer in the apple watch , so this will only work when pairing with the iphone. sad new.

Similar problem here.

The NRC app on the watch seems to record the track via the on-board GPS, at least there's a pretty accurate distance summary and even a small outline of the track on the watch's display.

But the track data doesn't show up on the iPhone app or web version of Nike+ after syncing. Also the month's summary on the watch remains at 0 runs.

When I start the activity on the iPhone, all data incl. GPS route is recorded and synced correctly. Since I use a rugged Android phone for outdoor sports instead of my iPhone, the current setup (Apple Watch 2 and NRC) is totally useless to me.

did you set up the NRC apple watch app correctly? once you install it, you need to open it in both watch and iphone.

maybe didn't do that the first time?

try reinstalling, and restarting both devices.

KR

Re-installed, re-started, accepted all relevant authorizations ... no change.

When I use only the Watch to start/stop an activity in NRC without the iPhone connected, the Watch tracks distance, heart rate and course just fine. Even shows me an outline of the track afterwards.

All data EXCEPT the course get synced to the phone.

Update: Fixed!

I reply under my own post, because everyone's problem seems slightly different. I am not sure exactly how I fixed my problem so I will list every steps I did:

1. Delete Nike+ Run Club (NRC) App on my iPhone.
2. Confirm App was gone on watch. Restart both iPhone and watch.
3. Download the NRC App again.
4. Open the NRC, then login.
5. Stay on NRC, tap here and there, and wait for the pop up windows. Tap Allow on all windows.
6. Wait for a bit longer, make sure you see a full screen, white background page. You will see Health related setting, there is a "Allow All" (forgot exact term) at the top. Tap that.

I suspect the restart and the last step may be the keys, especially number 6. During my other test which end up didn't help, I was 100% sure all privacy and health are turned on, but nike seemed not be able to access watch's GPS.

I noticed that even if NRC did record your route, watch may still not show your route after a running. I guess it is just because of lagging ( Drawing route, loading it, lagging... SKIP, showing some motivation sentences). Even with much improved hardware on Series 2, you can feel the UI lag on all system/app pretty often (coming from "Series 0", so I am not complaining^^). You will need to wait for it to sync with your iPhone and check if the route shows on iPhone.

Thank you! I bought the Nike+ Series 2 watch for my wife's B-Day gift, and it's been a huge frustration since the Nike+ App would not log her mileage...

Apple phone calls and a Genius Bar appointment that went on for an hour and a half without resolving the issue. Exchanged the watch and still no logging of mileage.

Followed the instructions above and deleted the App on the phone & watch, reinstalled the app, authorized all access on the health app, and magically the Nike+ App started to work.

Thank you! I'm glad I took a chance and followed your steps. Fixed what Apple Support and the Genius Bar associates couldn't resolve.

Apple - Fix this issue - you just cost me 2 hours on the phone, an hour of driving to the Retail Store, another 1 1/2 with the Genius', and finally finding a solution after scouring the internet grasping at straws. Not a good user experience...