Apple Watch not syncing with Activity app

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Level 1

26 points

Apple Watch not syncing with Activity app

My Apple Watch Series 2 Nike+ watch will not sync my activity with my iPhone. This is my second Apple Watch and I also have the original. This watch used to sync and no longer does...the original watch stopped syncing as well. I've tried all of the 'fixes' in the forums...I rebooted both devices. I put both in airplane mode and then took them off. I've gone to 'Progress Updates ' in the Watch app and switched it to 'none'...I actually tried all of the settings. Everything else syncs from my watch to my phone including water intake, emails, texts, alerts, calls, navigation...just not activity. The purpose of me buying the Apple Watch(es) was for the fitness stuff and if I can't sync that, I might as well throw both of these in the drawer. Let me know if you have any insight.

Apple Watch Series 2 Nike 42mm (2nd Gen), iOS 10.2.1

Posted on Feb 16, 2017 2:28 AM

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Answer 1

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,015 points

Feb 16, 2017 3:04 AM in response to GoofyCraig

Hi

It may help to follow these steps:

On your iPhone, go to: Settings > Privacy > Motion & Fitness - check that both Fitness Tracking and Health are enabled.

On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch > Privacy > Motion & Fitness - check that both Fitness Tracking and Heart Rate are enabled.

On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch > General > turn off Workout Power Saving Mode (if enabled).

If you have not yet done so, update your iPhone and Apple Watch to the latest software, starting with your iPhone:

Close certain apps and restart both your iPhone and your watch (normally):

Close the Watch app, Health app, Activity app and any other fitness apps (if open) on your iPhone:
- Double-click the Home button, then swipe up on each app preview to close it.
Turn both devices off together, then restart your iPhone first:
- Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
- Restart your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Unpair and re-pair your watch:

The Watch app on your iPhone takes a backup of your watch automatically when unpairing via the app.
First choose to Restore from Backup during set up.
- Most data and settings will be restored, with some exceptions (eg Apple Pay cards, passcode).
If the issue persists, repeat the process, but this time try setting up as a new watch, rather than restoring from backup.
Unpair your Apple Watch and iPhone - Apple Support
Set up your Apple Watch - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,015 points

Feb 16, 2017 3:06 AM in response to GoofyCraig

If the issue persists, you may wish follow the steps below, which have previously resolved the same for other users.

Important: note that it involves the permanent loss of all sensitive data on your iPhone and Apple Watch, including all historic Health and Activity data, any HomeKit data and saved passwords.

Start by making an unencrypted backup of your iPhone:

This must only be done via iTunes on a computer (because iCloud backups are encrypted as standard).
Do not select the option to Encrypt iPhone backup.
How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Restore your iPhone as new (ie to factory settings) using iTunes:

Restore your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to factory settings - Apple Support

After the Restore completes, during setup, restore your iPhone from the unencrypted backup:

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support

Pair your watch, setting it up as a new watch (do not restore it from backup):

Set up your Apple Watch - Apple Support

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Answer 3

GoofyCraig Author

Level 1

26 points

Feb 16, 2017 5:02 AM in response to Jonathan UK

Hi Jonathan and thanks...before I had posted, I went through all of the steps in your first posting and none of it helped. Neither Apple Watch will sync activity data. As for your second post, most of that is more than I'm wiling to do. I've spent way to much time troubleshooting this issue. Restoring my iPhone is too much especially considering it's a lot of work and I could lose some data/settings/passwords, etc. I've done this many time through 7 iPhones and 10 iPads. And this should just work without me jumping through all of these hoops. It worked for 18 months with the first watch and then everything just stopped. I'm going through a third setting up of the watch this morning...this time as a new watch and not restoring from a backup. If this doesn't work, I'll take the Series 2 and drive a nail through it with the biggest hammer I can find...and I'll post the video on YouTube...and I'll go back to my ESQ.

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Answer 4

GoofyCraig Author

Level 1

26 points

Feb 16, 2017 4:55 AM in response to Ella Fitzgerald

Thanks Ella....I had restored my Apple Watch from a backup twice before I posted and, right now, I'm in the process of stetting it up as a new Watch. I've spent way too much time troubleshooting this issue that if this doesn't work, I'll get rid of both Apple Watches. Thanks again.

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Answer 5

Feb 16, 2017 2:31 AM in response to GoofyCraig

Take a look at this article, it should help you If your Apple Watch isn't connected or paired with your iPhone - Apple Support

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