Apple watch syncing steps with other apps

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Level 1

8 points

Apple watch syncing steps with other apps

My Apple watch is tracking fine in the health and activities app and syncing with my iPhone. I have an app I love to run to called Zombies, Run! There are settings where you can have it track your distance by GPS or by steps/step length. I love the idea of not having to carry my phone with me now for the app to track it when I'm running on the treadmill. I can't get step tracking to default to the Apple watch so the app knows my steps. It only works with the iPhone. Is there a way to default steps to the Apple watch, and if so, is it just the app that is incompatible with recognizing steps through the apple watch?

Apple Watch Series 2, iOS 10.2.1

Posted on Mar 14, 2017 9:00 AM

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Answer 1

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,015 points

Mar 14, 2017 9:11 AM in response to rsimm009

Hi

I suggest that you consult the third-party app developer's support resources and/or contact them for assistance with questions or issues concerning their Zombies, Run! app:

Zombies, Run! support resources:

https://sixtostart.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/categories/200201673-Zombies-Run-

Contact Six to Start:

https://sixtostart.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

More information:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/zombies-run/id503519713?mt=8

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Answer 2

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,015 points

Mar 15, 2017 6:28 AM in response to rsimm009

The issue is a matter for the app developer to resolve, if necessary including by contacting Apple for assistance.

I'm afraid that no-one here can speak for Apple in respect of the matter. This is a user-based technical support community.

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Answer 3

rsimm009 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 15, 2017 6:17 AM in response to Jonathan UK

Thank you for your help! I emailed their support and got this response:

I'm sorry you're having this issue. We have had a number of reports regarding problems with the connection between Zombies, Run! on iPhone and Apple Watch. This is an issue affecting many fitness apps on Apple Watch, not just Zombies, Run! We believe this is down to the way fitness apps require constant connection, unlike most other apps.

We're hopeful that the next Watch update will include a fix for this issue, but can't say for sure. Because this is caused by the Watch, not by our app, there is nothing we can do at the moment to fix it, though we are still trying to investigate the exact cause. I'm sorry for any disappointment caused, and would recommend using the iPhone app alone for the time being.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

All the best,

Ciaran

Is there a way Apple can fix this then?

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Answer 4

Aug 24, 2017 11:03 AM in response to rsimm009

As strange as this sounds... I think I found the solution / Work Around.

The Apple Watch Zombie, Run app kept trying to connect to my iPhone with no luck as per the post above. About to give up, I had the app running on my Apple Watch (trying to connect) and on my iPhone I connected my Bluetooth earphones and started to play some music.

Once the music started, I noticed that instantly Zombie, Run app on my Apple Watch connected and showed me the missions available to select!

So until Apple fixes this bug - this work around might work for you as well.

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Answer 5

Aug 27, 2017 3:18 PM in response to rsimm009

BTW, to clarify how Zombies, Run works (or doesn't) with the watch app. Even if you use their watch app, you still need to bring your phone. The watch app just lets you see some info and control the run. It doesn't act as a standalone version of the whole app, so it won't play the mission stories or really keep track of anything itself.

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