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Level 1

19 points

Step counter very inaccurate

Anyone else found this?

Hubby bought me an Apple Watch series 3 last week.

I’ve been a Fitbit wearer for last couple of years. Am finding step and flights of stairs counter very inaccurate on the Apple Watch.

For example, during my typical work days, i clock up around 18,000-20,000 steps. Apple Watch showing at least 3,000 less.

I’ve even worn both Fitbit and Apple Watch on same arm at same time for a walk around the block, counting the steps in my head too - fitbit spot on, Apple Watch missing lots of steps.

For the cost of the Apple Watch, I’m so disappointed - I’m missing my Fitbit!

Have worn the Apple Watch all day today and it’s registered that I’ve climbed 15 flights of stairs.

Health app on phone has registered 16 floors, despite phone sitting on my desk most of the day!

Something’s not working right! I feel that the Apple Watch has been a total waste of money!!

Posted on Oct 24, 2017 12:19 PM

Best reply

Jonathan UK

Level 10

163,769 points

Posted on Oct 24, 2017 5:10 PM

The following steps may help:

Calibrate your Apple Watch, including resetting any existing calibration data:

Calibration teaches your Apple Watch how your arm movements relate to your stride lengths at different speeds when you are walking and/or running. It does this, during outdoor walk and/or outdoor run workouts that are recorded via the Workout app, by comparing data from the accelerometer with GPS (Location Services) data.
To calibrate your Apple Watch - and to reset existing calibration data - follow the instructions here:
- Calibrating your Apple Watch for improved Workout and Activity accuracy - Apple Support
Resetting your calibration data can be equally as helpful for Series 2 & 3 models and will not erase your Activity history.

Check your Location Services settings:

On your iPhone, go to: Settings > Privacy > Location Services:
- Check that Location Services (the main setting at the top) is turned on.
- In the list of apps beneath, check that Apple Watch Workout is set to While Using.
- Also enable options under System Services including Motion Calibration & Distance, Wi-Fi Networking and Mobile Network Search.

Activity-related estimations depend, in part, on your personal information. To check that this 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.

Allow the arm on which you are wearing your Apple Watch to swing naturally as you move around during daily wear and to move as expected during workouts:

During general daily wear and when using the Workout app to record workouts when GPS data is either not relevant or not available, the Activity app and Workout app track your arm motion (measured by the accelerometer) when estimating results including steps.

Check that you are wearing your Apple Watch sufficiently snugly (but not too tightly) on the top of your wrist:

Wearing your Apple Watch - Apple Support

If it is not already listed as the primary source for each metric, then it may help to move your Apple Watch above your iPhone in the data sources list for Steps and Flights Climbed:

On your iPhone, in the Health app, go to: Health Data > Activity > Steps / Flights Climbed > Data Sources & Access > Edit.

More information:

Get the most accurate measurements using your Apple Watch - Apple Support

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Step counter very inaccurate