More Accurate Step Counting

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Level 1

10 points

More Accurate Step Counting

It seems like the "Closing of the Rings" for apple is all about burning calories and moving but there is not much customization. I am coming from being a Fitbit user and it appears no matter what app i use the step count is grossly off the mark for accuracy. I don't particularly care about calories because I am not 100% that a digital device such as an Apple Watch or Fitbit could even provide accurate data. I care about active minutes (exercise and my steps/distance) I would like to be able to create goals based upon those items. Any change that this will be happening in the near future, or is there a recommendation of Apps that might do what I am looking for?

Thanks

Phillips

Apple Watch Series 3, watchOS 4.1

Posted on Dec 14, 2017 8:14 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,015 points

Dec 14, 2017 8:31 AM in response to pbkolsun

Hi

Accuracy

For more accurate results, it may help to calibrate your Apple Watch.

Calibration can improve the accuracy of various estimations made by Activity app and Workout app, including for steps taken. The process teaches your Apple Watch how your arm movements, as measured by the built-in accelerometer, 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 data - follow the instructions here:

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

Note that resetting existing data and calibrating your watch by following the detailed instructions can be equally as helpful for Series 3 models and will not erase your Activity history.

For the best results, be sure to allow the arm on which you are wearing your Apple Watch to swing naturally during calibration and as you move around during daily wear and to move as expected during workouts.

Activity-related estimations also 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.

More information:

Track workouts and stay healthy with Apple Watch - Apple Support

Use the Activity app on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

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

Features

I'm afraid that no-one here can tell you anything about Apple's unannounced plans. You are not talking to Apple here - this is a user-based technical support community.

If you would like to submit feature requests to Apple in respect of the Activity app, then you can do so here:

Feedback - Apple Watch - Apple

Your daily steps total can be viewed:

Via the Activity app on your watch:
Open the app and scroll to the bottom of the screen.
Via the Activity app on your iPhone:
Select to view a day's results, then scroll to the bottom to see Steps and Distance.
Via the Health app on your iPhone:
- Go to Health Data > Activity > Steps.
- Adding Steps to Favourites adds it to top section of the Today screen (accessed via the Today tab) and the Favourites section within the Activity category.
- Use the Health app on your iPhone or iPod touch - Apple Support

If you would prefer to keep track of your steps on the watch face, then you can add a complication using a third-party app:

Change the watch face on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Apps that you may wish to consider for setting and monitoring progress towards a daily steps goal include, for example:

Pedometer++