Apple Watch - (Walking) Accuracy vs iPhone

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Level 1

5 points

Apple Watch - (Walking) Accuracy vs iPhone

Hi

I know this has been asked (and answered) before but the response provided (iWatch Series 3 does not need separate calibration) does not solve the double counting issue I experience while walking with both my iWatch and iPhone.

So in effect, today i did very little walking: 0.63km according to iWatch (Activity/Data Sources & Access/Apple Watch) and 0.75km according to iPhone (Activity/Data Sources & Access/iPhone6S). The Heart app shows I walked 1.1km. The difference might be due to movement of the arm while standing at my desk.

But yesterday, I walked 14.9 km according to iWatch, but only 7.9km according to iPhone. The Heart app settles for 15km. There is no way I walked 15kms, 7.9 is much closer to the truth. How can this be explained??

Generally speaking the watch tends to over-estimate walking distance and activity, what can I do to improve its accuracy? I have an iPhone 6S and Watch Series 3. Thanks

Apple Watch Series 3, watchOS is 4.2.2, paired to iPhone 6S iOS 11.2.5

Posted on Jan 25, 2018 11:59 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,021 points

Jan 25, 2018 12:14 PM in response to nforsans

Hi

The Health app on iPhone collects and aggregates data from Apple Watch (not iWatch), iPhone and any other sources that you allow to share data to it, including third-party apps and accessories.

For any given metric, including Walking + Running Distance, it adjusts the reported results to avoid any double counting of the same type of metric for the same period from different sources.

If you are concerned that distance and other Activity-related estimations are inaccurate, then It may help to calibrate your Apple Watch, including resetting any existing calibration data.

Resetting your calibration data can be equally as helpful for Series 2 & 3 models and will not erase your Activity history.

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

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

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