The Apple Watch has been a valuable addition to many people’s lives. It helps you keep up with notifications, answer calls, play music, and much more. The watch is also an excellent fitness device! You can use the Workouts app on the Apple Watch to track your activity inside and outside the gym. But what if your Apple Watch is not tracking your activity?
If this is the problem you’re encountering, then you’re at the right place! In this article, we’ll explain why you may face this issue and the steps you can take to solve it. If that sound’s like something you’re interested in, read on!
Table of Contents
How does Apple Watch Track Activity
But first, how does the Apple Watch even track activity in the first place? If you’re passionate about fitness, you probably want to ensure that activity measurements are accurate. Well, you’re lucky, because Apple Watch utilises multiple features to provide you with accurate fitness data.
Gathers Personal Information
When setting up your Apple Watch, you are asked to provide a few personal details. This includes such as your age, height and weight. These details help the Apple Watch calculate how many calories you burn when you exercise. Keep this information updated, so you’re always provided with the most accurate measurements.
To update your personal information, complete the following steps:
- Open the Watch App.
- Go to My Watch.
- Go to Health.
- Go to Health Details.
- Tap Edit.
Uses Sensors
The Apple Watch uses sensors to track your heart rate and movement. If the sensors detect an increase in heart rate or movement, this data is recorded. When the sensors detect that the activity is performed with a high level of intensity, it is added to the exercise ring.
It is helpful to keep your heart rate elevated during exercises. This ensures that the movement is recorded as exercise or as a workout. If the apple watch is not detecting your workouts, ensure that the goals are clearly defined within the Workouts app.
It is possible that if your heart rate was not elevated, the movement was not added to the exercise ring. We’ll go into more detail about this in the next section.
How Accurate Is Apple Watch At Tracking Activity?
The Apple Watch provides measurements that are reasonably accurate. However, these measurements are not perfect. For professional athletes, there may be tools available that can provide more accurate measurements. This is because the Apple Watch sometimes does not track workouts correctly. For the average person, however, it is still an excellent fitness tracker!
Fixes For Apple Watch Not Tracking Activity
Is your Apple Watch not recording activity? Don’t worry; we’re here to help. Try any of the following methods.
Fix#1) Wear Apple Watch Correctly
If your Apple Watch is not detecting workouts, you should first check if you’re wearing it correctly. If the watch is too loose on your wrist, the Apple Watch might not detect that you’re wearing it.
This could be the reason why your activity rings are not tracking activity. Therefore, we suggest you wear the watch more tightly. This may seem like a simple step, but it can make a lot of difference! If it doesn’t, move onto the next method.
Fix#2) Check Personal Details
As we discussed, the Apple Watch uses your personal information to calculate how many calories you’re burning during a movement. If your details are not updated, the measurements you get may be inaccurate. This could also be the reason your Apple Watch is not tracking activity.
To check personal details, complete the following steps:
- On your iPhone, open the Watch app.
- Go to My Watch.
- Go to Health.
- Go to Health Details.
- In this tab, you can check personal information such as age, height and weight. Check these details and ensure that all of the information is accurate. If your Apple Watch is not detecting workouts, it’s possible that all the information is not included.
Fix#3) Check Location Services
If your Apple Watch is not tracking activity, it may be helpful to check location services. This is because location services contain a feature known as Motion Calibration & Distance. The Apple Watch uses this feature to keep track of your movement and various fitness activities. If your Apple Watch is not recording activity, this feature may have been switched off.
To check the Motion Calibration & Distance, complete the following steps:
- On your iPhone, go to Settings.
- Go to Privacy.
- Go to Location Services.
- In this tab, check that Location Services are turned on.
- Go to System Services.
- Here, check if Motion Calibration & Distance is turned on.
Fix#4) Calibrate Your Apple Watch
If your Apple Watch is not tracking activity, you may need to calibrate it so it can record accurate measurements. This method is easy, and it can make a big difference! To calibrate your apple watch, you’ll first need to ensure that the Motion Calibration & Distance feature is enabled. To this, refer to Fix#3.
If you want to reset calibration data, complete the following steps:
- On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app.
- In the My Watch tab, go to Privacy.
- Select Reset Fitness Calibration Data.
- Make sure you’re wearing your Apple Watch tightly.
- Perform a workout and see if the Apple Watch tracks the activity.
Fix#5) Update watchOS on your Apple Watch
Pending software updates can cause issues on the Apple Watch. This is a common issue because certain features stop working on old watchOS versions.
To update your watchOS, complete the following steps:
- On your iPhone, open the Watch app.
- Go to General.
- Go to Software Update.
- If a new update is available, you’ll be able to see it in this tab. If a new update is available, try to update and see if the Apple Watch records your activity.
Fix#6) Restart your Apple Watch or iPhone
Restarting your iPhone or Apple Watch can get rid of a lot of issues or glitches that you may be facing. Turn off the devices. Wait for a few minutes and then restart them. If the Apple Watch is still not tracking activity, you’ll have to try a different method.
Fix#7) Check Power Reserve Mode Feature
If your Apple Watch is not tracking activity, your iPhone’s Power Reserve Mode feature may be causing this issue. The Power Reserve Feature limits your watch’s access to sensors.
Certain measurements, such as background heart rate and blood oxygen measurements, are not displayed. You can still use the Workout app in Low Power mode. However, you may not get workout reminders.
To turn off Low Power mode, complete the following steps:
- On your iPhone, swipe up to go to the Control Center.
- The battery icon should show up. If the battery icon is yellow, Low Power mode is turned on.
- Tap the battery icon and percentage. Toggle off Low Power mode.
Fix#8) Check Wrist Detection
If your Apple Watch is not detecting workouts, you may need to turn on Wrist Detection. To do this, complete the following steps:
- On your Apple Watch, go to the Settings app.
- Select Passcode.
- Go to Wrist Detection.
- Ensure that this feature is turned on. If it was already on, turn off the feature. Wait a few minutes. Turn it on and check if the Apple Watch starts tracking your activity.
Final Thoughts
The Apple Watch is an excellent and nifty device. It provides a lot of information about your movements, personal fitness activities, and more. For these reasons, it is an excellent fitness tracker.
This guide has provided a list of solutions you can try if your Apple Watch is not tracking your activity. Read the article closely and check which method may be applicable in your case. Good luck!