How do I get my Apple Watch to count steps?

Have you ever wondered “How do I get my Apple watch to count steps? This can be an essential tool to help track your fitness level and it is possible via the fitness app on the Apple Watch.

Some individuals, however, do not know how to use this feature. Some find it rather complicated, while others have not heard about it. This article is for you if you fall into any of these categories.

How do I get the Apple Watch to count steps?

Steps can be tracked or counted directly on your Apple Watch using the Fitness app on the Apple watch. It can also be tracked on your iPhone using the iPhone Fitness app or Health app. You may add a pedometer to your Watch face if you want to see how many steps you’ve taken each day without having to open the Fitness app on your Apple Watch.

How to use Apple Watch to track steps

The Activity app may not explicitly state that it counts steps, but you can always see the total number of steps it has counted. To see this:

• Open the Apple Watch’s Fitness app. Three concentric circles, one each in red, green, and blue, make up its icon.
• View your daily step total by swiping up on the Watch face or scrolling down with the Digital Crown.
• Additionally, you can see your daily percentage progress for your moves, exercises, and standing, as well as your overall distance traveled and the number of stairs you climbed. You can also see your progress in each of the rings throughout the day.

To view your progress for the current week, including the total amount of steps you’ve taken thus far, scroll to the bottom of the list and select Weekly Summary.

How to use the iPhone to track Apple Watch steps

• Connect your Apple watch to your iPhone using the Watch app.
• Launch the iPhone’s Fitness app.
• Select the Summary tab.
• To view your averages for Move, Stand, Distance, and other metrics, swipe down to the Trends section.

On your Apple Watch, step counting is typically automated. This function can be used without beginning a workout or activating any other feature. There are a few strategies to ensure your calculations are as accurate as possible.

• Calibrate the device to increase accuracy and aid the Apple Watch in recognizing your steps.
• Provide accurate personal data, including your height, weight, age, and gender.
• Wear your Watch snugly and on top of your wrist as a habit.

Actions to make your step counting accurate

Enter your health information

The first step in step counting is setting up the Apple Health app with some personal data. Your age, height, weight, and gender are used to estimate things like steps taken and calories burned.

Open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to the My Watch menu, press Health, and then tap Edit. After providing your information, tap done.

The Activity and Workout apps and any third-party apps that require them will receive this information from the Health app.

Enable your location service

To calculate your steps more accurately, the Apple Watch employs GPS monitoring. If you go for a walk without your iPhone, it counts steps only using the accelerometer, and when you get back into range of your iPhone, it syncs with the Health app.

You’ll get better, more precise results if you enable location services for your Apple Watch, regardless of the model. Make sure Location Services are turned on on your iPhone by going to Settings > Privacy > Location Services. Additionally, you can enable location services for other Watch-related items while you’re there.

Enable Fitness Tracking

Location services do not fully win the war. An accelerometer, which monitors your body’s movement, is used by your Apple Watch and iPhone to track your activities. When GPS information is absent, whether you have a Series 1 without your iPhone or are walking in an area with spotty reception, you should let the accelerometer take over. The settings for your Watch and iPhone will most likely be different.

To turn on Motion Calibration & Distance on your iPhone, navigate to Settings > Privacy > Location Services, scroll all the way to the bottom of the list of apps, and touch System Services. Then navigate to Settings > Privacy > Motion & Fitness and confirm that Fitness Tracking, Health, and any other fitness-tracking third-party apps are all turned on.

Add a Step counter to the Watch face

Open the Health app on your iPhone, select the Sources tab, select Pedometer (for some reason, the ++ disappears on the iPhone), and select Turn All Categories On. You need to permit it to use your Apple devices for it to be able to track your steps.

Press and hold your Watch face to bring up the gallery of faces, then choose a watch face that you can edit in order to add the step counter. Use the digital crown to navigate the menus until you find Pedometer++, then tap the Customize button to change the face visible on your Watch.

Frequently Asked Questions about counting steps with the Apple Watch

Does the Apple watch footstep counter need cellular data to work?

No, the Apple Watch counter does not require data to function. The app is preinstalled on your Watch and is designed to work without data.

Is it possible to manually add steps to the Apple watch step counter?

Yes, it is possible to add steps accumulated manually. In the Health app on your associated iPhone, you can manually increase the number of steps that have been accumulated.

Tap Browse, then type “activity” into the app’s search bar. Tap Steps on the Activity screen, and then click Add Data in the top right corner.

Conclusion

Staying fit is an integral part of any individual’s life. Thankfully with devices like the Apple watch, one can easily track and know how many steps are taken daily to increase your level of fitness from time to time.

If you have any questions, kindly ask them in the comments below.

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