Why is my Apple Watch not recording distance?

Your Apple Watch might not be recording distance due to a range of common issues, from incorrect privacy settings to a need for calibration or a simple software glitch. Ensuring your watch has the right permissions and is properly calibrated is key to accurate distance tracking.

Why Is My Apple Watch Not Recording Distance?

Accurate distance tracking on your Apple Watch is essential for fitness monitoring and daily activity goals. When your watch isn't recording distance, it can be frustrating, but several common factors often contribute to this issue. These can range from critical privacy settings being disabled to issues with watch calibration or software.

Key Reasons Your Apple Watch May Not Be Tracking Distance

Understanding the root cause is the first step toward a solution. Here are the primary reasons your Apple Watch might not be recording your movements:

• Incorrect Privacy and Location Settings: The watch relies on location services and motion data.
• Calibration Issues: An uncalibrated or improperly calibrated watch can't accurately estimate distance.
• Workout App Usage: Not starting a workout correctly, or using an inappropriate workout type.
• Software Glitches: Temporary bugs in watchOS or iOS.
• GPS Signal Problems: Especially outdoors, a weak GPS signal can impact accuracy.
• Poor Fit: A loose watch can lead to inaccurate sensor readings.
• Low Power Mode: Certain features, including background app refresh and some sensor data, may be limited.

Essential Settings to Check for Distance Tracking

Many distance tracking problems can be resolved by verifying your Apple Watch and iPhone settings.

1. Verify Your Privacy and Location Settings

Your Apple Watch needs permission to access location data and motion sensors to accurately measure distance. This is one of the most critical areas to check.

To ensure your watch can gather the necessary data:

1. On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Privacy & Security, then select Location Services.
3. Confirm that Location Services is toggled On.
4. Scroll down within Location Services and tap System Services.
5. Ensure that Motion Calibration & Distance is also toggled On. This setting is crucial as it allows your watch to use its motion sensors to accurately calculate distance, especially when GPS is unavailable or less precise.
6. While in Location Services, also check the settings for the Workout app (and any third-party fitness apps you use) and ensure they are set to While Using the App or Always for optimal performance.

2. Ensure Wrist Detection is Active

For accurate heart rate, activity, and workout tracking, your Apple Watch needs to detect that it's on your wrist.

• On your iPhone, open the Watch app.
• Go to My Watch > Passcode.
• Make sure Wrist Detection is turned On.

Calibration and Accuracy

Your Apple Watch becomes more accurate over time by learning your stride and arm swing through calibration.

Calibrate Your Apple Watch for Improved Accuracy

Calibrating your Apple Watch helps it learn your unique stride length and improve the accuracy of distance, pace, and calorie estimates, especially when GPS is limited (e.g., indoors).

To calibrate:

1. Make sure your personal information (height, weight, gender, age) is correct in the Health app.
2. Go outdoors to a flat, open area with good GPS reception.
3. Open the Workout app on your Apple Watch and choose an Outdoor Walk or Outdoor Run.
4. Walk or run at your normal pace for at least 20 minutes. You don't have to complete the 20 minutes all at once; you can do it over several outdoor workouts.
5. Maintain a natural arm swing throughout the workout.

For more detailed steps, refer to Apple's official guide on calibrating your Apple Watch.

Resetting Calibration Data

If you feel your watch's distance tracking has become consistently inaccurate, you can reset its calibration data.

• On your iPhone, open the Watch app.
• Go to My Watch > Privacy > Reset Fitness Calibration Data.
• After resetting, perform another outdoor walk or run for at least 20 minutes to recalibrate.

Software and Device Considerations

Sometimes, the issue can be a minor software bug or simply an outdated system.

Keep watchOS and iOS Updated

Ensure both your Apple Watch (watchOS) and your paired iPhone (iOS) are running the latest software versions. Updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements that can resolve tracking issues.

• To update watchOS: On your iPhone, open the Watch app, tap My Watch > General > Software Update.
• To update iOS: On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

Restart Both Devices

A simple restart can often clear up temporary software glitches.

1. Restart your Apple Watch: Press and hold the side button until you see the Power Off slider, then drag the slider. To turn it back on, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.
2. Restart your iPhone: Follow the standard procedure for your iPhone model.

Troubleshooting Steps: A Quick Guide

Step	Action	Details
1	Check Privacy & Location Settings	On iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services (On) and System Services > Motion Calibration & Distance (On).
2	Verify Workout App Permissions	On iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Workout (While Using the App/Always).
3	Ensure Wrist Detection	On iPhone: Watch app > My Watch > Passcode > Wrist Detection (On).
4	Calibrate Your Watch	Perform a 20-minute outdoor walk/run with good GPS reception and natural arm swing.
5	Update Software	Ensure both iPhone (iOS) and Apple Watch (watchOS) are up to date.
6	Restart Devices	Restart both your Apple Watch and paired iPhone.
7	Reset Calibration Data	On iPhone: Watch app > My Watch > Privacy > Reset Fitness Calibration Data (then recalibrate).
8	Check Watch Fit	Ensure your Apple Watch fits snugly on your wrist, but not too tightly.
9	Disable Low Power Mode	If enabled on your Apple Watch, it can affect background sensor readings.

By systematically checking these settings and following the troubleshooting steps, you can typically resolve most issues preventing your Apple Watch from accurately recording distance during your activities.