Apple Fitness+ Works on iPhone and iPad Without an Apple Watch

[MacRumors]

Apple designed the new Fitness+ service to work with a paired Apple Watch as the Apple Watch is meant to allow you to track your metrics while you follow along on a workout, but as it turns out, an Apple Watch isn't strictly necessary to use the Fitness+ app on an iPhone or iPad.

When starting a Fitness+ workout on iPhone or iPad when you're not wearing an Apple Watch, the app asks if you want to begin a workout without the watch. You can do the entire workout sans watch, but of course no metrics show up on the iPhone or iPad's display.

This is not, however, possible on Apple TV. When using Fitness+ with the Apple TV, Apple requires a synced and connected Apple Watch. Attempting to do a workout on Apple TV without the watch will only let you preview a workout, rather than begin one.

It's not clear why Apple is allowing workouts to be done on an iPhone or iPad without an Apple Watch while that same functionality does not work with the Apple TV, but the service was meant for an Apple Watch and isn't ideal for non-Apple Watch owners.

Article Link: Apple Fitness+ Works on iPhone and iPad Without an Apple Watch

 

[Dimwhit]

I wonder if this is more of a bug that Apple will close, or if they'll let it continue. And if they let it continue, can you AirPlay the workout to AppleTV?

Edit: Never mind. Next story down says AirPlay won't work.

 

[macfacts]

It's cause if using apple tv app only, apple doesn't get a cut.

 

[xyz01]

That's good.

You can pair heart rate monitors with iPhone / iPad[1], and they should be integrated into Fitness+. For many exercises, a HRM strap works much better than a wrist based HRM like Apple Watch - or you might want to take your watch off to avoid potential damage.

Rant: Why not do a worldwide launch, like Apple Music and Apple TV+?

[1] Or in the case of Bluetooth Smart - they just show up, no pairing necessary.

 

[nutmac]

While I understand how Apple Watch could enhance Apple Fitness+ experience, I am not sure why it has to be required. I would like to see Fitness+ open up to wider audience without this arbitrary limitations. Fitness+ should be exposed whether or not you have Apple Watch.

 

[movieator]

What I would like, watch or not, is the ability to watch a workout on my MacBook Pro.

 

[Appleman3546]

It was meant for Apple Watch users, which is why Fitness+ will be too small of a market and flop like News+

 

[xyz01]

It's cause if using apple tv app only, apple doesn't get a cut.

Sure they do, you pay for the service - Apple gets all of it.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Good info to know. I didn’t know you could connect your watch to the AppleTV. I have never tried connecting my watch. I went to BT on AppleTV and the watch doesn’t show, even though it is on the same WiFi network.

 

[namenotfound]

If only there were a Fitness app currently available for the iPad. ☹️

 

[critter13]

While I understand how Apple Watch could enhance Apple Fitness+ experience, I am not sure why it has to be required. I would like to see Fitness+ open up to wider audience without this arbitrary limitations. Fitness+ should be exposed whether or not you have Apple Watch.

yeah I wasnt happy when I pulled up the app on the appleTV and it required a watch. I have the One bundle but don't own a watch. hopefully they change this

 

[sorgo †]

“works on iPad”

 

[Karllake]

yeah I wasnt happy when I pulled up the app on the appleTV and it required a watch. I have the One bundle but don't own a watch. hopefully they change this

I suspect they won’t change it, apple is clearly trying to sell hardware via fitness+ rather than it be a standalone financial model, the fact that airplay is disabled (forcing the purchase of an Apple TV) and the service doesn’t run unless you own an Apple Watch (but will run without one present) make this very clear to me

 

[cwosigns]

Works on iPad? That’s rich. You can’t even DOWNLOAD it on an iPad right now.

 

[bheathain]

Yeah I can't download on my iPhone SE2 or iPad Air (2019). It says I'm missing features on my devices. Do you think it's because I don't have an apple watch on my account? I'm paying for the Premiere subscription. You would think I could see the workout videos without apple watch integration.

 

[Karllake]

Yeah I can't download on my iPhone SE2 or iPad Air (2019). It says I'm missing features on my devices. Do you think it's because I don't have an apple watch on my account? I'm paying for the Premiere subscription. You would think I could see the workout videos without apple watch integration.

you can’t download the app or iOS 14.3? If it’s the app then update iOS

 

[critter13]

the app did not come with 14.3. must only be able to install if you have a watch. LAME

 

[cmaier]

Who writes this stuff. There isn’t even an app for iPad yet.

 

[Astralis56]

Cool! They said at first we need an Apple Watch. Anyway, having a Watch is still the best way to take full potential in the app. Looking forward to it if I buy one at the Boxing Day.

 

[rye9]

Someone please help me because I feel like I'm not understanding the use of Fitness+ anyways. I don't know anyone personally with an Apple TV device, but obviously tons with an iPad or iPhone. The images make it appear that Fitness+ is kind of like a fitness class at home. On a TV via Apple TV devices, sure.... but is Apple expecting people to workout on a 6 inch screen (aka the iPhone)? I must be missing something...

 

[dangoland]

Not only do you need to have a watch... it needs to be series 3 or higher... *weeps in series 2*

 

[Kitchenator3000]

It was meant for Apple Watch users, which is why Fitness+ will be too small of a market and flop like News+

Apple Watch, the #1 selling fitness wearable?

 

[kp98077]

when I go to the App Store, I don't see an apple called " apple fitness" what am I missing? lol.. so. you can watch this on your phone or computer and project to a Samsung TV for example?

 

[James Godfrey]

If only there were a Fitness app currently available for the iPad. ☹️

when I go to the App Store, I don't see an apple called " apple fitness" what am I missing? lol.. so. you can watch this on your phone or computer and project to a Samsung TV for example?

Just search for ‘fitness by Apple’ and the iPad app will show, must have issue with search tags on the iPad at the min

 

[kp98077]

Just search for ‘fitness by Apple’ and the iPad app will show, must have issue with search tags on the iPad at the min

just on iPad? when I search "fitness by apple" I don't get anything on my iPhone or MacBook....