Apple Watch 8: auto step tracking?

[kkclstuff]

Hi
Is it possible for the Watch8 (OS11.2) to automatically "track your steps" (without pressing the Fitness app record button)?

When I do walk without activating the Fitness app (ie forgetting) I don't see my activity/efforts in the Health app/Steps. (I may be looking in the wrong place—Id like to be able to 'see the daily progress' watch face without alot of app diving.)

thanks for some insight

 

[hzayas42]

My watch will remind me when it senses I'm walking to start an "outdoor walk" see below



If your Apple Watch is running the latest watchOS (Update your Apple Watch - Apple Support), you'll want to confirm that the Watch setting are set to remind you to begin your workout.

1. Launch the Watch app on your companion iPhone
2. Tap Workout
3. Enable Start Workout Reminder

 

[kkclstuff]

Hi yes, I do get the 'reminder' but I want to just 'always record' my steps in the day (Ie Would like it to activate automatically)


Actually I see my steps and distance in the Health app. SO all good, the data is getting recorded....
now to get the total shown on the watch face


(I guess im confused by the difference of using the Fitness app vs the Health app for logging data?)

 

[tcuprof]

You can have a complication for steps or steps and distance. Just add that using the Watch app.

 

[macsound1]

iphone and apple watch track your steps all the time as far as I know. The data ends up in the Health app.

 

[Night Spring]

You can have a complication for steps or steps and distance. Just add that using the Watch app.

Did they add that in watchOS 11? It used to be that you needed 3rd party apps to add complications for steps. I like the 3rd party app I've been using, so haven't checked to see if you can now do this with just the OS.

 

[arc of the universe]

Is it possible for the Watch8 (OS11.2) to automatically "track your steps" (without pressing the Fitness app record button)?

Watch (Series 8) does record your steps.
you do not need to use any 3rd party app for this.

if you are not seeing your steps in the iOS Health app, then you might want to check to ensure that on you have allowed Fitness Tracking on your Watch.
1 (on iPhone: Watch app / Privacy / Fitness Tracking )
2 (on iPhone: Health app / Tap your Profile icon / Devices / then make sure your Watch is listed in the devices allowed to put data into Health)

in order to see your steps you can look in the iPhone Health app, Steps.
and, you can also see it on your Watch in the Activity app. you need to scroll down to the last screen and it lists Steps, distance, and altitude climbed. (you dont need to set any Workout in order to see this).

 

[tcuprof]

Did they add that in watchOS 11? It used to be that you needed 3rd party apps to add complications for steps. I like the 3rd party app I've been using, so haven't checked to see if you can now do this with just the OS.

I don't recall what version added it, but it is fairly recent. I used to use the Pedometer app, but that is no longer necessary.

 

[Night Spring]

I don't recall what version added it, but it is fairly recent. I used to use the Pedometer app, but that is no longer necessary.

So which faces have this complication? I can't find it in any of the faces I checked.

 

[kkclstuff]

Watch (Series 8) does record your steps.
you do not need to use any 3rd party app for this.

if you are not seeing your steps in the iOS Health app, then you might want to check to ensure that on you have allowed Fitness Tracking on your Watch.
1 (on iPhone: Watch app / Privacy / Fitness Tracking )
2 (on iPhone: Health app / Tap your Profile icon / Devices / then make sure your Watch is listed in the devices allowed to put data into Health)

in order to see your steps you can look in the iPhone Health app, Steps.
and, you can also see it on your Watch in the Activity app. you need to scroll down to the last screen and it lists Steps, distance, and altitude climbed. (you dont need to set any Workout in order to see this).

thanks, but the only 'complication' I can add is the Activity (which doesnt include 'step count') I'd like to just have a number (ie 10k etc) showing steps for the day. I'm, guessing its not an option via .

 

[hzayas42]

thanks, but the only 'complication' I can add is the Activity (which doesnt include 'step count') I'd like to just have a number (ie 10k etc) showing steps for the day. I'm, guessing its not an option via .

Maybe I’m not understanding but my Apple Watch 8 current software, when I press Activity/Fitness, my steps are at the bottom. I did not start an activity.

 

[arc of the universe]

thanks, but the only 'complication' I can add is the Activity (which doesnt include 'step count') I'd like to just have a number (ie 10k etc) showing steps for the day. I'm, guessing its not an option via .

some other poster mentioned you could see it as a complication.

however, hzayas42 points out, there is an easy workaround if you want to access the steps screen in the Activity app painlessly:
1 set any of your Watch face's complications to open the Activity app.
2 when you click on that complication it will always go directly to last page you looked at in the Activity app last time you looked at something ion the Activity app.
so, although you cant see the number of steps on the face of the watch, the number of steps is viewable at the press of a single icon. as you will just use that last page of the Activity app.

by the way, if you do ever decide to use a 3rd party app so you can see steps as a complication value, you might be disappointed to know that all steps apps i have used never get the steps updated frequently enough to feel as if they are current. however, the steps in the Activity app do seem to be only a a few seconds of time delayed between your talking those steps and the count in the Activity app. its definitely the

 

[ndouglas]

I’ve been disappointed in the Pedometer app, whenever it’s set up to be on a watch face, it shows “0” steps, or some vastly off number, then when it’s tapped, it will usually update after 1, 2, 3-4 seconds. Not sure what the point of the “background app refresh” feature is when whether it’s steps, the stock prices from stocks app, or other data, it’s the same issue where it doesn’t actually background-refresh.

To OP, as others noted, you can find steps in the iphone Health or Fitness apps, and via the watch after clicking the Rings activity app and scrolling past the first 3 screens. Those are the only and fastest ways I know how to do this. It is a drag, but perhaps there is some truth or logic to the design about calories burned, rings, etc. being more meaningful than steps… I don’t know, but even now 3-4 years after coming Fitbit use for years, which is so steps-focused, it remains an adjustment for me to either ignore the Steps total or just look them up with some effort each time.

 

[kkclstuff]

thanks for comments (including "click to open up" options). I think my desire is being overlooked here. I'm aware that I can 'click into' specific app info on the watch (via complication/app/shortcuts etc) but what im looking for is having the steps total data 'just shown on the watch face' (as a complication).

As far as I can tell... it's not available.

 

[tcuprof]

So which faces have this complication? I can't find it in any of the faces I checked.

I took a look to see what faces would add the steps complication and I discovered they were listed under the heading Pedometer. Doh! I didn't realize they weren't standard Apple complication choices. SO, if you install the free app Pedometer, then all the things Pedometer does will show up as a complication choice. AFAIK, you'll be able to add it to any face that allows complications.

 

[kkclstuff]

Perfect thanks thats exactly what I needed!

Its really a shame that Apple doesnt allow us to utilize the health data on the watch this easily (just offer more 'complications' items—seems like a pedometer reading should have been a default option)

 

[Night Spring]

Perfect thanks thats exactly what I needed!

View attachment 2471253


Its really a shame that Apple doesnt allow us to utilize the health data on the watch this easily (just offer more 'complications' items—seems like a pedometer reading should have been a default option)

Just keep in mind that, as other posters have mentioned, the step count may not update automatically. You'd need to tap the complication and open the app to guarantee that you are looking at an up-to-date step count.

 

[kkclstuff]

Thanks for everybody's help.

I did notice that (delayed total) the first day. But on the second day I noticed; once I got home (on my network wifi) it auto updated. Not sure if thats 'by design', but hope so.

—so definitely not perfect and 'six-one-half-dozen' with just clicking-into Activity.app but its helpful for now 👍



PS> I just placed an Feedback request for the addition of a "Steps and Distance" Complication for the Watch Health and Activity apps. Please post a request with Apple Feedback in hopes of a future update