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Apple Watch Ultra Workout app is unusable

R

Racerx9

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 12, 2022
7
6
My brand-new Apple Watch Ultra paired with my brand-new iPhone 14 Pro Max isn't working as expected. The workout app does not register any workout at all, i.e., it fails to start any workout or freezes when launched, and after rebooting phone and watch it runs, but it does not register anything and then freezes around 18 or 19 minutes, whereas I'm unable to 'end' the workout, having to ultimately "kill it". A simple "outdoor walk" fails to start or when it starts it does not register any calories, minutes, or walking distance. The workout app is useless now. Neither "indoor cycling" or "outdoor cycling" didn't register anything after cycling for 15+ minutes and I use that a lot as I'm an avid cyclist (500+ miles a month). Any workout you choose either fails to start or does not register anything. The "standing" feature also does not register anything. Both watch and iPhone are running the latest versions of iOS 16.0.3 and watchOS 9.0.2 as of October 12th, 2022.
This is happening on all my devices as I also own an iPhone 11 Pro Max paired with Apple Watch Series 5, as well as iPhone XS Max paired with Apple Watch Series 4. All settings are correct as I've been using the watch since Series 3. This seems to be a major software issue flaw/bug with either iOS, watchOS or both.

I called Apple Support, opened a case with them, and they confirmed this is a known issue and their “engineers” are working on it. I’ve been uploading debug files and videos to their website after installing a “debug” profile on my iPhone and watch. So far I’ve uploaded 4 videos, several screenshots and several diagnostics (around 4gb) of files. Meanwhile the “workout” app is pretty much useless and my battery is drained to close to zero in less than 12 hours, instead of 36 hours or something advertised.
 
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Dang! I run a 5k every morning then we do a mile or so walk each evening. Not one issue ever and I’m pretty much on the same versions and devices that you listed. I started to charge my watch before bed but noticed it’s still at 75% after using it all day, doing a 5k and a mile walk. Hope they get yours fixed or send you a new one at this point. Update when you know more.
 
Racerx9 said:
My brand-new Apple Watch Ultra paired with my brand-new iPhone 14 Pro Max isn't working as expected. The workout app does not register any workout at all, i.e., it fails to start any workout or freezes when launched, and after rebooting phone and watch it runs, but it does not register anything and then freezes around 18 or 19 minutes, whereas I'm unable to 'end' the workout, having to ultimately "kill it". A simple "outdoor walk" fails to start or when it starts it does not register any calories, minutes, or walking distance. The workout app is useless now. Neither "indoor cycling" or "outdoor cycling" didn't register anything after cycling for 15+ minutes and I use that a lot as I'm an avid cyclist (500+ miles a month). Any workout you choose either fails to start or does not register anything. The "standing" feature also does not register anything. Both watch and iPhone are running the latest versions of iOS 16.0.3 and watchOS 9.0.2 as of October 12th, 2022.
This is happening on all my devices as I also own an iPhone 11 Pro Max paired with Apple Watch Series 5, as well as iPhone XS Max paired with Apple Watch Series 4. All settings are correct as I've been using the watch since Series 3. This seems to be a major software issue flaw/bug with either iOS, watchOS or both.

I called Apple Support, opened a case with them, and they confirmed this is a known issue and their “engineers” are working on it. I’ve been uploading debug files and videos to their website after installing a “debug” profile on my iPhone and watch. So far I’ve uploaded 4 videos, several screenshots and several diagnostics (around 4gb) of files. Meanwhile the “workout” app is pretty much useless and my battery is drained to close to zero in less than 12 hours, instead of 36 hours or something advertised.
Click to expand...
had the Ultra since launch, done n indoor cycling workout every day and no issues, latest OS on watch and 13PM.
Have they asked you to unpair and re-pair? that's what I would suggest. and I would setup as new, not restore from backup
 
No problems with my Ultra’s workout app except HR drops out for maybe 60 seconds but then it did the same with my series 7 SBTi
 
jz0309 said:
had the Ultra since launch, done n indoor cycling workout every day and no issues, latest OS on watch and 13PM.
Have they asked you to unpair and re-pair? that's what I would suggest. and I would setup as new, not restore from backup
Click to expand...
I did all that and more on all 3 watches to no avail. As an example, the 11 Pro Max was paired with Series 5 flawlessly for 3 years, until watchOS 9 and after unpairing to pair it to new phone 14 Pro Max while waiting for the Ultra delivery. Now that I have the Ultra paired with the 14 Pro, the Series 5 is “broken” on the 11 Pro. Luckily this time I bought Apple Care+ as I was foreseeing issues since they added too much stuff to such a tiny device, so asking for a watch replacement is an option, then again the Ultra was out of the box and same issue is plaguing my Serie 5 and 4 on different phones. We’ll see …
 
Racerx9 said:
I did all that and more on all 3 watches to no avail. As an example, the 11 Pro Max was paired with Series 5 flawlessly for 3 years, until watchOS 9 and after unpairing to pair it to new phone 14 Pro Max while waiting for the Ultra delivery. Now that I have the Ultra paired with the 14 Pro, the Series 5 is “broken” on the 11 Pro. Luckily this time I bought Apple Care+ as I was foreseeing issues since they added too much stuff to such a tiny device, so asking for a watch replacement is an option, then again the Ultra was out of the box and same issue is plaguing my Serie 5 and 4 on different phones. We’ll see …
Click to expand...

Are you setting up as new? Something in your phone is corrupted as this is ONLY HAPPENING TO YOU!
 
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Jackbequickly said:
6B32FD11-2E10-4749-B538-C4B5F32F0108.jpeg
I did that with same end result. By the way, no need to yell with capital letters and no, it’s happening to others as per Apple’s Support, unless they are lying, then again I have to believe what they said. The watchOS 9.0.2 had a fix for “newly paired Apple Watch”, in case you missed but that did not fix my issue.
Click to expand...
 
Has anyone else noticed that when using the workout app for a workout, if one goes to the home screen face to check things, there is no longer a little flashing icon at the top center of the screen to easily get back to a running / operation workout? why would they remove this?
 
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tivoboy said:
Has anyone else noticed that when using the workout app for a workout, if one goes to the home screen face to check things, there is no longer a little flashing icon at the top center of the screen to easily get back to a running / operation workout? why would they remove this?
Click to expand...
It's now easy to go back to an active backgrounded app by clicking the side button and it will be in the dock as a priority app
 
I've had zero issues with it. I'd return it if you just got it and get a new one, why trouble shoot endlessly something that I haven't seen a single other person report? Sorry this happened to you...
 
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HandsomeDanNZ said:
It's now easy to go back to an active backgrounded app by clicking the side button and it will be in the dock as a priority app
Click to expand...
That’s always been the case, but the little icon or flashing icon of at least a workout app running at the top of the screen seems to have been removed for some reason.
 
tivoboy said:
That’s always been the case, but the little icon or flashing icon of at least a workout app running at the top of the screen seems to have been removed for some reason.
Click to expand...
I mean, and I mean this respectfully, but are you saying the complication is missing? I have the workout app on my watch face and when I am in an active workout, the little person is running.
 
eeek5127 said:
I mean, and I mean this respectfully, but are you saying the complication is missing? I have the workout app on my watch face and when I am in an active workout, the little person is running.
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Actually no, not the running man/person or walking same or whatever while one is IN the workout app, but rather the dynamic complication that shows up in the middle of the TOP of the screen while technically IN a workout, but ON another screen entirely, like the Home Screen face (for lack of a better term) or sometimes other faces.

Just like when one is ON a phone call with the watch (or paired iphone) and one the Home Screen (main watch face) there is a small flashing round icon in the center top of the main screen - its usually green and I think it flashes when one lifts the watch to wake, and clicking on it takes on straight to the call app.

Same with the workout app, if one has an ACTIVE workout going, and for some reason heads to the main Home Screen of the watch, current face to say check weather or something, there is a green flashing icon (used to be at least) that would take you directly back to the main WORKOUT screen for the active workout.

That dynamic situational based icon is no longer there.
 
canyonblue737 said:
Did you read his post? It crashes for him every single time and won’t work. That said I think he has a hardware problem and should exchange the watch.
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I’m at the Apple Store as we speak getting the watch replaced … heading home afterwards to setup as I don’t want to do it at the store with funky wi-fi, etc. I will also set up the watch as new, so it won’t restore any possible “garbage” from the backup. We’ll see …
 
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Racerx9 said:
I’m at the Apple Store as we speak getting the watch replaced … heading home afterwards to setup as I don’t want to do it at the store with funky wi-fi, etc. I will also set up the watch as new, so it won’t restore any possible “garbage” from the backup. We’ll see …
Click to expand...

I think you'll be fine, literally no one had what happened to you, it must be some kind of hardware issue. Hope all goes well, let us know!
 
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