Calibration

[jon08]

Is it recommended to (re)calibrate a new AW when you upgrade from a previous version?

Supposedly if you restore from your previous AW backup it also transfers your calibration data, right? (Tho imo I’d think it would still be a good idea to calibrate a new watch again.)

Also, is it better to take just your watch without iPhone with you the first couple of times to make sure you really calibrate just the watch? Or does it not really matter?

 

[Night Spring]

I haven't consciously calibrated new watches. I don't think it matters much now that watches have GPS.

 

[jz0309]

Is it recommended to (re)calibrate a new AW when you upgrade from a previous version?

Supposedly if you restore from your previous AW backup it also transfers your calibration data, right? (Tho imo I’d think it would still be a good idea to calibrate a new watch again.)

Also, is it better to take just your watch without iPhone with you the first couple of times to make sure you really calibrate just the watch? Or does it not really matter?

this is hat Apple has to say, but since they are referencing AW2, i'm not sure how much to trust this even though it has a publish date of Sep 2021

Calibrate your Apple Watch for improved Workout and Activity accuracy - Apple Support

You can calibrate your Apple Watch to improve the accuracy of your distance, pace, and calorie measurements. Calibrating your watch can also help it learn your fitness level and stride, which improves accuracy when GPS is limited or unavailable.

support.apple.com

At the same token, I do not recall reading through Apple docs when setting up a new watch there there is a recommendation to re-calibrate ...
me personally, I'm on my 5th watch and never bothered calibrating any of them ...

 

[deeddawg]

Is it recommended to (re)calibrate a new AW when you upgrade from a previous version?

Supposedly if you restore from your previous AW backup it also transfers your calibration data, right? (Tho imo I’d think it would still be a good idea to calibrate a new watch again.)

Also, is it better to take just your watch without iPhone with you the first couple of times to make sure you really calibrate just the watch? Or does it not really matter?

Calibrate what in particular, and what are you measuring?

That, and how you use whatever data is produced, will guide you in whether or not it matters.

I've never intentionally calibrated a new AW and hadn't ever noticed something being off whether in terms of steps or distance.

 

[jon08]

Calibrate what in particular, and what are you measuring?

That, and how you use whatever data is produced, will guide you in whether or not it matters.

I've never intentionally calibrated a new AW and hadn't ever noticed something being off whether in terms of steps or distance.

Calibrating as per this article:

Calibrate your Apple Watch for improved Workout and Activity accuracy - Apple Support

You can calibrate your Apple Watch to improve the accuracy of your distance, pace, and calorie measurements. Calibrating your watch can also help it learn your fitness level and stride, which improves accuracy when GPS is limited or unavailable.

support.apple.com

 

[nattK]

I haven't consciously calibrated new watches. I don't think it matters much now that watches have GPS.

Calibration is necessary for the Apple Watch to know your stride and cadence if you intend to do indoor walking and/or running workouts since GPS is useless when you're stationary.

 

[deeddawg]

Calibration is necessary for the Apple Watch to know your stride and cadence if you intend to do indoor walking and/or running workouts since GPS is useless when you're stationary.

Since I abhor indoor running/walking, and do my runs outdoors in any weather but lightning storms, there's been zero need for me to explicitly calibrate any new AW I've owned.

If OP exclusively runs/walks indoors then yes, there would be reason to go for a 20 minute outdoor walk or run before relying on any metrics generated indoors.

 

[PaladinGuy]

If you run or walk a lot indoors, I’d recalibrate when you get a new one. All you have to do is do 20 minutes or more of an outdoor run or walk to calibrate it.