Issues with Apple Watch steps

[Nhwhazup]

I’ve updated to iOS 26 on my iPhone, watch and iPad. My Apple Watch is not keeping up with my steps. I have to reboot it for the steps to catch up. Any suggestions?

 

[goldmac2006]

I’ve updated to iOS 26 on my iPhone, watch and iPad. My Apple Watch is not keeping up with my steps. I have to reboot it for the steps to catch up. Any suggestions?

Are you tracking the steps from the activity app, or are you using a third party app?

 

[Nhwhazup]

Are you tracking the steps from the activity app, or are you using a third party app?

I use Runkeeper App which is on my phone and watch. The steps show in the app on my watch but not in the overall steps. This wasn’t an issue before ios 26.

 

[iGeek2014]

Suspect it's potentially a bug within WatchOS 26 as it's been the same for me w/out using a 3rd party app.

 

[goldmac2006]

I use Runkeeper App which is on my phone and watch. The steps show in the app on my watch but not in the overall steps. This wasn’t an issue before ios 26.

Can you check it in the activity app?

 

[Nhwhazup]

I also use the Duffy app to show the actual steps on my Apple Watch. However, that seems frozen on the Watch. Shows fine in the app itself but not on the face of the watch.

 

[Nhwhazup]

Can you check it in the activity app?

All the apps agree on steps - Health, Runkeeper and Duffy. However the Duffy complication on the watch face showing steps is totally different and frozen.

 

[jz0309]

All the apps agree on steps - Health, Runkeeper and Duffy. However the Duffy complication on the watch face showing steps is totally different and frozen.

I would expect that all apps agree on steps as in all likelihood they use the same source.
Check in the health app in the steps section which apps can read/write.
if the complication you mention is not correct or up to date - that app has a bug

 

[goldmac2006]

All the apps agree on steps - Health, Runkeeper and Duffy. However the Duffy complication on the watch face showing steps is totally different and frozen.

Complications? It may be an issue with the app itself. Can you uninstall and reinstall it?

 

[DR3MCLAREN]

I've had the same issue on my AWU2 since July when I installed the beta. I use Stepsapp, and have done for years, and it too struggles with updating like it did on all the previous watch os versions. I keep waiting for Apple to fix this but I think the list of things to fix in watch os and iOS are both quite long so might be a while.

 

[goldmac2006]

I've had the same issue on my AWU2 since July when I installed the beta. I use Stepsapp, and have done for years, and it too struggles with updating like it did on all the previous watch os versions. I keep waiting for Apple to fix this but I think the list of things to fix in watch os and iOS are both quite long so might be a while.

I track my steps from peak watch app for the complication or use Watchsmith, they don’t have problems with not updating accurately. It pulls from the Activity app data for the steps

 

[Nhwhazup]

Thanks everyone. I spent a good part of the day on Thursday to finally get this fixed. Not a happy camper with iOS 26. More options but what used to take one click now takes multiple on many apps. Hope 26.1 helps.

 

[oliviacp]

I can recommend that you disconnect and reconnect your Apple Watch to your iPhone. This usually resolves issues with incremental syncing after a major iOS update.

 

[circatee]

Thanks everyone. I spent a good part of the day on Thursday to finally get this fixed. Not a happy camper with iOS 26. More options but what used to take one click now takes multiple on many apps. Hope 26.1 helps.

Is it still thus far working correctly, i.e., steps showing correctly in all apps/locations?

 

[Nhwhazup]

After a good part of a day removing apps and reinstalling and rebooting - has stayed working consistently and tracking the same between the phone and watch.

 

[ufgatorvet]

Using the Steps app/complication and no issues that I can tell.