How to Fix Apple Watch Not Tracking Steps Properly

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Your Apple Watch is supposed to act like a fitness tracker and record various things like steps, calories, and time. When it fails to do that, it feels like there's no point using the tracker. Don't worry. This guide will walk you through fixing any issues you have with your Watch not recording your steps.

Tools You'll Need:

• Your fitness tracker

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Supplies You'll Need:

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Before You Begin:

• You must have access to a computer with iTunes installed.
• You must have that thing for the other thing so you can do the thing.

You must have this thing before you whatever.

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How to Fix the Issue

While you can correct your Apple Watch not tracking your steps by calibrating, you may need to restart the device.

Additional Tips

• Use your non-dominant arm for your fitness tracker. It moves less than your dominant arm and is statistically less likely to cause damage to your tracker.
• Wear your tracker against your skin, not over clothing.
• Fitness trackers are not as accurate as chest straps. Unless the readings you're receiving are very inaccurate there should be nothing to worry about.
• Keep your tracker charged. Low battery power could cause inaccurate readings.

2. Enable Calibration and Calibrate Your Apple Watch

Make Sure Calibration is On

1. On your iPhone, open Settings.
   

1. Tap Privacy.
   

1. Tap Location Services.
   

1. Make sure that Location Services is turned on.
   

1. Scroll down and tap System Services.
   

1. Make sure that Motion Calibration & Distance is turned on.
   

1. Continue with the steps below.

Calibrate

1. While wearing your Apple Watch, go to a flat, open outdoor area that offers good GPS reception and clear skies.
2. If you have Apple Watch Series 2 or later, you just need your Apple Watch. If you have Apple Watch Series 1 or earlier, bring your iPhone for GPS. Hold your iPhone in your hand, or wear it on an armband or waistband.
3. Open the Workout app.
   

1. To start, tap Outdoor Walk or Outdoor Run.
   

1. Walk or run at your normal pace for about 20 minutes.
2. Whenever you walk or run outside using the above steps, your Apple Watch continues to calibrate the accelerometer by learning your stride length at different speeds.
3. Calibration can also improve the accuracy of your calorie calculations in the Workout app, and the calorie, distance, Move, and Exercise calculations in the Activity app. 

3. Restart Your Apple Watch

If your Apple Watch is charging, take it off the charger first. When your watch is charging, you can't restart it.

1. Press and hold the side button until you see the Power Off slider.
   

1. Drag the slider to turn off your device.
2. After your watch turns off, press and hold the side button again until you see the Apple logo.

4. If It Still Doesn't Work