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If you have been using the Workout app on your Apple Watch and have noticed that it is often inaccurate in reporting your distances, there’s a way to calibrate it for more accurate fitness tracking. Without GPS, the Apple Watch relies on steps, time, heart rate, and the user’s weight and height to estimate distance and calories burned during workouts. However, these measurements can still be off. To improve the accuracy of your Apple Watch as a fitness tracker, follow these steps:
Calibrating the Apple Watch with the Help of an iPhone GPS
Calibrating the Apple Watch is a simple process. All you need to do is keep the watch within Bluetooth range of your iPhone throughout your workout. This will give the watch more information to work with, resulting in more accurate distance calculation. It is recommended to perform one or two calibration runs outdoors using the iPhone. After calibration, the Apple Watch will remember your running style to improve accuracy.
What Settings Need to Be Turned On?
By default, most settings are turned on. However, it’s best to check if the location services on your iPhone are turned on. You can check in the Settings app under Privacy > Location Services. Also, make sure movement calibration is turned on. You can find this under Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services. Finally, Apple recommends keeping your iPhone close to your body during calibration, preferably on your arm or a belt.
How Fast Will Apple Watch Learn from Your Runs?
Apple recommends running outdoors for at least 20 minutes with the iPhone GPS for the first calibration run. During this time, the Apple Watch will gather and store the required data to improve its accuracy. After the first calibration run, the Watch will begin to learn from your runs, with subsequent calibrations seeing further improvement.
While some may argue that distance accuracy is not critical, except for race training, many users come to the Apple Watch with previous treadmill or pre-mapped workouts experience. With calibration, you can make your Apple Watch a more accurate fitness tracker, whether you’re training for a race or just tracking your everyday fitness goals.
Latest FAQs
1. Can I calibrate my Apple Watch without an iPhone?
No. Calibration requires the use of an iPhone GPS for the first one or two calibration runs.
2. What types of exercises can I calibrate my Apple Watch for?
Calibration is primarily intended for outdoor running or walking exercises, but it can also be used for outdoor cycling workouts.