Why your Apple Watch Activity is not syncing and how to fix

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Apple Watch Activity

Syncing the Apple Watch activity data is extremely important for anyone tracking their fitness and health. It’s probably the reason they got the iWatch. Now, when you have a case where the Apple Watch is not syncing with iPhone, it can inconvenience them significantly.

Fortunately, we’re here with a couple of reliable solutions to help you get things on track. So, whether you’re dealing with the issue currently or not, read this article to the end to get an idea of what should be done. It will be much better and cheaper if you can DIY the malfunction.

Reasons iWatch is not syncing with iPhone

If your Apple Watch is connected but not syncing the Activity data, it could be because:

  • Bluetooth and Wi-Fi or cellular data are disabled.
  • The software is outdated.
  • The privacy settings are incorrect.
  • There’s a bug or glitch in the system.
  • Network issues.
  • The fitness tracking option is disabled.

Read: How to fix no service error on your iPhone

How to fix an Apple Watch that is not syncing Activity

Now, let’s dive into the troubleshooting guide:

1. Enable fitness tracking

You should start by checking if fitness tracking is enabled on your iPhone. Follow this guide:

  • Open “Settings”.
  • Scroll down and tap the Privacy option.
  • Select “Motion & Fitness”.
  • Toggle ON “Fitness Tracking”.

For the watch, open the watch app on your iPhone then use the guide below:

  • Go to “My Watch”.
  • Tap on “Privacy”.
  • Toggle ON “Fitness Tracking” and “Heart Rate”.

Wait for a few minutes or reboot both devices then check if the sync is working.

2. Check your Bluetooth and internet connection

Bluetooth on iPhone

For the syncing to happen, there must be a connection between the devices, and that usually happens through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Swipe up or down on your iPhone (it depends on the model) to open the control center.

Ensure that either the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth or both of them are ON for each device. And, they are connected. You can switch one On and the other Off then check if the syncing works, and alternate.

3. Configure the progress updates setting

The progress updates is a feature that sets the length of intervals that you receive updates on your Activity progress. Make sure you set it to “None” and see if the Activity will sync. Here is the guide to follow:

  • Launch the Watch app on your iPhone.
  • Go to “My Watch” at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  • Scroll down and tap on “Activity”.
  • Look for “Progress Updates” and tap on it.
  • Change it to “None”.

Go back and check if your Activity app has synced. If it hasn’t, move to the next solution.

4. Enable and disable Airplane mode

This solution will help to sever the connection between your devices then reconnect them. As a result, it fixes any errors that might interfere with the syncing process. It’s like a light reset of the connections.

How to enable and disable Airplane mode on iPhone

  • Swipe up on your home screen to bring up the “Control Center”.
  • Tap the “Airplane icon” to enable Airplane mode.
  • Wait a few seconds then tap the “Airplane icon” to disable Airplane mode.
  • Ideally, you can open “Settings” then toggle the “Airplane mode” On. wait for a while then toggle it Off.

How to enable and disable Airplane mode on your Apple Watch

  • Swipe up on your Watch’s home screen to open the “Control Center”.
  • Tap on the “Airplane icon” to enable Airplane mode.
  • Wait a few seconds then tap on the “Airplane icon” again to disable Airplane mode.

Reconnect the devices and check if Apple Watch Activity still has syncing issues.

Read: iPhone voicemail says full after deleting

5. Restart your devices

This will refresh the apps and software thus fixing bugs. It’s a fast and simple solution to many tech problems.

How to Reboot iPhone X and Later Models

  • Press and hold either the Volume Up or Volume Down button and the side/power button simultaneously.
  • Release both of them when you see the power off slider.
  • Drag the slider to shut down your iPhone.
  • Wait for a few seconds.
  • Press and hold the power/side button to turn On the device.
  • Release it when you see the Apple logo.

How to Reboot iPhone SE (2nd Generation), 8, 7, and 6

  • Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the power off slider appears.
  • Drag the slider to switch off your iPhone.
  • Wait for a couple of seconds before you press and hold the side button.
  • Release it when you see the Apple logo.

How to Reboot iPhone SE (1st Generation), 5 and Earlier Models

  • Press and hold the top button until you see the power off slider.
  • Drag the slider to shut down your phone.
  • Wait for a couple of seconds.
  • Press and hold the top button again.
  • Release it when you see the Apple logo.

How to reboot your Apple Watch

  • Press and hold the power button that’s on the side of your Apple Watch.
  • From the list of options that appear, drag the power off slider to the right to shut down your Watch.
  • Wait a few seconds then press the side button again to turn On the Apple Watch.

Connect the device and check if the Apple Watch Activity syncs.

6. Force quit Activity app and open it again

Force quit the Activity app on your iPhone and Apple Watch then relaunch. This is a simple solution that helps to fix many glitches in smart devices.

How to force quit the Apple Watch

  • Press and hold the side button until you see the Power Off interface on the screen.
  • Pres and hold the Digital crown button for a few seconds.
  • These actions will quit the app and open the home screen.

How to force quit an app on iPhone

  • iPhone X and later models: Swipe up from the home screen then hold in the middle of the screen. When you see the Activity app card, swipe it up to close.
  • iPhone 8 and earlier models: Doudle press the home button then swipe up the Activity app to quit it.

Go back and relaunch the app on both devices to see if the Activity syncs.

7. Update the software

If bugs are the reason iPhone and Apple Watch are not syncing, you simply need to update the software. This could also help to improve the performance of the devices.

How to update your iPhone:

  • Open “Settings”.
  • Tap on “General” followed by “Software Update”.
  • Download and install the available update.

How to update the Apple Watch

  • First, your iPhone must have the latest iOS.
  • The Watch must have at least 50% charge and be connected to a charger.
  • The iPhone must be near and connected to Wi-Fi.
  • Launch the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
  • Go to the “My Watch” tab.
  • Tap on “General”.
  • Select “Software Update” and download and install the available update.
  • Also, you can update the Watch directly by selecting “General” on the Watch then tapping on the “Software Update”.

8. Reset Apple Watch sync data

If the Apple Watch Activity still has issues syncing, then it’s time to reset its sync data. Here is the best guide to follow:

  • Go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
  • Tap on “General”.
  • Scroll down and pick “Reset”.
  • Go to watch and tap on “Reset Sync Data”.
  • You should note that this will erase the contacts and calendar data on your Apple Watch. However, you should get it back when you re-sync.

9. Unpair and erase the Apple Watch then set it up again

Follow the steps below to unpair your Apple Watch from your iPhone:

  • Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
  • Select “All watches”.
  • Tap the information icon adjacent to your watch.
  • Tap on “Unpair Apple watch”.

To erase everything, you’ll go back to the “Reset” Menu.

  • Simply tap on “General” then “Reset”.
  • Now, select “Apple Watch Content and Settings”
  • Tap on the “Erase All Content and Settings” pop-up to confirm.

To set up the two devices again, use this guide:

  • Turn On your Apple Watch.
  • Put your iPhone and Apple watch close to each other.
  • When the Apple Watch pairing screen appears on your iPhone, tap “Continue”.
  • You could also open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and tap “Pair New watch”.
  • Next, select “Set Up for Myself”.
  • You’ll be prompted to position your iPhone in a way that the Apple Watch appears in the viewfinder in the Apple Watch App.
  • This will result in the pairing of the two devices.
  • Tap on “Set Up Apple Watch” and follow the instructions on your Apple Watch and iPhone to complete the set-up process.

Conclusion

With this guide, you should be able to fix the syncing issue of your Apple Watch Activity. However, if nothing works, you can always reach out to Apple Care. You might be dealing with a complex problem that requires the skills of a seasoned expert. And, who better to do that than the manufacturer?