Apple Watch Metrics Do Not Match iPhone App

If the Apple Watch app or watch widget metrics do not match those displayed in the iPhone app, follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue.

Understanding Why This Happens

Apple Watch widgets are only permitted to update four times per hour, which means that metrics like Exertion or Steps may not always reflect the most recent heart rate or steps observations in real time. Additionally, since Apple Watch only allows access to the past 7 days of data, Athlytic calculates your 60-day baselines on the iPhone and syncs them back to the watch via Watch Connectivity and iCloud. If the Watch and iPhone show different values, it is likely due to a syncing issue with iCloud or Apple Health data. Additionally, an app update may have updated the version on the iPhone, but not the watch.

If Exertion, Battery, Stress, or any other watch or widget metrics do not match the iPhone app metrics, please try the following troubleshooting steps:

Step 1: Check that the Watch and iPhone App Version Numbers Match

On iPhone:

Open Athlytic.
Go to the More tab and scroll to the bottom.
Check the Version Number.

On Apple Watch:

Open Athlytic.
Scroll all the way to the bottom past Settings.
Check the Version Number.

If the versions do not match:

Open the Watch app on iPhone.
Under Installed on Apple Watch, select Athlytic.
Toggle Show on Apple Watch off, then back on.
Scroll down to Available Apps to ensure Athlytic is reinstalling. If not, select Install.
This will update the Watch app to the current version.

Step 2: Force Quit & Restart the Apps

Before force quitting, make sure your iPhone is nearby your watch.

On iPhone:

Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or double-press the Home button on older iPhones).
Locate Athlytic in the app switcher.
Swipe up to force close the app.

On Apple Watch:

Press the Digital Crown to display all apps.
Press and hold the side button until the power menu appears.
Press and hold the Digital Crown until the power menu app closes.

Lastly, reopen both apps and give it some time to sync back up.

Step 3: Ensure Background App Refresh is Enabled

Background App Refresh allows widgets to request updates.

On iPhone:

Open Apple Settings.
Go to General → Background App Refresh.
Confirm that Background App Refresh is turned on for both the system and Athlytic.

Apple Watch:

Open the Watch app on iPhone (black watch icon).
Go to General → Background App Refresh.
Confirm that Background App Refresh is turned on for both the system and Athlytic.

Step 4: Check iCloud Syncing Issues

Athlytic stores your 60-day baselines in iCloud, so if the Watch and iPhone are out of sync, there may be an iCloud syncing issue.

Check that you are logged into iCloud on your Apple Watch by going to Settings → Profile on the Watch. If you are not logged in, sign in to iCloud and force quit Athlytic on the Watch.
On your iPhone, check that Athlytic can save to iCloud by going to Settings → Profile (at top) → iCloud → Saved to iCloud → and ensure Athlytic is toggled on.
On the iPhone, go to Settings → General → Background App Refresh and confirm that it is turned on for both the system and Athlytic.

Step 5: Check Wrist Detection & Health Data Permissions

Apple Watch requires Wrist Detection to collect certain health data. If this is turned off, some metrics may not update properly.

On the iPhone, open the Watch app and select Passcode.
Scroll down and ensure Wrist Detection is enabled.
To check your health permissions are toggled on, go to Apple Health > Sharing > Apps > Athlytic > and Toggle On access there.

Step 6: Unpair & Repair the Apple Watch (Last Resort)

If none of the above steps resolve the issue within 24 hours, unpairing and repairing the Apple Watch may reset the syncing process.

Open the Watch app on the iPhone.
Tap All Watches (in the upper left top corner), select your Watch by tapping the circled (i), and tap Unpair Apple Watch.
After unpairing, set up the Apple Watch again and re-enable iCloud syncing.

If none of these troubleshooting steps resolve the issue, consider reaching out to Athlytic support for further assistance.