How often does the step counter get updated on the apple watch?

linear2202

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May 15, 2016
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I got a series 2 watch last Friday.

A couple of times, I opened the activity app on the watch and looked at the step count. I then pushed the crown button to go to the home screen. I put my arm down and then walked and counted the steps.

I brought up my arm, opened the activity app and saw my steps did not count up at all.

I did this today counting an additional 50 steps, but this did not get reflected in the app.

I have done the calibration. I did a reset of the calibration and did a 27 minute walk outside in clear cover but somewhat cloudy skies. I opened the exercise app and selected outdoor walk when I did this.

Does the step count update every 5 minutes or something?

thanks.
 

malt1977

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Aug 11, 2013
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I know it's certainly not instant, but then I don't really worry about steps. Active calories is where it's at, and they seem to update a few seconds after raising my watch to look.
 

tcuprof

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As an experiment, I checked my steps, walked 100 steps, and then checked again. It took approximately 30 seconds for the steps to update. I then did the experiment again and got the same results. This is with AW Series O with iphone in pocket.
 

linear2202

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Thanks. I think you are right in that it updates after a period of time and not instantly. I feel like it updates after it senses you aren't moving.

I know steps aren't a big deal, but since I have no real way to track calories burned, it at least something I can say seems to be accurate.

Thanks again to both of you.
 

malt1977

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You're welcome.

The activity app does measure active calories, ok, it's not going to be the most accurate reading but it'll do for most of us, if even as a form of motivation to get out and do more.
 

tcuprof

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You're welcome linear2202.

The activity app does measure active calories, ok, it's not going to be the most accurate reading but it'll do for most of us, if even as a form of motivation to get out and do more.

A recent study by the Cleveland Clinic published in JAMA Cardiology reports that Apple Watch was 90% accurate at measuring heart rate (read about it here). If the watch can measure heart rate that accurately, it has to be similarly accurate at measuring calories.
 

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