The Apple Watch is one of the best Apple products released in years, and this Fall it is about to get even better. With the release of watchOS 5, Apple plans to introduce “Auto-Workout Detection” for those who forget to manually start workouts.
It’s no secret that the Apple Watch has been geared towards those looking for a healthier lifestyle. The included heart-rate monitor helps you keep track of what’s going on under your hood. Meanwhile, watchOS and iOS work together to ensure that you are meeting daily, weekly, and monthly goals.
In addition to the new Auto-Workout Detection, Apple is also wanting users to challenge each other. Similar to the Fitbit Community, watchOS 5 will let you compete with your friends and family in various workouts.
How to enable Auto-Workout Detection on Watch
As we stated, this feature will be coming to users with the release of watchOS 5. However, you will likely want to know how to make sure that this is properly set up.
In order to enable Auto-Workout Detection, follow these steps:
Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch
Select General
Tap “Workout”
Scroll down to “Start Workout Reminder” and “End Workout Reminder”
Change the toggles
By default, Auto-Workout Detection will be enabled on your Apple Watch. So the above steps will only be necessary if you want to turn them off and turn them on at a later time.
How to enable Auto-Workout Detection on iPhone
If you don’t feel like fiddling with the smaller display, you can adjust these settings from your iPhone. You will just have to deal with the Watch app.
Open the Watch app on your iPhone
Tap the My Watch tab
Select Workout from the menu
Scroll down to “Start Workout Reminder” and “End Workout Reminder”
Set the toggles accordingly
As with most settings from the Watch app, you won’t have to worry about changing anything on your Watch. Instead, the settings will automatically be applied, making life easier for you in the process.
Start Workout
The biggest benefit to Auto-Workout Detection is for those who chronically forget to manually start workouts. watchOS 5 will hopefully fix that issue as it will automatically detect when you start working out.
This is compatible with the following workouts:
Running
Walking
Swimming
Elliptical Workouts
Rowing Workouts
If you Apple Watch detects that you have started a workout, a notification will arrive on your wrist. It will state “It looks like you’re working out.”, and will provide different options.
These options will vary depending on what your Apple Watch thinks you are doing. If you want to start tracking the workout, you can just tap the appropriate button and get back to work.
End Workout
For those who constantly forget to end their workouts on the Watch, Apple has your back. watchOS 5 will also automatically detect when your workout has ended, so that the tracking information is correct.
When the workout has been completed, your Watch will send an alert asking if you have stopped working out. From there, you will be taken to the workout app to end the workout and cool down.
It seems that this functionality works with all of the different workout types. However, the one limitation is for workouts that fall under the “Other” category.
Conclusion
Apple is really gearing up for the release of watchOS 5 this Fall. We are already expecting to see new Apple Watch’s introduced, and these will be a wonderful way to get everyone on board with the latest software.
If you have any questions, feel free to let us know in the comments below. If you run into any issues, don’t hesitate to ask, and we are more than happy to help you through the process.
Andrew is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US.
He has written for a variety of sites over the years, including iMore, Android Central, Phandroid, and a few others. Now, he spends his days working for an HVAC company, while moonlighting as a freelance writer at night.
I’m having a little frustration with my new apple watch (Series 3). I’m wondering if you have any suggestions for me.
I find that when I go out walking, the watch doesn’t decide to record my walk as a workout, until almost 20 minutes into my walk. Same thing when I ride my bike (I commute by bike).
Is there way to set that time threshold lower? On my “old” Fitbit, it would start tracking me after 10 minutes and retroactively recognize the start time.
I made all possible settings and troubleshooting. Since watchOS 8 it no longer detects that workouts have begun. I’m on 8.1 now and still not detected. This is a bad bug for people that use these watches for their health.
Really disappointed. Had Fitbit before and it would automatically pick up any exercise and get it right. And so much cheaper than Apple. Thank goodness it was a gift. Would not buy again
Can I change the auto alert time? It doesn’t alert me of a walk until I’ve been walking for 10 or more minutes. Can I change this somewhere to 5 minutes?
The most common cause for auto workout detection to not function properly is wearing your Apple Watch too loose–try tightening it up by another notch (even for workouts only) and see if this makes a difference.
1) Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Tap the My Watch tab, then tap Passcode. Make sure that Wrist Detection is on.
2) Tighten your Apple Watch band another notch, if you can and it’s comfortable. For this feature to work the watch must snugly fit on top of your wrist
3) Turn off power savings mode if enabled, Apple Watch app > Workout
Automatic workout detection doesn’t work for me. Been out walking twice since upgrading and no reminders, even though I closed both the green and red rings.
Greetings
I’m having a little frustration with my new apple watch (Series 3). I’m wondering if you have any suggestions for me.
I find that when I go out walking, the watch doesn’t decide to record my walk as a workout, until almost 20 minutes into my walk. Same thing when I ride my bike (I commute by bike).
Is there way to set that time threshold lower? On my “old” Fitbit, it would start tracking me after 10 minutes and retroactively recognize the start time.
Anyway to set up the Apple Watch to do that?
Thanks for your time.
I made all possible settings and troubleshooting. Since watchOS 8 it no longer detects that workouts have begun. I’m on 8.1 now and still not detected. This is a bad bug for people that use these watches for their health.
Really disappointed. Had Fitbit before and it would automatically pick up any exercise and get it right. And so much cheaper than Apple. Thank goodness it was a gift. Would not buy again
Can I change the auto alert time? It doesn’t alert me of a walk until I’ve been walking for 10 or more minutes. Can I change this somewhere to 5 minutes?
If you turn off auto workout reminders what happens? Does it stop recording things like “Outdoor walks”?
Even though I have set up my Apple Watch for auto detection as mentioned it is not working in my Apple Watch
Hi Punnaiah,
The most common cause for auto workout detection to not function properly is wearing your Apple Watch too loose–try tightening it up by another notch (even for workouts only) and see if this makes a difference.
If problems continue, let us know
Liz
My watch is set to recognise/ notify when starting a workout but it doesn’t seem to be working. Both on outdoor walk and swimming
Hi Helen,
Let’s check a few settings:
1) Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Tap the My Watch tab, then tap Passcode. Make sure that Wrist Detection is on.
2) Tighten your Apple Watch band another notch, if you can and it’s comfortable. For this feature to work the watch must snugly fit on top of your wrist
3) Turn off power savings mode if enabled, Apple Watch app > Workout
The above msg I get it in the pool on my AW series 3.
Updated to the latest version.
I hate this auto pop up msg because I cannot confirm the pool workout and my hand/fingers are wet!
Can this msg not be confirmed automatically.
As once also I finish the pool I must confirm the end and my hand are wet so I cannot confirm.
Same when I walk big walk and it says it looks like you are working out.
Please track your work out… why Do I have everytime to confirm???
Can this be confirmed automatically once it detects I am working out and also confirm automatically once I finish?????
Add cycling to workout detection
Automatic workout detection doesn’t work for me. Been out walking twice since upgrading and no reminders, even though I closed both the green and red rings.
Yes, same here. No workout detection, even on outdoor walks for +30 minutes or CrossFit sessions.
Same here. This seems to be a relatively common issue, but the handful of posts I’ve looked at seem to assume that it works for everybody. Not me.
Do you have to calibrate the watch first? Did you need to have done a timed workout, or something other than an Open Goal workout, beforehand?