How to track steps on your Apple Watch

If you're trying to keep track of your activity, your Apple Watch® is one of the best tools for the job. It tracks your calories, distance, heart rate, and more—but one of the most useful features is step counting.

At Asurion, our experts help millions of people get the most out of their tech, including Apple Watch. Here’s how to view and track your steps—plus how to sync them with the Health app and customize your goals.

How to track steps on your Apple Watch

You can see your step count right on your Apple Watch or in the Fitness app on your iPhone®.

View your steps on your Apple Watch

1. Press the Digital Crown to open the app screen.
2. Tap the Activity app (with three rings).
3. Scroll down past your Move, Exercise, and Stand rings.
4. You’ll see Total Steps listed with your distance and flights climbed.

View your steps in the Fitness app on your iPhone

1. Open the Fitness app.
2. Tap your Activity Rings at the top of the screen.
3. Scroll down to view your total steps for the day.

How to track historical step data in the Health app

For more detailed step history—including trends and averages—use the Health app.

1. Open the Health app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Browse, then select Activity > Steps.
3. You’ll see your step totals by day, week, month, and year.

How to add steps to your Apple Watch face

Want to see your step count at a glance? You can add a complication for that:

1. Press and hold your current Watch face.
2. Tap Edit, then swipe to the Complications screen.
3. Tap a complication area and choose a step tracking app like Pedometer++ or StepsApp.
4. Press the Digital Crown to save your changes.

Note: The built-in Activity app doesn’t show steps on the Watch face—but third-party apps do.

How to set step goals on Apple Watch

Apple doesn't let you set step goals by default, but you can create a Move goal to encourage more walking:

1. Open the Activity app.
2. Swipe up and tap Change Goals.
3. Set your daily Move goal higher to motivate more steps.

For more step-specific goals, use third-party apps that let you track and adjust step targets daily.

FAQs

Can you track steps on Apple Watch without iPhone?

Yes. Your Apple Watch tracks steps even without your iPhone nearby. The data syncs once they reconnect.

Why don’t I see my steps on the Watch face?

The built-in Activity app doesn’t display steps on the Watch face. You’ll need to use a third-party app like Pedometer++ to add that complication.

Does Apple Watch track steps while running?

Yes. Apple Watch counts all steps, whether you’re walking, running, or climbing stairs. It also tracks distance and calories.

How accurate is the step count on Apple Watch?

It’s generally very accurate, using a mix of sensors and movement algorithms. Still, occasional discrepancies can occur depending on wrist placement or stride.