Using a smartwatch on iOS

Apple Health is built in. You do not install it.

Give Steps & Beasts permission to read steps:

1. 1
   Open Health.
2. 2
   Tap your profile picture (top right).
3. 3
   Under Privacy, tap Apps.
4. 4
   Tap Steps & Beasts.
5. 5
   Turn on Steps.

You can also do this from iPhone Settings → Health → Data Access & Devices → Steps & Beasts, or from the permission screen inside Steps & Beasts.

Apple Health keeps every source, then picks a winner.

Default order:

1. 1
   Numbers you typed in by hand
2. 2
   iPhone and Apple Watch
3. 3
   Other apps

A new app often jumps to the top when you first connect it. You can change the order.

If you wear a Garmin (or any other tracker) and carry the iPhone, put the watch’s app at the top of Steps. Otherwise Health may prefer the phone and ignore the watch on walks where you left the phone at home - or the other way around.

1. 1
   Open Health → Search → Steps.
2. 2
   Scroll down → Data Sources & Access.
3. 3
   Tap Edit.
4. 4
   Drag the companion app above iPhone.
5. 5
   Tap Done.

Official notes: View and prioritize your data sources.

No extra app. Pair the watch in the Watch app, then:

1. 1
   Open Health → profile → Devices → your Apple Watch.
2. 2
   Tap Privacy Settings.
3. 3
   Turn on Fitness Tracking.

That is enough. Apple Watch steps land in Apple Health on their own.

If steps look wrong, check source order (section 2) and that Settings → Privacy & Security → Motion & Fitness → Fitness Tracking is on.

Fitbit used to have no native Apple Health write. As of Google Health 5.05 (August 2026) it can write steps, exercise, sleep, and vitals.

Use the Google Health app (the Fitbit app’s successor). iOS 16.4 or later. Sign in with a Google account.

1. 1
   Update Google Health.
2. 2
   Sync the tracker in that app.
3. 3
   Tap Connections → Apps and services.
4. 4
   Under Add connections, tap Apple Health → Get started → Agree.
5. 5
   Turn on Steps (or Turn All Categories On) → Allow → Done.

Then check Health → Steps → Data Sources & Access for Google Health.

Official notes: Use Apple Health with Google Health.

A Pixel Watch is built for Android. On iPhone, use Google Health the same way as Fitbit if your watch is already paired there. If Google Health cannot see the watch, we cannot see it either.

Garmin writes steps to Apple Health. Garmin-only scores (Body Battery and similar) stay in Garmin Connect.

1. 1
   Update Garmin Connect and sync the watch.
2. 2
   Open Garmin Connect → More (•••) → Settings → Connected Apps → Apple Health. Some versions say Connect to Apple Health under Settings.
3. 3
   Allow Steps.

Then put Garmin Connect at the top of Health → Steps → Data Sources & Access if you want the watch to win over the iPhone.

Polar Flow writes Polar-measured steps to Apple Health. It does not read Apple Health back.

1. 1
   Update Polar Flow and sync the watch.
2. 2
   Open Flow → More → General settings.
3. 3
   Turn on Apple Health.
4. 4
   Turn on Steps (or Turn All Categories On) → Allow.

Official notes: Connecting Polar Flow with Apple Health.

1. 1
   Update the WHOOP app and sync the band.
2. 2
   Open WHOOP → More → Integrations (sometimes App Settings → Integrations) → Apple Health.
3. 3
   Tap Connect and allow Steps.

1. 1
   Open the Withings app → Profile → Settings (gear).
2. 2
   Tap Export health data to Apple Health.
3. 3
   Tap Next, allow Steps, then Allow → Done.

Official notes: Exporting Withings data into Apple Health.

1. 1
   Update the COROS app and sync the watch.
2. 2
   Open COROS → Profile → Settings → 3rd Party Apps → Data Sync → Apple Health.
3. 3
   Allow Steps.

Official notes: Connecting Apple Health with COROS.

Suunto writes steps to Apple Health on iPhone (it does not write to Android Health Connect).

1. 1
   Update the Suunto app and sync the watch.
2. 2
   Open Suunto → profile → Settings.
3. 3
   Turn on Save to Apple Health → Allow, including Steps.

Open Suunto at least once a day so it can push.

1. 1
   Update Zepp and sync the watch.
2. 2
   Open Zepp → Profile → Add accounts (sometimes 3rd-party account linking) → Apple Health.
3. 3
   Allow Steps.

Older Xiaomi bands use Zepp Life (formerly Mi Fit). Newer ones may use Mi Fitness.

1. 1
   Update the companion app and sync the band.
2. 2
   Find Apple Health under Profile / Settings / Add accounts.
3. 3
   Allow Steps.

Then confirm Zepp Life or Mi Fitness appears under Health → Steps → Data Sources & Access.

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and newer (including Watch 7 and Watch Ultra) - Samsung says these watches need Google Play services and are not compatible with iPhone. Older Tizen models (Watch3, Active2, and similar) can pair, but watch steps often never reach Apple Health. We cannot fix that.
• Huawei / Honor - Huawei Health does not reliably write steps to Apple Health.
• Legacy Fitbit app - no Health write. Use Google Health 5.05+ instead.

If Apple Health appears in your companion app after an update, use the same pattern: allow Steps write, then confirm the app in Health → Steps → Data Sources & Access.

1. 1
   Walk for a few minutes with the watch on.
2. 2
   Open the manufacturer’s app and wait until that app shows the new steps. (Apple Watch: check the Activity rings or Health.)
3. 3
   Open Health → Search → Steps → Show All Data. You should see a new row from that companion app (or Apple Watch).
4. 4
   Open Steps & Beasts and wait a minute.

If step 2 works and step 3 does not, the manufacturer is not writing. That is their setting, not ours.

If step 3 works and Steps & Beasts still shows only iPhone steps, write to malte@stepsandbeasts.app and say which source Health lists.

Work down this list:

1. 1
   The companion app itself shows the walk. If it does not, fix pairing and Bluetooth first.
2. 2
   Health → profile → Apps → companion app → Steps is on (write).
3. 3
   Health → profile → Apps → Steps & Beasts → Steps is on (read).
4. 4
   Health → Steps → Data Sources & Access: the watch’s app is listed, and it is high enough in the order.
5. 5
   iPhone Settings → Privacy & Security → Motion & Fitness → Fitness Tracking is on (needed for the phone sensor and for Apple Watch).
6. 6
   Open the companion app after a walk. Many apps only push to Apple Health when you open them.
7. 7
   Unlock the iPhone. Health data is protected while the device is locked; some reads wait until you unlock.

Email malte@stepsandbeasts.app. One person reads it.

Please include:

• iPhone model and iOS version
• Watch or tracker model
• Whether Health → Steps → Show All Data lists the companion app (yes / no)
• A screenshot of that screen helps