Two devices, one place
Why don't my step counts match on iPhone, Apple Watch and Oura?
Updated · 3 min read
- Steps
- Cardio
- Heart
- Sleep
Short answer
Each device counts steps its own way. In Health, drag the device you want used first to the top Browse then Activity then Steps then Data Sources & Access.
Your iPhone, Apple Watch and Oura ring each count steps with their own sensors and methods. Apple Health gives priority to the source at the top of its ranked list of step sources, and you can drag the device that you want used first to the top.
How each device counts steps
| Device | How it counts | Writes steps to Health |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | Built-in sensors capture the number of steps you take. | Automatically |
| Apple Watch | Apple says the Activity app relies on arm motion and an accelerometer to track movement. | Automatically |
| Oura | A 3D accelerometer in the ring tracks movement in all directions. Oura says it can find step patterns in a window as short as 30 seconds. | When you turn on Connect to Health in the Oura app, under Data sharing then Apple Health |
Steps
- Open the Health app on your iPhone. Tap Browse then Activity then Steps.
Step 1
In the Health app
- Browse
- Activity
- Steps
- Scroll down and tap Data Sources & Access: the list of apps and devices that write steps to Health, with the source that takes priority at the top.
- Tap Edit. Touch and hold the Change Order button, the icon next to the device that you want Health to use first. Drag the device to the top of the list. Tap Done.
- If steps still count twice after step 3, stop Oura from writing steps. In the Health app, tap the Profile button, your picture in the upper-right corner. Under Privacy, tap Apps. Then tap Oura. Under Allow "Oura" to Write, turn off Steps.
Step 3 keeps each source in the list and changes only which one takes priority. Oura gives step 4 as its fix when double counting persists. After step 4, Health gets no steps from Oura. Oura recommends that you analyze your data through one device instead of comparing devices.
If it still doesn't work
- Health shows no steps from your Apple Watch
In the Health app, tap the Profile button. Then tap Devices then your Apple Watch then Privacy Settings. Turn on Fitness Tracking.
- A new device moved to the top
Apple lists new apps and devices at the top automatically, above your iPhone. Set your order again, as in step 3.
- Your Apple Watch is not on the top of your wrist
Wear the watch on the top of your wrist. Apple says the sensors work only there.
- The sensor bumps of your Oura ring are not on the palm side of your finger
Turn the ring so that its sensor bumps sit on the palm side of your finger. Oura says this gives more accurate activity tracking.
Why the totals differ
Oura says that other wearables or apps may show different step estimates because they use different methods of categorizing steps. Many trackers set a different threshold for what counts as activity, and others count all movement as steps.
Questions
Does Apple Health add my Apple Watch and Oura steps together?
They can. Oura says your steps can be double counted when you wear more than one fitness device at the same time. Oura says that setting Oura as the priority source for steps in Apple Health makes this less likely. To set the priority source, follow step 3.
Do Oura steps count toward the Stand ring?
No. The Stand ring is the blue Activity ring that counts the hours in which you stood and moved for at least 1 minute. Oura says its steps do not move the Stand ring, because of a limitation from Apple.
Where do I see my Apple Watch's own step total?
Open the Activity app on your Apple Watch and turn the Digital Crown. Apple says it scrolls through your current totals, which include your total steps.
Sources
- 1Manage Health data on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch, Apple Supportsupport.apple.com (opens in a new tab)
- 2Intro to Health data on iPhone, Apple Supportsupport.apple.com (opens in a new tab)
- 3stepCount, Apple Developer Documentationdeveloper.apple.com (opens in a new tab)
- 4Get the most accurate measurements using your Apple Watch, Apple Supportsupport.apple.com (opens in a new tab)
- 5Track daily activity with Apple Watch, Apple Supportsupport.apple.com (opens in a new tab)
- 6Apple Health Integration, Oura Helpsupport.ouraring.com (opens in a new tab)
- 7How Oura Measures Steps & Activity, Oura Helpsupport.ouraring.com (opens in a new tab)