Apple Watch activity tracking limitations for disabled users

Steps required: be wearing the watch. So after doing a lot of research it seems that tha apple watch will not track your stands unless you can swing your arms 30-60 times per minute. This seems purposefully prejudiced against disabled people that can only walk with a walker. You can’t swing your arms if you have to hold on to a walker with both arms to be able to walk at all. Seems Apple is actively denigrating disabled people. The iPhone can detect altitude within inches, but Apple Watch can’t tell when we are standing? Something is wrong with this picture and I want to know why Apple is against supporting those of us who are disabled who still are trying to keep moving as best we can despite our disabilities.




[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Apple Watch activity

Apple Watch SE, watchOS 10

Posted on Nov 5, 2025 10:00 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 5, 2025 11:04 PM

Sorry, but the watch uses the built in accelerometer to count your steps or movements. There is no other way to do that. Pushing a stroller or holding the leash while walking the dog will also reduce the step count or not count your stands.

You can let Apple know directly about your thoughts by using the Feedback link:

Feedback - Apple Watch - Apple

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 5, 2025 11:04 PM in response to canderson16

Sorry, but the watch uses the built in accelerometer to count your steps or movements. There is no other way to do that. Pushing a stroller or holding the leash while walking the dog will also reduce the step count or not count your stands.

You can let Apple know directly about your thoughts by using the Feedback link:

Feedback - Apple Watch - Apple

Apple Watch activity tracking limitations for disabled users

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