apple watch series 11 stopped recording workout routes

My apple watch series 11 stopped recording workout routes. I have tried all of this:


Your Apple Watch likely stopped recording your route because of a setting issue with Location Services, a poor GPS signal, or software glitches. To fix this, ensure Location Services are on for both your iPhone and Apple Watch, that you are in an area with good GPS reception, and that the Apple Watch Workout is set to "While Using" the app in your iPhone's settings. If the problem continues, try restarting both devices, checking for software updates, or recalibrating your watch. 

Check and enable settings 

  • Location Services:
    • On your iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and make sure it's toggled on. Also, scroll down to System Services and ensure that "Motion Calibration & Distance" and "Mobile Network Search" are enabled.
    • On your Apple Watch: Go to Settings > Privacy and check that Location Services is turned on.
  • Apple Watch Workout settings:
    • On your iPhone: Open the Watch app, tap "Workout," and check the settings for your specific activity (e.g., "Outdoor Run"). Ensure it's set to "While Using" for Location Services.
  • Permissions:
    • Check your iPhone's settings for the specific app you are using for your workout (e.g., Strava). Make sure the Motion & Fitness permission is enabled. 

Address potential environmental and software issues 

  • GPS signal: If you are in an area with tall buildings or dense tree cover, your GPS signal might be weak, causing tracking to stop. Try waiting a moment before starting your activity to let the GPS acquire a signal.
  • Software updates: Make sure both your Apple Watch and your iPhone are updated to the latest software versions, as this can fix bugs.
  • Restart devices: A simple restart of both your iPhone and Apple Watch can resolve many temporary glitches.
  • Recalibrate your watch: To help the watch calibrate its sensors, go for an outdoor workout with GPS, like a walk or run, and make sure it has a good signal.
  • Check storage: If your watch is full of data, it may not be able to save new GPS files. Check your storage and delete any unnecessary apps or data. 



Nothing worked. I have 40GB of storage unused.

Apple Watch Series 11, watchOS 26

Posted on Nov 4, 2025 4:23 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 4, 2025 9:36 PM

Did you try to unpair the watch and set it up as a new device, without using the latest backup?

This would be the way to rule out a software issue due to defective data from the backup, for example.

Your Health and Fitness data is stored in iCloud and will sync back after that, you will only lose the watch faces you have created.

Unpair and erase your Apple Watch - Apple Support

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 4, 2025 9:36 PM in response to LovesHiking25

Did you try to unpair the watch and set it up as a new device, without using the latest backup?

This would be the way to rule out a software issue due to defective data from the backup, for example.

Your Health and Fitness data is stored in iCloud and will sync back after that, you will only lose the watch faces you have created.

Unpair and erase your Apple Watch - Apple Support

apple watch series 11 stopped recording workout routes

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