Comprehensive Guide to Runkeeper on Apple Watch

Connecting your Apple Watch to Runkeeper

We now have an onboarding process to help users get going and tracking with their Apple Watch! The setup includes several steps to ensure that Runkeeper has all of the necessary permissions to track activities properly.

1. Download the Runkeeper App on your Apple Watch. To do this, go to the App Store on your Watch and search "Runkeeper."

2. Upon opening the Runkeeper App on your Apple Watch, you will see a screen indicating to, "Please set up your Apple Watch from the Runkeeper app on your mobile phone."

3. Login to the Runkeeper App on your iPhone. Go to the me tab --> settings gear --> Apps and Devices.

4. Select Apple Watch and hit the Connect to Health Button. 

5. Select Turn on All to give Runkeeper access to all your Health Data OR individually select the metrics you want Runkeeper to have access to. Then hit Allow in the top right corner. 

6. Select "OK" to finalize the connection.

**If for any reason you are still not able to track activities on the Apple Watch App using Runkeeper, go to your iPhone's settings and select the Runkeeper App from your list of Apps. From here, you can verify your Location Services, Motion & Fitness, Notifications, Health App, and Date of Birth (date of birth is needed in order to calculate HR zones while tracking)

Tracking an Activity

From the Watch (standalone, without the phone)

Starting an activity from the Watch will result in a standalone trip that uses only the Watch, and will save a map using your Watch’s GPS hardware capability (if you do not have a Series 2 or newer, you can still track but will not receive a map or distance/average pace). Even if you’re within Bluetooth range of your phone, Runkeeper on your phone will not track an activity if it was started from the Watch. 

When you open the app on your watch, you'll be greeted with the start screen (Play Button Icon) where you can begin your activity. If you want to select a new activity type, or further customize your trip, just swipe right on the watch face.

Note: Elevation data for standalone trips is now available for our Series 3 users as of version 10.0!

Standalone Watch Activity Settings

• Activity Type
  On the menu screen, tap on Run (default activity type) and you'll be able to tap through the activity type options: you can select Run, Walk, Cycle, or Other.
  
• Workout
  To select a workout, tap “Workout” and select the training plan or custom workout you want to track. All of your custom workouts created on the phone will sync to the Watch. If you are enrolled in a training plan, your watch will display the next incomplete workout from that plan. Note: My First 5K and Win the Long Run are not available when using the Apple Watch app in Standalone Mode.
• Countdown timer
  Turning on the countdown timer will result in a 3-second countdown delay after you press “Start” before the app starts tracking. If you’d prefer for the app to track the moment you press the Start button, just toggle this off!

Viewing your stats while tracking

While tracking, you can swipe through several different screens to view your stats. The default screen will show duration, distance, current pace, and heart rate. Swipe left to view your current heart rate zone, and swipe left again to view your split times.

Note: You can choose between current pace and average pace in your settings before you start.

Completing An Activity

Once you've finished your activity, swipe right and press the pause button. If you decide to continue tracking, simply hit the resume button. However, if you are indeed done, tap the Finish button. You'll then see an Overview of your activity. Scroll down and click Save, and you'll be all set!

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Notes:

• Interval feedback for selected workouts will be given in the form of a haptic vibration (we upped the strength so it should now be easier to feel!).
• When you've finished your activity and save it on your Apple Watch it will not sync to our servers until you've opened the Runkeeper app on your iPhone.
• Apple Watch Standalone trips do not produce elevation, pace, cadence, or split graphs on the website. This information is only available in the app.
• If you're a Runkeeper Go user and using Live Tracking, this feature is not available in Standalone Mode on the Apple Watch. You'll want to start your Live Tracking trip from the phone app and be sure to take the phone with you.

Tracking with the Watch and phone

To use your Watch as a remote but still track the activity from your phone, start an activity from the phone. Select your settings for audio cues, workout, and activity type from the phone.

If your Watch is connected to your phone in Bluetooth range, the Watch will pick up the same trip and display it on your Watch. You can control the rest of the activity from your Watch (pausing, stopping, etc.).