Troubleshooting missing Apple Watch activity data

Why isn't my Apple Watch activity syncing to Paceline?

If your Apple Watch activity isn't appearing in Paceline, don't worry. It's usually a simple timing, permissions, or connection issue. This guide walks through what's normal, a few quick fixes, and deeper troubleshooting if you need it.

What to expect

Small differences between the Apple Health app and Paceline are normal and don't need any action.

• Paceline uses Apple Health's data as-is. Steps, elevated heart rate (eHR) minutes, sleep, and workouts come straight from Apple Health. We don't recalculate or adjust them, so a gap of a few steps or a minute usually comes from rounding or timing on Apple Health's side.
• Your data may update after Paceline syncs. The Apple Health app can keep adjusting totals after Paceline has already received them. The next sync usually brings them in line.
• Workouts can take time to arrive. Workouts typically sync to Paceline within the same day, but timing depends on when Apple Health sends the data to us, so a workout may not appear right away.
• Weeks may be counted differently. Paceline weeks run Monday 00:00 → Sunday 23:59 (your local time). Some devices default to Sunday–Saturday, so weekly totals won't match unless you update your week start in your device's app settings.
• Not every workout is detected automatically. Check which workouts your device can auto-sense and which need to be manually started.
• Coming back after a break? If you haven't opened Paceline in a while, your first sync will take longer than usual since there's more data to bring over.

Keep your data syncing smoothly

• Keep the Paceline app updated to the latest version
• Keep your Apple Watch paired with your iPhone and Bluetooth ON
• Open the Apple Health app regularly so your latest activity syncs before Paceline pulls it
• Open Paceline at least once a week. The more often you open it, the more reliably we can sync your data and maintain syncing permissions

If a full day of activity or a workout is missing, start with the quick fixes below.

Quick fixes

1. Update your Apple Watch software and iPhone software to the latest versions

2. Confirm the following settings are enabled on your iPhone:

   • Settings → Privacy & Security → Motion & Fitness → Turn Fitness Tracking and Health ON

     Why: This allows Paceline to read your steps and movement data from Apple Health.

   • Settings → Health → Apps → Paceline → Turn On All

     Why: Enabling all categories ensures that Paceline can import complete data.

   • Settings → General → Background App Refresh → Paceline → ON

     Why: Ensures Paceline can update and import your activity data smoothly, even when the app isn't open.

3. Open the Apple Health app and confirm your Apple Watch has synced recent activity

4. Open Paceline and keep it open in the foreground for 3–5 minutes on a strong Wi-Fi or cellular connection (this is important)

5. On the Activity tab, tap and pull down to refresh the data. If your activity appears, you're good to go. If not, continue below

Advanced troubleshooting

1. Delete and reinstall the Paceline app on your phone
2. Re-enable all settings from Quick fixes
3. Make sure your iPhone and Apple Watch are charged to at least 50% battery
4. Reconnect Apple Health to Paceline: Profile → Linked Fitness Devices → Apple Health → tap to Unlink → Re-link → turn on all permissions
5. Open Paceline and let it sit in the foreground for several minutes to complete a sync
6. On the Activity tab, tap and pull down to refresh the data

Still missing data after 24 hours?

A difference of a few steps or minutes doesn't need any action. Contact Paceline Support if:

• A full day of activity is missing
• A workout still isn't showing 24 hours after it should have synced
• Your data hasn't synced within 24 hours of opening Paceline after a long break

Contact us and include:

• The dates where you see the difference
• A screenshot from the Apple Health app for those same dates showing your Exercise Minutes or Workouts

Since we don't have your device in hand, this helps us find where the sync is getting stuck so we can get you back on track.