New Ultra watch doesn't record open swim distance

The distance is recorded when walking and running, but not for open swim. It is tracking because I get a map on the swim, but it always reads 0 yd. Any ideas?

Apple Watch Ultra

Posted on Jun 19, 2023 08:26 AM

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4 replies

Jun 20, 2023 04:50 PM in response to Rockstar_310

Thanks for reaching out Rockstar_310,


It sounds like you're trying to track the distance when you're swimming. We can help.


A great resource you can check out is Workout types on Apple Watch, which says the following:


Swimming

With Apple Watch Series 2 or later, you can choose Pool Swim or Open Water Swim.* When the workout starts, the screen automatically locks to prevent accidental taps from water droplets. Learn how to swim with your Apple Watch and view your workout history, including auto sets and splits.
Here's how your Apple Watch measures each workout: 
* Pool Swim: When you start a workout, be sure to accurately set the pool length to help your Apple Watch measure laps and distance. GPS isn't used during a Pool Swim, and water might prevent a heart-rate measurement, but calories, laps, and distance will still be tracked using the built-in accelerometer.
* Open Water Swim: GPS will only provide distance when you do a freestyle stroke. Water might prevent a heart-rate measurement, but calories will still be tracked using the built-in accelerometer.



Hope that helps.


Take care.

Jun 22, 2023 07:56 AM in response to AdvisorMP

Thanks for your reply, AdvisorMP, though I had already read that info. What confuses me is that I was swimming freestyle in the ocean and the distance was still not recorded. As I mentioned, the watch mapped the course I did, so the GPS worked, but it didn't clock the distance.


Do you have more specific advise to give like a setting I need to change or to bring it in because something is wrong?

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New Ultra watch doesn't record open swim distance

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