Apple Watch Series 9 - Heart Rate Monitoring During Some Workouts

I have an Apple Watch Series 9. When I start an exercise like cycling or rowing, I have no issues with tracking my heart rate. If I start an exercise like paddling, outdoor walking, or just Other, my heart rate doesn't continuously track (you can see it trying but not succeeding). Is there a setting that controls this or is this just a bug in the watch?

Posted on Dec 30, 2023 08:16 AM

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Posted on Feb 27, 2024 05:51 PM

I upgraded from a series 5 to a series 9…and am disappointed. The heart rate sensor on my 5 was good and I could do interval training with it. The 9 doesn’t give continuous reads and is useless for my workouts. It gets stuck, just thinking about maybe giving me a measurement. In addition, Apple disabled the oxygen sensor and no one at the store mentioned that when I purchased it. I only upgraded bc the speaker went out in my 5 and I wanted the oxygen sensor. The double finger tap looked cool for the 9 too, but that only works maybe 25% of the time. I also get the same nickel allergy reaction with the 9 as I did the 5. Had hoped they would improve their materials, but no such luck. I can’t help but feel ripped off purchasing new tech that isn’t even as good as the old.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 27, 2024 05:51 PM in response to Stan_B3

I upgraded from a series 5 to a series 9…and am disappointed. The heart rate sensor on my 5 was good and I could do interval training with it. The 9 doesn’t give continuous reads and is useless for my workouts. It gets stuck, just thinking about maybe giving me a measurement. In addition, Apple disabled the oxygen sensor and no one at the store mentioned that when I purchased it. I only upgraded bc the speaker went out in my 5 and I wanted the oxygen sensor. The double finger tap looked cool for the 9 too, but that only works maybe 25% of the time. I also get the same nickel allergy reaction with the 9 as I did the 5. Had hoped they would improve their materials, but no such luck. I can’t help but feel ripped off purchasing new tech that isn’t even as good as the old.

Dec 30, 2023 09:52 AM in response to Stan_B3

I have had similar issue with Heart Rate monitoring during an activity and especially during Hiking / Walking and Cycling. I have had this issue (on and off) since Apple Watch Series 5, Series 7 and now in Apple Watch Ultra 2.


I do not believe that it is a bug because it tends to work most of the time but skips under certain conditions. This could be from due to tightness of the band around my wrist, humidity outside, sweat under the base of the Apple Watch etc.


Axel F.

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Apple Watch Series 9 - Heart Rate Monitoring During Some Workouts

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