Apple watch ultra 2 shortcuts dont work

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Level 1

4 points

Apple watch ultra 2 shortcuts dont work

I was finally persuaded to get an Apple Watch Ultra 2 and iPhone 16 Pro Max after years of using Android. The main draw was that Apple tech just works...well I've had both for 2 weeks and have so many bugs it's really not worth the money spent and I wish I'd stayed with Samsung.

The latest issue is that I want my watch just to show the steps I've taken. Apple watch faces don't seem to do this, so I thought I'd set up the Action Button (another reason I chose the watch because of the programable button) to access the Fitness App and step view. I set this up using Shortcuts on the iPhone with the "Show on Apple Watch" ticked on and the iCloud sync enabled. But when I activate the Action Button, the app and view pop up on the iPhone and not the watch.

I have tried everything to enable it but without success.

There's no point in advertising a programmable Action Button when it can't be programmed!.

Any ideas?

Apple Watch Ultra 2, watchOS 11

Posted on May 31, 2025 12:11 AM

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Answer 1

Ingo2711

Level 9

77,931 points

Jun 5, 2025 11:53 PM in response to JanDJury

Did you already have a look at the Apple Watch User Guide about which Watch faces support which complications?

Apple Watch faces and their features - Apple Support

I'm using the Activity Watch face on my Ultra 2, tapping on the rings and turning the Digital Crown will show my actual step count.

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Answer 2

Jun 5, 2025 8:06 AM in response to JanDJury

Unfortunately, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 doesn’t support launching apps directly on the watch via Shortcuts, even if “Show on Apple Watch” is enabled. When you trigger the Action Button, the shortcut opens on the iPhone, because most shortcuts run on the phone. This is a system limitation, not a setup mistake. The best workaround is to use native watch face complications, like those from the Pedometer++ app or another third-party step tracker that offers its own complication for the watch

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Answer 3

JanDJury Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 5, 2025 6:22 PM in response to Margaret_1

Thanks for the reply. It is somewhat disappointing and confusing that there is a setting to "Show on watch" but that doesn't work.

Nevertheless I managed to get the required action working by setting up the button to open the Activities App. Then if you scroll to the steps page and exit out, the next time you press the action button it takes you straight to the steps page. The setting is persistent even after power cycle.

So I have got the "one press to view steps" action I wanted.

Next question are there any watch faces where steps are shown?

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Apple watch ultra 2 shortcuts dont work

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