Steps counted in iPhone 16 Plus doesn't sync with Apple Watch SE 3

I sometimes use only my iphone 16 plus for outdoor running activity and the steps are counted & recorded as usual. Once I'm back home and sync with my SE3 all the steps are gone, i.e watch steps data is taken as primary and sync with the iphone which subsequently override the data on phone. Ultimately I am loosing the steps couted for the day. Any settings need to be changed here to avoid this?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]