Top 6 Ways to Fix Samsung Galaxy Watch Not Tracking Steps

Samsung Galaxy Watch is one of the best alternatives to Apple Watch in the Android camp. Apart from real-time alerts on the wrist, a Galaxy Watch can also track a myriad of activities, including tracking steps, measuring your heart rate and more. However, some users have complained about their Samsung Galaxy Watch not counting steps.

Several factors can affect your Galaxy Watch’s health tracking. The issue can be due to a lack of permissions, outdated apps or OS, corrupt cache, fitting issues, and more. Before we go over troubleshooting tricks, go over the routine below for glitch-free step tracking.  

Things to Consider for Accurate Steps Tracking

• Galaxy Watch may not count steps when there is no hand movement in the exercise. For instance, when you are moving a lawn mower or heading for a short walk with a stroller, the Galaxy Watch won’t count steps as your hands are steady.
• You should walk naturally without glancing over your smartwatch all the time. You shouldn’t lift your elbows and shoulders often as they may fiddle with the accelerometer.
• Your Galaxy Watch only starts counting steps when it detects at least 10 continuous steps. It won’t start counting steps immediately.
• Using a step tracker in a train or moving bus may affect the count due to vehicular vibrations.
• You should give Galaxy Watch some time before checking the latest steps counter. It may take a while to update your steps.
• The Samsung Galaxy Watch may not track your steps accurately if you have tattoos or long hair on your arms.
• You should also clean your smartwatch regularly. Dust and debris on your Galaxy Watch may come in the way of the sensors sensors picking up relevant information during your evening walk.  

With the basics out of the way, try tracking steps on your Galaxy Watch again. Continue reading if your Galaxy Watch is still not tracking steps.

1. Check Your Galaxy Watch Fit

Your Galaxy Watch has several sensors that need to make close contact with your skin for accurate tracking. As such, a loose fit can cause inaccurate step tracking on your Galaxy Watch. You should ensure a proper fit for your Galaxy Watch and try tracking steps again.

2. Reboot Samsung Galaxy Watch

Before we go over advanced tricks, make sure to reboot your Samsung Galaxy Watch once. It’s a handy trick to troubleshoot common Galaxy Watch glitches in no time.

Step 1: Press and hold the Back and Home keys (Power key) simultaneously for around seven seconds until the watch shows the ‘Rebooting’ message.

Step 2: Once your watch restarts, try tracking your steps again.

3. Set Your Watch to Track Steps

If you have a new Samsung Galaxy Watch, make sure to follow the steps below to set it up for tracking.

Step 1: Press the Home button to open the Apps screen.

Step 2: Tap Samsung Health and open the Steps tile.

Step 3: Add steps and put the tile on the home screen.

3. Clear Samsung Health Cache

If Samsung Health collects a corrupt cache, you may run into errors with fitness tracking. You should clear the Samsung Health cache using the steps below.

Step 1: Open Galaxy Watch Settings and scroll to the Apps menu.

Step 2: Scroll to Samsung Health.

Step 3: Tap Clear Cache.

4. Allow Samsung Health to Access Galaxy Watch Sensors

You need to give Samsung Health the required permission to access the Watch sensors. Use the steps below if you haven’t enabled the permissions.

Step 1: Launch Samsung Health on your Galaxy Watch (refer to the steps above).

Step 2: Open Settings.

Step 3: Tap ‘Share Data with Devices and Services’.

Step 4: Tap Health Platform and allow required permissions.  

5. Update System Software

Samsung regularly releases system updates to improve your Galaxy Watch with new features and bug fixes. You should update Galaxy Watch to the latest version to fix inaccurate step tracking.

Step 1: Launch Samsung Watch Settings and scroll to Software Update.

Step 2: Download and install the latest OS version.

6. Reset Samsung Watch

If none of the tricks work, you should try resetting your Samsung Watch and setting it up from scratch.

Step 1: Open Samsung Watch Settings and scroll to General.

Step 2: Select Reset.

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the job.

Start Your Fitness Journey

Galaxy Watch not tracking steps can spoil your smartwatch experience. Make sure to follow the tips above and keep our guidelines in mind for precise health tracking on your Galaxy Watch. While you are at it, let us know the trick that worked for you in the comments below.