We recently heard that some Apple Watch users who have upgraded to the new watchOS 7 software were having issues with GPS data on their devices. This problem has been affecting the accuracy of location tracking, which is crucial for activities like running, cycling, and other outdoor exercises. Users have reported that their workouts are not being accurately recorded, leading to frustration and inconvenience.
Apple’s Proposed Solution
Apple has now released instructions on how you can possibly fix this issue on your device, although it will involve you wiping and restoring your Apple Watch and iPhone. This process is somewhat time-consuming but has been found to be effective for many users experiencing these GPS issues.
In order to fix the issues, you will need to unpair your Apple Watch from your iPhone and then back up both your iPhone and your Apple Watch. Here are the detailed steps:
1. Unpair Your Apple Watch: Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, go to the “My Watch” tab, and tap on your watch at the top of the screen. Tap the “i” icon next to the watch you want to unpair, then tap “Unpair Apple Watch.” Confirm your decision.
2. Back Up Your Devices: Ensure that both your iPhone and Apple Watch are backed up. For the iPhone, you can do this via iCloud or iTunes. For the Apple Watch, the backup is automatically created when you unpair it from your iPhone.
3. Wipe Your Devices: Go to Settings on your iPhone, tap “General,” then “Reset,” and choose “Erase All Content and Settings.” For the Apple Watch, go to Settings, tap “General,” then “Reset,” and choose “Erase All Content and Settings.”
4. Restore from Backup: Once both devices are wiped, restore your iPhone from the backup you created earlier. After your iPhone is restored, open the Apple Watch app and pair your Apple Watch again. During the setup process, choose to restore your Apple Watch from its backup.
Once this is done, you can then pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone, and the issue should be resolved. This method has been reported to fix the GPS issues for many users, restoring the accuracy of location tracking and workout data.
Additional Tips and Considerations
While the above steps should resolve the GPS issues for most users, there are a few additional tips and considerations to keep in mind:
– Ensure Software is Up to Date: Make sure both your iPhone and Apple Watch are running the latest versions of their respective operating systems. Apple frequently releases updates that include bug fixes and performance improvements.
– Check Location Services: Ensure that Location Services are enabled on your iPhone. Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and make sure it is turned on. Also, check that the Apple Watch Workout app has permission to use your location.
– Reset Network Settings: If you continue to experience issues, you might want to try resetting your network settings. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This can sometimes resolve connectivity issues that might be affecting GPS accuracy.
– Contact Apple Support: If none of the above solutions work, it may be worth contacting Apple Support for further assistance. They can provide additional troubleshooting steps or determine if there is a hardware issue with your device.
You can find out full instructions on how to do this over at Apple’s website at the link below. Hopefully, this should resolve the issue for many users and allow them to enjoy the full functionality of their Apple Watch once again.
Source: MacRumors
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