Strava Launches Apple Watch App With GPS Support For Series 2 Owners

Popular running app Strava has been updated with support for the Apple Watch Series 2, enabling runners to use Strava on their wrist and leave their iPhone at home.

The new support in version 5.13.0 makes full use of the built-in GPS found in the second-generation Apple Watch, meaning users of the app no longer have to be tethered to iOS to track their workouts. Strava Head of Integration Mateo Ortega said the company saw this as just a "first step" in its plans for supporting the Apple Watch 2.

apple watch 980x420

Research and athlete feedback often drives new Strava features and integrations. We're excited to add to our growing list of compatible devices, and see this as the first step in providing our athletes an excellent Strava experience on the Apple Watch Series 2. Our athletes can look forward to continued updates as we strive to provide the best Watch experience possible.

Users can expect Strava to keep track of a series of metrics which are displayed on their wrist, including heart rate, time, distance, pace, and running speed.

Strava joins a small number of apps that support GPS functionality on the Apple Watch Series 2, which includes the likes of Runkeeper and Nike+ Run Club. Strava users simply need to update their iOS app for the changes to take effect.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Tag: Strava
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

When Will Apple Release iOS 26.2?

Monday December 1, 2025 4:37 pm PST by
We're getting closer to the launch of the final major iOS update of the year, with Apple set to release iOS 26.2 in December. We've had three betas so far and are expecting a fourth beta or a release candidate this week, so a launch could follow as soon as next week. Past Launch Dates Apple's past iOS x.2 updates from the last few years have all happened right around the middle of the...
Sad Siri Feature

Apple AI Chief John Giannandrea Retiring After Siri Delays

Monday December 1, 2025 2:16 pm PST by
Apple AI chief John Giannandrea is stepping down from his position and retiring in spring 2026, Apple announced today. Giannandrea will serve as an advisor between now and 2026, with former Microsoft AI researcher Amar Subramanya set to take over as vice president of AI. Subramanya will report to Apple engineering chief Craig Federighi, and will lead Apple Foundation Models, ML research, and ...
Netflix Smaller 4

Netflix Kills Casting From Its Mobile App to Most Modern TVs

Monday December 1, 2025 4:36 am PST by
Netflix has quietly removed the ability to cast content from its mobile apps to most modern TVs and streaming devices, including newer Chromecast models and the Google TV Streamer. The change was first spotted by users on Reddit and confirmed in an updated Netflix support page (via Android Authority), which now states that the streaming service no longer supports casting from mobile devices...
Cyber Week Deals 2025

Best Cyber Week Apple Deals Include Big Discounts on AirPods, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 30, 2025 7:33 am PST by
Cyber Week is here, and you can find popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more at all-time low prices. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Specifically,...
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
studio display purple february

M5 iPad Pro Could Hint at New Studio Display Feature

Sunday November 30, 2025 10:30 am PST by
The updated specs of the M5 iPad Pro may point toward a major new feature for Apple's next-generation Studio Display expected in early 2026. Apple's latest iPad Pro debuted last month and contains one display-related change that stands out: it can now drive external monitors at up to 120Hz with Adaptive Sync. The feature should deliver lower latency, smoother motion, and fewer visual...
Touchscreen MacBook Feature

Here Are the Four MacBooks Apple Is Expected to Launch Next Year

Monday December 1, 2025 5:00 am PST by
2026 could be a bumper year for Apple's Mac lineup, with the company expected to announce as many as four separate MacBook launches. Rumors suggest Apple will court both ends of the consumer spectrum, with more affordable options for students and feature-rich premium lines for users that seek the highest specifications from a laptop. Below is a breakdown of what we're expecting over the next ...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
iOS 26

What to Expect From Apple This December: iOS 26.3 Beta, Replay 2025, and More

Monday December 1, 2025 8:40 am PST by
The calendar has turned to December, and the quieter year-end holiday season is now upon us. Nevertheless, we can still expect a few things from Apple this month. Apple previously announced that iOS 26.2 will be released to the general public in December, and we can expect corresponding updates to be released as well, including iPadOS 26.2, macOS 26.2, watchOS 26.2, tvOS 26.2, and visionOS...
apple india

India Orders Apple to Preinstall Government Security App on All iPhones

Monday December 1, 2025 11:23 am PST by
India is requiring smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung to preload devices sold in the country with a state-owned cyber security app that can't be deleted, reports Reuters. The Department of Communications in India is giving smartphone companies 90 days to begin preinstalling the Sanchar Saathi government app on all new devices that are sold. It has also requested that manufacturers push ...

Top Rated Comments

devfarce Avatar
115 months ago
Yes! Now I can 'consider' the Apple Watch. I still find my Garmin watch far more useful for physical activities.
I ran with the app yesterday and I'd say don't ditch your Garmin yet. First of all, the data provided by strava is very basic. Pace information is all over the place. People love to blame this on "GPS" in the watch but it's 100% algorithm in the app. The Apple Watch has the power to provide amazingly accurate pace based on combined stride and GPS but nobody has done the work or research to properly implement including Apple, strava, runkeeper, etc. Distance is only shown as x.x and not down to 100ths x.xx as in many other watches. No mileage alerts, no customizable workouts or display info. I have a TomTom runner and new strava has nothing on it, so I've been running with two watches for a while now and while I feel like a nerd, I consider myself to be testing the system for my own confidence.

I love strava and the social network they've created but as for now, the Apple watch cannot replace a Garmin for a serious runner. In time I believe it will be the best option but that is many months out. It's sad to see that it has taken so long for any real progress on GPS apps in these devices.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DhobiWanKenobi Avatar
115 months ago
For me, this is the app I've been waiting for to make the watch purchase worthwhile. I better get deciding which model I want...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannymcg Avatar
115 months ago
I'd like them to fix the bug that keeps duplicating all activities in the activity app. It's utterly ridiculous.
[doublepost=1487762040][/doublepost]
Have they solved the duplicate entry issues with the health app yet? I use Strava on iPhone but switched off the health app integration for that reason.
Almost certainly not. It's infuriating.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fall Under Cerulean Kites Avatar
115 months ago
I’ve been looking forward to trying this app for some time now. The Nike App has disapointed me several times by losing my runs / gps tracks about 30% of the time. The Nike app has definitely gotten better in this respect, however Nike Run Club still locks up your data and does not allow for any exporting to other apps and services. I’ve used RunGap for exporting from Nike Run Club, but RunGap has discontinued support for this due to Nike’s continued blocking of data access methods. This makes Nike a complete non-starter for me.

I have hopes that the Apple Watch 2 platform is actually reliable and accurate, and that any defficiencies in the new Strava AW2 app can be addressed. It would be nice to have a true replacement for my Garmin for easy training days.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
beanbaguk Avatar
115 months ago
For me, this is the app I've been waiting for to make the watch purchase worthwhile. I better get deciding which model I want...
Many of you know I think the Apple Watch is a waste of time but if this app is as good as they say it is, it could be a turning point.

Mind. They still have to sort out the ugliness, battery, and price.

Still....getting there albeit very slowly...
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Grasbak Avatar
115 months ago
Have they solved the duplicate entry issues with the health app yet? I use Strava on iPhone but switched off the health app integration for that reason.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)