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 (Neutral)

Popular Stories

Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature

Apple Announces Special Event in New York, London, and Shanghai on March 4

Monday February 16, 2026 6:05 am PST by
Apple today announced a "special Apple Experience" in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET. Apple invited select members of the media to the event in three major cities around the world. It is simply described as a "special Apple Experience," and there is no further information about what it may entail. The invitation features a 3D Apple logo design...
M3 iPad Air

Apple's Next Two Products Are Coming Soon

Thursday February 12, 2026 11:17 am PST by
Apple plans to release an iPhone 17e and an iPad Air with an M4 chip "in the coming weeks," according to the latest word from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple retail employees say that inventory of the iPhone 16e has basically dried out and the iPad Air is seeing shortages as well," said Gurman. "I've been expecting new versions of both (iPhone 17e and M4 iPad Air) in the coming weeks."...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

Gurman: iPhone 18 Pro Could Be Underwhelming

Monday February 16, 2026 4:24 am PST by
Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models "won't be a big update," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the iPhone 18 Pro models will "represent minor tweaks from last year's iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max." He compared the upgrade to Apple's past practice of appending the letter "S" to its more minor...
Coffee Burgundy and Purple iPhone 18 Pro Mock

Five iPhone 18 Pro Features Revealed in New Report

Friday February 13, 2026 8:43 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still seven months away, an analyst has revealed five new features the devices will allegedly have. Rumored color options for the iPhone 18 Pro models In a research note with investment firm GF Securities on Thursday, analyst Jeff Pu outlined the following upgrades for the iPhone 18 Pro models: Smaller Dynamic Island: It has been rumored...
Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature 1

Apple Event on March 4: Here's What to Expect

Tuesday February 17, 2026 8:08 am PST by
Apple on Monday invited selected journalists and content creators to a "special Apple Experience" on Wednesday, March 4 in New York, London, and Shanghai. At an Apple Experience, attendees are typically given the opportunity to try out Apple's latest hardware or software. Following the launch of Apple Creator Studio last month, for example, some content creators attended an Apple Experience...

Top Rated Comments

117 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)
117 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
117 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
117 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
117 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)
117 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)