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.

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.

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Tag: Strava

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Top Rated Comments

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devfarce

31 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.

Rating: 5 Votes

DhobiWanKenobi

31 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...

Rating: 2 Votes

jdmagoo1

31 months ago

Have they solved the inaccurate HR data and calorie count yet? I tested this app multiple times and it was nowhere near as accurate as the normal Apple app or the Cyclemeter app. Time for a revisit

Rating: 1 Votes

66gonzo

31 months ago

Spot on! The watch app was actually worse than the NRC Nike app.

Rating: 1 Votes

Grasbak

31 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.

Rating: 1 Votes

Fall Under Cerulean Kites

31 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.

Rating: 1 Votes

dannymcg

31 months ago

I'd like them to fix the bug that keeps duplicating all activities in the activity app. It's utterly ridiculous.
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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.

Rating: 1 Votes

beanbaguk

31 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...

Rating: 1 Votes

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