Some Apple Watch Users Report Missing GPS Data in watchOS 7

A number of Apple Watch owners who have updated to watchOS 7 are reporting an issue involving missing GPS mapping data after recording exercise in Apple's wrist-based Workout app.

watchOS7 hands on feature2
Several MacRumors readers have been in touch to highlight the problem, which was first noted in a thread on Apple's support communities by a user who upgraded their iPhone XS Max to iOS 14 and Apple Watch Series 4 to watchOS 7.

Later, I went for a walk. I used the Outdoor Walk activity on my Watch, but this time didn't take my iPhone. When I returned, and attempted to upload the activity to Strava, I received a warning that no GPS/route data was present. I checked the Fitness and Health apps, and sure enough, there was no route on the map - only the starting point.

I spoke to someone at Apple Support and they suggested I turned off/back on a couple of related privacy settings. I have since tried another Outdoor Walk activity, without the phone present, and the problem persists - no GPS/route data.

My wife also tried the same this evening, after upgrading her iPhone X and S4 Watch too. She had the same results - i.e. with just the Watch, no GPS/route information was saved with the activity.

The thread currently runs 16 pages and includes multiple users reporting similar issues with tracking GPS data on Apple Watch Series 3, 4, and 5 models.

In the majority of cases, users record a workout on their watch while leaving their iPhone at home, but when they later look at the Activity app it only shows the workout's starting point on the GPS map, and nothing else. Some users are also reporting sync issues with Strava and problems with additional workout stats, including heart rate information.

It's not clear what's causing the problems, but Apple is apparently aware of them, so hopefully a solution is on the way in watchOS 7.1, the beta of which went out to developers last week.

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Top Rated Comments

ghanwani Avatar
63 months ago
Go to:
Settings -> Apple ID -> Find My -> Find my missing GPS data

(haha)
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SW3029 Avatar
63 months ago
Not only does watchOS 7 have GPS data problems, it also reduces your Resting Energy by up to 70%. Under watchOS 6 my Resting Energy averaged about 2400 calories a day. Under watchOS 7 it averages about 800 calories a day, which implies I'm in a coma and near death but just don't know it.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
markfc Avatar
63 months ago
Yes, I have the same issue, no heart rate data, no gps tracking and calorie counting is all to pot. Battery life is terrible on iPhone XS Max. I workout first thing with 100% battery. After an hour it's now 68% where as I usually leave the gym with 90-92% battery.

This is the most garbage release Apple has ever done.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jack Taylor Avatar
63 months ago
Both the GPS and severe battery drain issues on watchOS 7 were fixed for me simply by in-pairing and re-pairing my watch. Both issues resolved themselves immediately after as noted in many of the support groups
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Biglethal69 Avatar
63 months ago
How the hell can we go through so many betas and there seem to be more bugs then what there was in the betas. Shame on you Apple.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
indychris Avatar
63 months ago

It’s generally a good idea not to install the n.0 version of any operating system.
I see this statement all the time. It's no different than those who say that people should never buy the first model year of a redesigned auto, etc.

All one has to do is ask, "What if everyone followed that recommendation?"
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)