Apple Watch's Annual New Year's Activity Challenge Revealed - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Watch's Annual New Year's Activity Challenge Revealed

Apple Watch users will once again be able to complete an Activity Challenge for New Year's. Those who close all three of their stand/roll, exercise, and move rings for seven days in a row at any point in January will earn a special award in the Fitness app and custom animated stickers that can be used in the Messages and FaceTime apps.

Fitness Activity Rings
"Start 2023 off right," the Activity Challenge will say. "Earn this award by closing all three rings for seven days in a row in January."

The annual "Ring in the New Year's" challenge is one of many Activity Challenges that the Apple Watch offers throughout the year, with other challenges made available for Earth Day, Heart Month, International Dance Day, Veterans Day, and more.

We have shared an early look at the New Year's stickers below.

new year 2023 1
new year 2023 5
new year 2023 4
new year 2023 3
new year 2023 2

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 12
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

Surprise and Shine Live Coverage Article

Apple Event Live Blog: iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, and More

Wednesday September 9, 2026 9:10 am PDT by
Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event kicks off today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, where we're expecting to see the foldable iPhone Duo, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models, new AirPods 5 earphones, and perhaps some other announcements. Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company's TV app across various platforms. We...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium

New Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 Features Revealed

Sunday August 30, 2026 7:54 am PDT by
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today further outlined what to expect from the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 set to be unveiled on September 9. While it was initially rumored that Touch ID may be coming to the Apple Watch this year, Gurman reiterated that he does not expect the Series 12 or Ultra 4 to have any major design changes compared to the current Series 11 and Ultra 3 models. ...
apple surprise and shine event

Apple Event Today: iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo Cheat Sheet

Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:24 am PDT by
Apple's biggest event of the year is almost here, and all eyes are on Cupertino. With the first foldable iPhone expected to headline Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event on Wednesday, September 9, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, the rumor mill has been running full throttle, fuelled by the biggest single design change in the life of the iPhone. To get you up to speed, here's a quick reference...

Top Rated Comments

sjsharksfan12 Avatar
49 months ago

I don't think I've ever closed my activity rings in 4 years
And I get anxious if I don't close my rings. Different strokes indeed.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
49 months ago
The 7-days-in-a-row kind of goal isn’t bad at all. I’m an active runner but am carefully planning a day or two a week without running, so that the body can recover. It’s important of course - nobody wants injuries caused by overtraining.
But, recovery doesn’t mean I’d spend the day watching Netflix 😀 A swift 30 minutes walk isn’t really “exercising”, is it… but it does close the Exercise ring without any extra effort, while helping also with the Activity ring quite nicely. Yeah, it means forcing myself out into the cold (and the timing - a January challenge - is quite mean to us in the Northern hemisphere 🥶), but it feels pretty good, all the fresh air etc. Active recovery FTW! 😃
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NufSaid Avatar
49 months ago
Why these stupid little awards get me motivated but they do.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
japanime Avatar
49 months ago

Since Sunday is my rest day, any “seven days in a row“ challenge is a non-starter.
That's what the "Mind & Body" workout is for. A day of rest, yet it still allows you to close your rings.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
49 months ago

Agreed. The 7 days a week or “every day this month” challenges should not exist. Not only rest day is important, but there are other reasons (including religious customs).
It’s not mandatory to join all challenges. Why shouldn’t others have it just because you have some kind of religion?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WWPD Avatar
49 months ago
I'll try closing the last one...that's a donut eating challenge, right?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)