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Could the Apple Strava phone app use heart rate from Apple Watch?

  • February 26, 2023
  • 46 replies
  • 420 views

Padge
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Would it be possible to use the heart rate sensor from an Apple Watch to sync with a ride recorded on the Strava iPhone app? 

Best answer by Jane

Hello @Padge 

Thanks for posting about this.  The Apple Watch cannot be used as a heart rate sensor for activities recorded on the Strava iPhone App.  In order to upload your Apple Watch recorded heart rate data, you would need to record the activity using your Apple Watch.

You can pair a compatible bluetooth heart rate sensor with your Strava iPhone App if you wish to record with your iPhone.  See more information here on how to do it and what's compatible.  

I hope that's helpful information - please let us know!

 

46 replies

Jane
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  • Strava Alumni
  • Answer
  • February 27, 2023

Hello @Padge 

Thanks for posting about this.  The Apple Watch cannot be used as a heart rate sensor for activities recorded on the Strava iPhone App.  In order to upload your Apple Watch recorded heart rate data, you would need to record the activity using your Apple Watch.

You can pair a compatible bluetooth heart rate sensor with your Strava iPhone App if you wish to record with your iPhone.  See more information here on how to do it and what's compatible.  

I hope that's helpful information - please let us know!

 


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  • Hub Starter
  • May 2, 2023

I appreciate the response. It’s so frustrating that this is not able to work. I want to see the map and stats on my phone while I’m riding but also want my heart rate data included. It sucks to have to wear an additional device when I already have one that collects the data. 😭


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  • Hub Starter
  • May 20, 2023

I wholeheartedly agree MP. While the issue might have its source on either end, I hope Strava will work towards integrating the Apple Watch sensors.


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  • Hub Starter
  • May 22, 2023

From my personal experience, I can confirm that it is possible to use the sensor from the "Apple Watch" to synchronize with a ride recorded on the "Strava" iPhone app. You need to have the "Apple Health" app installed on your phone. When you open the "Apple Health" app, in the upper right corner you have your profile icon. Click on it, go to "Privacy" then "Apps" and finally "Strava". You need to click on the "Turn On All" option. After that the "Strava" app on the "Apple Watch" will display heart rate information in the lower right corner and the recorded data will be displayed in the ride record itself. I hope my advice will be useful to you..


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  • Hub Starter
  • May 27, 2023

I have tried this numerous times, I have all permissions turned on for Strava in the apple health app and it just doesn’t work.  So frustrating….


johnjwall
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  • Hub Rookie
  • May 28, 2023

Yeah, it would be great to have this. I use Adidas Running and it works like that. Somehow the phone app automatically starts the watch app and heart rate data is on both. Useful because the phone can give audio alerts on heart rate zones. 


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  • Hub Starter
  • May 28, 2023

Absolutely agree. Guys from Strava. Are you joking?! Look at Adidas Running. When you have an iPhone app, it can easily take the heartbeat data from Apple Watch in real time. It’s easy to implement it. Fix it finally!


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  • Hub Starter
  • May 31, 2023

Hi

Is there a way we can raise a feature request to be able to record HR from an Apple Watch while using an iPhone to us as an in ride dashboard?

I am a paying subscriber but the lack of this feature is making me question if I should continue to pay for a subscription or move over to Ride With GPS which not only has this feature but also has much better mapping functionality for in ride usage with iPhones including turn by turn navigation. 

I’ve been a Strava subscriber for a while now and have a lot of historic data in Strava and I like the analysis. However it feels like Strava only cares about using Garmin devices for in ride data collection, mapping and dashboards. 

please improve the Apple user experience!


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  • Hub Starter
  • June 7, 2023

I think this implementation is somewhat deficient. Take a look at how Ride With GPS does this – you hit start on the phone and immediately the watch app boots up and gives you a running indication of how far you’ve gone and at what speed while also recording your heart rate. This seems like an obvious improvement 


johnjwall
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  • Hub Rookie
  • June 13, 2023

I forgot to mention, I get around this by using Adidas Running and then I use an app called Run Gap that syncs the record over into Strava.


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  • Hub Starter
  • June 13, 2023

I do this with "RideWithGPS", but the solution doesn't get you Strava's broad variety of exercise types.


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  • Hub Starter
  • June 20, 2023

..but 3 apps instead of one? No, thank you.

Strava team! Let's go, implement it already. I'm pausing my subscription until it's fixed.


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  • Hub Starter
  • July 3, 2023

Unimpressed with the moderator just cutting and pasting her response too. We understand Strava doesn't currently do this, but will you please fix it? We're loyal users, the data is there, just find a way to port it over please.

Or you may find more of us will turn to another app, which would be sad/stupid/easily avoidable!


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  • Hub Starter
  • July 9, 2023

If your goal is HB info in your Strava saved activity and iPhone display on your bike, you can record your session with your watch as linked by the moderator and record a simultaneous session on your iPhone. At the end of the ride, save the watch session and discard the phone session. Did it this morning, works great, just have to pause in two places - if you pause.

Note: Apple would have to broadcast HB info via bluetooth according to standard for Strava to have a clean implementation like the OP requests. 


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  • Hub Starter
  • July 9, 2023

While this does work, it's a pretty terrible workaround.  I think it is reasonable to ask Strava to have the watch app and the phone app talk to each other the way that other fitness apps do.


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  • Hub Starter
  • July 26, 2023

Hi Jane - I really like Strava but this is a major frustration. Definitely makes me want to explore other options. Is there any good news on the roadmap? This must be a high-demand request given Apple’s market position…


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  • Hub Starter
  • July 29, 2023

Please can you change this? ridicilous that I'm paying a ~60 a year for Strava and they can't event get either the Apple Watch HB to work with Strava-recorded activities or the apple watch to talk to the strava phone app.

Both are things other free apps seems to do without issues.

So many people asking for this... can you give some clarity on roadmap and/or why it's so difficult to do? 


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  • Hub Starter
  • August 6, 2023

Can you please provide me an update on when this will be added? I need it for cycling. Thank you.


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  • Hub Starter
  • August 17, 2023

I agree—this is silly shocking Strava cannot provide this when other apps can.  I just joined and may not continue because of this missing feature that others have.


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  • Hub Starter
  • August 20, 2023

That is really unfortunate. The Strava app on the Apple Watch is so scaled back it doesn’t appear to have all the functionality I want to use. For example, following a specific route. So I’ll need to run two sessions, one in the watch and one on the phone and remove the duplicate later. Not a fan of this not being better integrated. 


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  • Hub Starter
  • August 20, 2023

I really want Strava to start importing Apple Watch heart live


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  • Hub Starter
  • August 21, 2023

why does Garmin work so well when the Apple Watch doesn’t 


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  • Hub Starter
  • September 18, 2023

I just subscribed but shocked to see i cannot use my apple watch to record my heart rate real time. this is a huge part of my workouts. I hate cheat straps and having to buy additional devices bc an app wont use my highly accurate and comfortable apple watch readings. This feels like an oversight as im sure im not the only one who uses an iphone. i may unsubscribe over this   i hope you guys can add apple watch at some point


johnjwall
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  • Hub Rookie
  • September 18, 2023

I found a workaround for this, I use Adidas Running and then RunGap to sync it over to Strava.


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  • Hub Starter
  • September 19, 2023

Kudos, but isn't that using three methods when only one should be necessary?