Hello Everyone,

Welcome to our Devices Integration Spotlight Series. We wanted to put together a series of articles that revolves around the popular devices that are integratable with Strava. In this series, we will cover how to use the integration, frequently asked questions, common issues that may be experienced, and troubleshooting steps/workarounds that can be used to resolve those problems. Let’s kick things off with Samsung Devices.

Samsung and Strava Integration
Currently, there are three different methods of recording and syncing activities in Samsung devices to Strava. 

1. Samsung Health
2. Strava app for Wear OS
3. Strava app for Tizen (older Samsung wearables)
   - due to the end of life for the Tizen OS in 2025 we will only be covering the first two methods
    

Recording on Samsung Health and Syncing Activities with Strava
Activity syncing works in both directions with Samsung health. However, while all activities will be synced from Strava to Samsung Health, only activities containing GPS data will sync from Samsung Health to Strava.
More information can be found below under Activity History.

• If the files don’t have GPS data, Samsung Health can share an image of your stats or image similar to Strava, Instagram, ETC. These images appear on Strava as a Post.
   
• Linking Accounts
  • You can link accounts from the Samsung Health app (Android only) to sync your activities to their Strava account:
    • Settings > Connected Services > tap Strava and enter your account credentials.
• Activity History
  • Only new activities with GPS data are synced. Previously recorded activities will not by synced, but can be exported/uploaded
  • Non-GPS activities will not sync from Samsung Health
     
• What’s included in the export:
  • GPS Lat/Long
  • Date/Time
  • HR data (if recorded)
• Why is moving time and pace on Strava different from Samsung’s?
  • We’re using our own moving time calculation based on the GPS coordinates in the file, which is different than Samsung Health’s.
• What can I do if an activity fails to sync from Samsung Health to Strava?
  • If your activity has GPS data on it try disconnecting and reconnecting the link between Strava & Samsung Health.
  • If the step above doesn’t work to get your activity synced, you can download a GPX of the activity using the following instructions:  

1. Go down to Exercise on Your Samsung Health app

2. Select "View history" 

3. Scroll down and select the missing activity in question

4. Once you are on that activity's overview page you will go to the 3 dots in the upper right corner and select "Export as GPX file".  Once the GPX file is downloaded you can then upload it manually to your account on the Strava website.
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* Please note since this is just a GPX file, the only data it will include are GPS points and timestamps. If you had heart rate data on the activity in Samsung Health, that will not be included in the file, unfortunately. You can manually upload your activity's GPX file here: strava.com/upload/select.

Recording on the Strava app on Wear OS 3.0+

• If you have paired your Wear OS wearable device to your phone where you are already signed into your Strava profile, upon opening the Strava app on your watch, you will be automatically signed into your Strava profile when you accept the terms of service and grant permissions to the application.
  If you have not signed into your Strava profile on your phone when you setup the Strava Wear OS application, you’ll be prompted to go through the authentication process on your phone.
   
• The Wear OS 3.0 application can record time, distance, and heart rate data while recording the activity. Step count data is not included in the activity file for Run, Walk, or Hike activities.
• To change the language of the app you will need to uninstall, change your locale, and then reinstall.

• Current differences regarding the Strava app on Wear OS vs SHealth:
  • During a recording, the Android phone Strava app and Wear OS Strava Watch apps behave independently. Activity stats will not appear on your phone if you're recording with the Strava Wear OS watch app and vice versa. 
  •  At this moment in time, the Wear OS 3 application does not have a laps feature. We've passed this onto our team and may see this available in the future.  
  • Currently routes created in the Strava mobile or desktop apps are not available for the WearOS Strava app.
• If you are encountering issues with Heart Rate visibility on Strava vis the Samsung Health recording or Strava Wear OS app, ensure that you are over the age of 16 and have Health Permissions Granted

As we wrap up our initial dive into integrating Samsung devices with Strava, we hope this overview has provided you with a clear understanding of the available methods, addressed some of your frequently asked questions, and equipped you with troubleshooting steps to tackle common hurdles. 

Keep an eye out for the next installment in our Devices Integration Spotlight Series, where we'll explore integration with other popular fitness devices. I want to give a special shout out to ​@Jimi for helping put this together. If you encounter any persistent issues not covered here, don't hesitate to consult the Strava support website for more in-depth assistance.