I'm reporting a critical Health data synchronization failure that began immediately after updating from watchOS 18 to watchOS 26.0.2 (stable release) and persists in watchOS 26.1 beta 2.
Bug Description:
Complete failure of Health data sync from Apple Watch to iPhone Health app. All health metrics are being captured and stored locally on the watch but fail to sync to the paired iPhone.
Affected Data Types:
Activity rings (Move, Exercise, Stand)
Heart rate measurements
Sleep tracking data
Workout data
All other HealthKit data points
Environment:
Device: Apple Watch Series 7
Initial failure: watchOS 26.0.2 (23R362) - stable release
Current: watchOS 26.1 beta 2 (23S5052c)
Paired iPhone: iPhone 17 Pro Max, iOS 26.1 beta 2 (23B5052c)
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity: Normal
Watch pairing status: Connected and functional for all other features
Reproduction:
Updated Apple Watch Series 7 from watchOS 18 to watchOS 26.0.2 on September 30, 2025
Health data sync ceased completely starting October 1, 2025
Issue persists after updating to watchOS 26.1 beta 2 and iOS 26.1 beta 2
Data remains stored locally on watch and is viewable in watch apps
Apple Watch appears as connected data source in Health app but no data transfers
Troubleshooting Performed:
Multiple device restarts (both iPhone and Apple Watch)
Bluetooth/Wi-Fi toggling and reconnection
Verified Privacy > Motion & Fitness > Fitness Tracking and Health enabled on both devices
Confirmed data source priority settings in Health app
Extended charging periods to allow background sync operations
Verified no Low Power Mode restrictions
Impact:
Critical functionality loss for primary Apple Watch use case. Unable to track longitudinal health data, breaking continuity of health records dating back to watchOS 18.
Feedback Submitted:
FB20533870 filed via Feedback Assistant with sysdiagnose from both devices
Questions for Engineering:
Is this a known regression in watchOS 26.0.2 or later builds?
Are there any watchOS 26.1 beta release notes addressing HealthKit sync issues that I should review?
Should I capture additional diagnostic data (e.g., specific console logs, HealthKit database states)?
Is unpairing/re-pairing expected to resolve this, or would that indicate a deeper architectural issue?
Additional Context:
Apple Watch appears in Settings > Bluetooth as connected
Can successfully change watch faces from iPhone
Notifications, Messages, and calls work normally
No previous sync issues prior to watchOS 26.0.2
Senior Apple Support advisor escalation completed; awaiting engineering review
This appears to be a regression introduced in watchOS 26.0.2. Any guidance on additional diagnostics or confirmation of a fix in upcoming builds would be appreciated.
Health & Fitness
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I researched Apple HealthKit Background Delivery documentation but I couldn't find any information about does HK background delivery stay persistent after restarting the device? Do I need to enable background delivery for each health data type on a reboot? Can you enlighten me about this topic.
Current HealthKit APIs provide access to heart-rate data through queries, but not as a true real-time stream. This limitation prevents systems such as Mercedes-Benz ENERGIZING from dynamically adapting the vehicle environment — including light, sound, seat massage and climate — to the driver’s physiological state.
The ENERGIZING Coach developed by Mercedes-Benz uses continuous biometric feedback to enhance comfort, focus and safety by adjusting sensory stimuli based on live pulse data. Garmin wearables can already support this because they offer open Bluetooth Low Energy protocols. The Apple Watch, on the other hand, stores heart-rate data securely in HealthKit and makes it available through delayed write intervals. As a result, the current query mechanisms such as HKAnchoredObjectQuery or HKObserverQuery deliver updates with a latency of several seconds to minutes, which is too slow for the type of sub-second reaction required by driver-assistance or wellness systems.
I would like to propose that Apple consider creating a real-time HealthKit streaming entitlement for verified partners such as automotive manufacturers participating in the CarPlay ecosystem. This entitlement could be limited to specific biometric signals like heart rate, heart-rate variability and stress index, and should function only when the user explicitly opts in. The data could travel one way from the iPhone to the vehicle head unit during an active CarPlay session, remain local and encrypted, and never be stored in the cloud. A latency of around half a second would be ideal. Technically, this could follow an asynchronous delegate model similar to HKLiveWorkoutBuilder or a Combine publisher interface adapted for CarPlay Health sessions.
A capability like this would extend Apple’s health ecosystem beyond the wrist into the driving environment, allowing cars to respond in real time to the physical state of their drivers. It would strengthen Apple’s commitment to both privacy and safety, while supporting automotive partners that focus on human-centered design. Imagine a driver whose heart rate drops below a vigilance threshold: the Apple Watch detects it instantly, CarPlay transmits the signal securely to the ENERGIZING system, and the vehicle gently adjusts lighting and seat vibration to restore alertness.
This kind of integration fits perfectly with Apple’s long-term vision of “Health Everywhere” and would make a measurable contribution to road safety and driver well-being. I would be happy to provide a more detailed use-case document or to collaborate with the Health Technologies and Car Experience teams to outline how this integration could be implemented securely and efficiently.
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Health & Fitness
I'm trying to make a watchOS app that uses sleep data to wake users up when they enter lighter sleep stages. Apple has HealthKit, which exposes HKCategoryValueSleepAnalysis to view each stage throughout sleep, but unfortunately, this data is only written after the user wakes up.
I did some research and found that the Apple Watch’s sleep classifier is part of Apple’s private system process, and apps can’t access that model directly or as it’s running. So, there’s no way to “record” my own data stream and match it with Apple’s classification during the night.
Has anyone found a way to approximate or access live sleep-stage data in another way?
I’m thinking of combining CoreMotion (for movement) and heart rate data from a HKWorkoutSession to infer stages myself, but I’m wondering if there’s any Apple-approved or more accurate approach for this.
In other words, is there any way to use an Apple Watch to detect sleep stages accurately while the user is still asleep for the purpose of timing an optimal wake-up? Thanks
Hi everyone,
I’m building a health app with React Native using Expo Dev Client on a real iPhone. I need to read Apple Health (HealthKit) data, but the authorization sheet never appears—so the app never gets permissions and all queries return nothing.
What I’ve already done
Enabled HealthKit capability for the iOS target.
Added NSHealthShareUsageDescription and NSHealthUpdateUsageDescription to Info.plist.
Using a custom dev build (not Expo Go).
Tested fresh installs (deleted the app), rebooted device, and checked Settings → Privacy & Security → Health/Motion & Fitness.
Tried both packages: react-native-health and @kingstinct/react-native-healthkit. Same behavior: no permission dialog at first use.
Ask
Is there a known reason why the HealthKit permission sheet would not show on modern iOS when called from a React Native bridge (with Expo Dev Client)? Are there any extra entitlements, signing, or config-plugin steps required beyond HealthKit capability + Info.plist?
If you’re successfully fetching Apple Health data from React Native on recent iOS, could you share the exact steps that made the permission sheet appear and data flow (Expo config/plugin used, Xcode capability setup, profile/team settings, build type, bundle ID nuances, any Health app reset steps, etc.)? This would help me and others hitting the same “authorized call but no prompt/no data” issue. Thank you!
I am working on a cycling fitness app and I want to read the cycling power recorded using my Garmin edge from the Garmin Connect App. Currently the data is not transferred to the Health/Fitness Apps. Ideally it would be good to be able to query the power samples similar to the heart rate samples, but even the average power would suffice, as I could then calculate the Kilojoules.
I am using this below code since WatchOS 10 to set the user steps observer and get the callback of steps whenever changes.
This is still working perfectly fine till watchOS 11 but when i updated to watchOS 26.1, I am not getting the callback of steps, like the observer is not working at all. I should get a callback inside query block whenever user take steps, but it is not working in watchOS 26.1.
func setupStepCountObserver(completion: @escaping (Double, Double) -> Void) {
let stepCountType = HKObjectType.quantityType(forIdentifier: .stepCount)!
let query = HKObserverQuery(sampleType: stepCountType, predicate: nil) { [weak self] _, completionHandler, error in
if let error = error {
print("Error setting up observer query: \(error.localizedDescription)")
return
}
// Fetch the latest step count data
self?.getLast20SecTodaysSteps(completion: completion)
// Call the completion handler to let HealthKit know you have processed the update
completionHandler()
}
// Execute the query
healthStore.execute(query)
// Enable background delivery of updates
healthStore.enableBackgroundDelivery(for: stepCountType, frequency: .immediate) { success, error in
if let error = error {
print("Error enabling background delivery steps: \(error.localizedDescription)")
} else if success {
print("Background delivery enabled for steps.")
}
}
}
When calling beginCollection on HKLiveWorkoutBuilder the function never completes and gets stuck. (On the second workout session, the first session works flawlessly)
To reproduce:
Run the MirroringWorkoutsSample on WatchOS https://developer.apple.com/documentation/healthkit/building-a-multidevice-workout-app.
Start the workout and then end the workouts it should work perfectly fine the first time.
Start the workout and end again, and you should see the problem, the workout doesn’t end.
The second time i start a workout session, the beginCollection instance method on HKLiveWorkoutBuilder freezes.
To recreate run the Apple Sample Project Building a multidevice workout app. It looks like a bug with the HealthKit SDK and not the code but i could be wrong. The only workaround i found was erasing the simulator and reinstalling the app.
Was able to use ai to help code my idea for a haptic heart rate monitor using watch se‘s ppg and accelerometer. Now if I could just get it on the App Store…
I am developing a running training app that coaches can use to create interval workout plans.
I can use HKWorkout to get information about Splits similar to that in Fitness app, but I can't get information about Intervals.
My idea is to show interval details when users view their completed custom interval workout plans.
Can I use Healthkit (or another feasible method) to get the actual distance or time of exercise in intervals workout ?
(I know the workoutPlan property, but it doesn't reflect the segments of a real interval training workout.)
Any insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Health & Fitness
Tags:
Health and Fitness
HealthKit
WorkoutKit
Hi!
I have over 800 days strike in closing my move circle. However oerfect month badge is not popping up for November, we have now mid of Dec and still no update.
I updated iOS to 26, did multiple resets and hard resets and still no badge. I checked many forums and post but any of given tips is working in my case.
i know it sounds funny, but it’s frustrating that I’m not getting this little gold medal to keep me motivated 😅
does anyone know how to deal with it? Is it common issue?
I'm developing a watchOS nap app that detects when the user falls asleep by monitoring heart rate changes.
== Technical Implementation ==
HKWorkoutSession (.mindAndBody) for background execution
HKAnchoredObjectQuery for real-time heart rate data
CoreMotion for movement detection
== Battery Considerations ==
Heart rate monitoring ONLY active when user explicitly starts a session
Monitoring continues until user is awakened OR 60-minute limit is reached
If no sleep detected within 60 minutes, session auto-ends
(user may have abandoned or forgotten to stop)
App displays clear UI indicating monitoring is active
Typical session: 15-30 minutes, keeping battery usage minimal
== The Problem ==
HKWorkoutSession affects Activity Rings during the session. Users receive
"Exercise goal reached" notifications while resting — confusing.
== What I've Tried ==
Not using HKLiveWorkoutBuilder → Activity Rings still affected
Using builder but not calling finishWorkout()
(per https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/780220)
→ Activity Rings still affected
WKExtendedRuntimeSession (self-care type)
(per https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/721077)
→ Only ~10 min runtime, need up to 60 min
HKObserverQuery + enableBackgroundDelivery
(per https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/779101)
→ ~4 updates/hour, too slow for real-time detection
Audio background session for continuous processing
(suggested in https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/130287)
→ Concerned about App Store rejection for non-audio app;
if official approves this technical route, I can implement in this direction
Some online resources mention "Health Monitoring Entitlement" from WWDC 2019
Session 251, but I could not find any official documentation for this entitlement.
Apple Developer Support also confirmed they cannot locate it?
== My Question ==
Is there any supported way to:
Monitor heart rate in background for up to 60 minutes
WITHOUT affecting Activity Rings or creating workout records?
If this requires a special entitlement or API access, please advise on
the application process. Or allow me to submit a code-level support request.
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Health & Fitness
Tags:
Entitlements
Health and Fitness
HealthKit
I don't understand why elevation data is not stored in the sample using a standard length unit. Why is it stored in HKQuantityTypeIdentifier.flightsClimbed (which is 10 feet)?
Surely it is not a memory usage issue.
Treadmill GATT provides elevation in meters.
Using HKMetadataKeyElevationAscended for the total elevation gain throws away a lot of data.
Why is there no support for weighted vest or backpack? Changing body weight is not the same and provides incorrect energy. Users want to compare workouts with different weights. I don't see any metadata key for carried weight.
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Health & Fitness
Hey everyone,
I was wondering if it is possible to access the raw data of the gyroscope and accelerometer of the Airpod 3 pro?
I found different answers online - some say I can only get some processed data, but in the Core Motion documentation it reads as it might be possible to get raw data.
Any clear answer for this one?
Thanks!
Hello everyone,
I’m currently enrolling as an Organization from Albania and I’ve been stuck on the "Enrolling" status for 8 business days now.
I have my D-U-N-S number sorted and everything was submitted. I sent an email last week to the support but I haven't heard back yet. I’ve already sent another support message 2 days ago but no reply so far.
I’m curious to hear from others who have enrolled recently (especially in 2026):
How long did your organization verification take?
Did you receive a verification phone call, or was it just approved via email?
For those in the Balkans/Europe, did you have to provide extra local business registry documents (like the QKB extract) manually?
I’m trying to time my launch with my Google Play release, so I’m a bit anxious about the "black hole" of waiting. Any experiences or "nudge" tips would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Health & Fitness
Tags:
App Store
App Store Connect
Developer Program
1/ Issue Summary
In our application, we use HKObserverQuery together with:HKHealthStore.enableBackgroundDelivery(for:frequency: .immediate)
to enable HealthKit Background Delivery, allowing the system to wake our App Extension in the background to process health data updates.
Under the same app build, identical HealthKit permission configuration, and the same watchOS version, we have observed significant differences in background delivery frequency across different devices.
Specifically, on certain devices (e.g. Apple Watch Series 10, watchOS 26.2.1), the background delivery frequency is significantly reduced, behaving as if it is capped at approximately once per hour. On other control devices, under the same configuration, background delivery is triggered much more frequently and consistently, at approximately every 8–16 minutes.
This behavior is consistently reproducible on the affected devices.
**We would like to understand whether there are any officially recommended implementation patterns, best practices, or device-/system-level considerations when using HKObserverQuery and Background Delivery, in order to achieve more consistent and predictable background update behavior across different devices running the same system version. **
2/ Detailed Device Comparison
We conducted internal comparison testing across multiple devices with the following results:
Device A (Affected / Abnormal)
Model: Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm)
OS: watchOS 26.2.1
Serial (partial): C*HY
Background Delivery Frequency: ~ once every 60 minutes (significantly lower than expected)
Device B (Normal)
Model: Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm)
OS: watchOS 26.2.1
Serial (partial): G*4R
Background Delivery Frequency: ~ every 8–16 minutes
Device C (Normal)
Model: Apple Watch Series 8 (41mm)
OS: watchOS 26.3
Serial (partial): C*J6
Background Delivery Frequency: ~ every 8–16 minutes
Device D (Normal)
Model: Apple Watch Series 5 (41mm)
OS: watchOS 10.6.1
Serial (partial): G*TQ
Background Delivery Frequency: ~ every 8–16 minutes
All devices share the following conditions:
HealthKit permissions: Full read/write permissions granted
Background App Refresh: Enabled
System state: Low Power Mode, Do Not Disturb, and all Focus modes disabled
App build: Identical app build installed on all devices
HealthKit configuration: Same data types and same frequency parameter used in enableBackgroundDelivery
Implementation: Identical HKObserverQuery implementation logic
3/ Abnormal Behavior Observed
On the affected device(s), we observe that:
HealthKit background delivery appears to be heavily coalesced or throttled
The system rarely attempts to wake the App Extension
Behavior is clearly inconsistent with other devices using the same configuration
The behavior does not match our expectations for HealthKit Background Delivery with .immediate frequency
4/ Troubleshooting Already Performed
We have already attempted the following on the affected device(s):
Restarted both Apple Watch and paired iPhone
Re-paired the Apple Watch
Uninstalled and reinstalled the app
Revoked and re-granted HealthKit permissions
Confirmed that Low Power Mode, Do Not Disturb, and Focus modes are all disabled
The issue remains consistently reproducible.
5/ Assistance Requested
We would appreciate guidance on:
Whether there are any officially recommended implementation patterns, tuning options, or best practices for using HKObserverQuery and HealthKit Background Delivery
Whether there are any known device-level or system-level factors that may cause significantly different background delivery behavior on different devices running the same watchOS version
How to best achieve consistent and predictable background update delivery behavior across devices for apps that rely on this mechanism
6/ Additional Information
We can provide sysdiagnose logs from both affected and unaffected devices for comparison
We can also provide a minimal reproducible sample project if needed
After upgrading to a new iPhone and restoring from an iCloud backup using the same Apple ID, I noticed an issue with Health app permissions.
■ What is happening
On my previous iPhone, an app had permission to read step count data.
After restoring to the new iPhone, the app still appears in the Health app under Sources.
However, when I tap the app, the usual data type permission toggles (such as Steps) are not displayed at all.
As a result, the app is unable to read step count data.
■ Additional details
The app itself seems to be recognized as a Health data source.
However, the data type permission screen is empty.
No ON/OFF switches are shown.
The backup was created on iOS 18, and the restore was performed on iOS 26.
I have not yet confirmed whether this also happens with other iOS version combinations.
■ Questions
Is it expected behavior that Health app permissions (per data type) are not restored via iCloud backup?
Has anyone experienced a similar situation where the app appears under Sources but the permission options are missing? If so, how did you resolve it?
Any information from users who have experienced the same issue would be greatly appreciated.