Health does not work on iPhone 5. How does a smartphone count steps and is the data correct? Conflict of information received from different sources? Prioritizing data sources will help

Electronic devices are increasingly participating in our daily life, becoming full-fledged assistants in many matters. This trend extends to monitoring the physical parameters of the user’s body. With the help of technology, it is possible to track your own condition, count your heart rate and determine your sleep phases. Apple smartphones are no exception. The devices are equipped with new software for processing data on the activity of the user’s body. Let's take a closer look at how to use the Health app on iPhone.

In addition to calculating the distance traveled by the user, a number of other functions are available:

How does a pedometer work on iPhone?

A feature of all iPhones, from the 5th model to the latest X, is a built-in electronic-mechanical pedometer. The function based on the amplitude of vibrations of the smartphone transforms impulses into the number of steps taken, in other words, it counts steps.

If you don't see your step count in the Today tab, tracking may not be enabled.

It's easy to enable by following the step-by-step instructions:

On the main screen, select the “Settings” icon (gray gear), then look for the “Privacy” item, then click on the “Movement and Fitness” link.
Opposite the Fitness Tracking function, activate the switch so that it lights up green. In the same way, move the slider opposite the “Health” application.

After this, the iPhone will begin collecting statistics on its owner’s activities: the number of steps, floors walked, and counting the total distance.

There are also third party programs with similar functionality. It is recommended to install them from the repository App Store.

Conclusion

The “Health” direction is the summation and demonstration of activity indicators of the phone owner.

When a sedentary lifestyle becomes habitual, it is difficult to maintain a healthy level of activity for the body. Apple devices help with this, as well as special program. Athletes benefit from having additional devices: smart watch or fitness bracelet. In this way, it is easy to collect data on physical activity levels and avoid physiological problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

Fitness bracelets, activity trackers, smart watches and other accessories and gadgets that allow you to track user activity 24 hours a day are still in trend. For the most part, if you don’t need the smart wake-up function (the bracelet tracks your sleep phases), then iPhone capabilities Enough is enough. In this article we will tell you everything about the “movement and fitness” function in the iPhone and how much it can replace the capabilities of separately purchased devices and applications.

In contact with

Starting with iOS 8, every user with more or less current version iPhone, now you can track your activity. The pedometer does not require the purchase of any accessories, and its accuracy is at a fairly high level.

Which iPhones have a built-in pedometer?

iPhone X;
iPhone 8;
iPhone 8 Plus;
iPhone 7;
iPhone 7 Plus;
iPhone 6s;
iPhone 6s Plus;
iPhone SE;
iPhone 6 Plus;
iPhone 6;
iPhone 5s.

That is, all devices under iOS control 8 and newer, having a built-in coprocessor M, which is responsible for activity and ensures the energy efficiency of the device. And also, starting with the iPhone 6, the smartphone learned to count the number of floors passed.

In fact, you can use older iPhones to track activity, but here you’ll have to be content third party software(in fact, he often better apps « Health”, coming “out of the box”) and it’s tearful to watch the rapidly decreasing battery charge, since GPS will be used for accuracy, and not just a gyroscope.

How to enable pedometer on iPhone (counting steps, distance and calories)?

First you need to activate the tracking function, which is enabled by default, but many people disable it to save battery power.

1 . Go to Settings → Confidentiality → Movement and fitness.

2 . Activate the switch opposite the item " Fitness Tracking" and allow access to the application " Health».

How to use a pedometer in the Health app on iPhone?

Run standard application « Health" In chapter " Meddata» click on the card « Activity". This section will collect all your activity for the day, week and month.

Scroll down a little and you will see the section “ Walking and running distance".

Will be reflected here detailed statistics according to the steps taken. To get a detailed report by day and hour, click on the orange calendar chart.

In order not to search the entire tree for the result of a particular indicator each time, it is enough to put it in the section “ Favorites» in the form of a widget. For these purposes there is a switch " To favorites".

I work out regularly using an app called 7 Minute Workout, but I also keep an activity log in the Argus app. My steps are counted by my FitBit bracelet, and my heart rate is tracked in Instant Heart Rate. My data was scattered across several applications until the Health application from the iPhone manufacturer itself appeared.

"Health" - an application developed by Apple and pre-installed in iOS 8, gives us the opportunity to collect data from all types of applications in one place.

You'll often see "Health" in the context of calorie counting and fitness activity tracking, but this platform is designed to handle much more than that data. At correct use, the app can help you gain control over other areas of your well-being, such as vitamin intake (while making up for deficiencies, for example), blood glucose tracking, sleep, and even vital health. important indicators such as heart rate and blood pressure.

Create your own control panel.

The Health app is an aggregator designed to collect data. Most of the time, the metrics that appear on dashboard will be based on data received from other applications. But, there are two exceptions: counting steps and number of takeoffs.

Steps andnumber of takeoffs.
Using the motion processor on the 5S, 6 or 6 Plus, Health can track your steps without assistance external application or a device such as a FitBit. The same applies to iPhones 6 and 6 Plus, both of them can track the number of takeoffs (meaning responding to a change in position relative to sea level, which happens, for example, when an airplane takes off) using a built-in barometer.

To track your steps, go to the Health Data tab, then Fitness. Here, go to the number of lifts and steps, then turn on Show on Dashboard. Now these statistics will appear in the Control Panel.

Track other apps in Health.
This is where the fun begins. In the Health app, check the Sources tab. If you have installed compatible apps, here you can give them permission to share their data with Health.

To show health data from fitness apps and devices in the Health app dashboard:

Go to sources then to the desired application and enable read and write permissions. Select your permission type: Active Calories or Workouts.
Go to the Health Data tab and find the permission type you recorded in step one. In this category, allow display in the Control Panel.
Everything tracked in this app will now appear in the Dashboard.

To find apps compatible with the Health app, sign in. App store Store, then go to the Health & Fitness category.

The secret weapon of the Health app.

Where Health really shines is in its unique ability to allow apps to communicate with each other. When you grant permission to an app in the Sources tab, you'll often see two categories: write and read. "Write" - allows the Health application to receive data; reading allows it to transfer data.

By enabling read permission, applications can receive information from fellow applications. Let's take the following example. You use the FitBit Aria to track your weight, which is currently recorded in the Health app. You perform a workout in 7 Minute Workout, which you have set up to record your calorie burn and weight data. In this case, 7 Minute Workout will now have access to your recorded weight and correctly calculate your calorie expenditure.

There are many variations of these scenarios, and they will become more useful as developers integrate their apps with Health. Some apps like Argus have tried to offer the same inter-app functionality, but lack the tools to make the experience successful.

Setting up a Medical ID.

If you are ever in need of emergency medical care, your Medical ID can be used to identify who you are and your medical history. Medical workers can access it from the lock screen by looking at the Medical ID.

To set up a Medical ID, go to the appropriate application tab, and then click "Edit". Be sure to turn on the "Show on lock screen" option so that doctors can view your data.

Where "Health" is useless.

This is just the beginning, and it is clear that the application will develop. The most disappointing part is that users cannot export their data anywhere. It would be really useful if users were able to save their data to spreadsheets or export them to other applications.

"Health" might also be a little more useful. There are many supported data types in the Health Data > All section, but Apple does a poor job of showing how users can obtain this data. Ideally, Apple would provide recommendations to apps as they become available.

Finally, it would be helpful if Apple company allowed users to lock an app with Touch ID.

Health app in iOS: why is it needed, what data is recorded in it, what useful settings There is? About how to lead healthy image life with Apple, read our article.

Apple Health(“Health”) is an aggregator of data about the state of your body in your iPhone. The application collects data from various fitness applications installed on your smartphone, as well as from Apple Watch, analyzes them and puts all the information into a convenient format to give you a comprehensive view of your health.

Apple Health. Categories

Apple Health: Health Data Categories

There are four different categories of data in the Health app. They allow you to quickly gain insight into your diet, sleep patterns, physical activity and other important things.

Activity: This category collects data about your physical activity and sports activities. Here you will find out how many steps you took per day, how long you sat still and how many calories you burned.
Dream: A regulated biorhythm is very important for good sleep. In this category you can find information about how long your sleep lasts and what time you go to bed.
Mindfulness: In this category you will find data about your breathing rhythm. You can also get an idea of how regularly you took breaks throughout the day, which can help prevent stress from developing.
Nutrition: Are you counting calories, want to eat less fatty foods, or think you're consuming too much caffeine? In the “Nutrition” category, you can analyze your menu and make the necessary adjustments.

In addition, the application has additional categories: heart, body measurements, reproductive health, tests, vital indicators.

Apple Health. Fitness Tracking

Apple Health: health

If you are using iOS 8 or later later version and don't see the Health app, you may need to update to latest version iOS.

In addition, for correct use The Health app may need to enable the Fitness Tracking option:

Open iPhone settings.
Select a category Are common, then click Confidentiality.
To use Health app features, go to Health > Fitness Tracking move the slider to the right.

Apple Health. Search applications

Your iPhone and Apple Watch perform some functions automatically to collect information about your activity and health. These include counting steps and measuring heart rate.

But you can integrate a lot of other health data collected through third-party apps into the Health app:

Open the Health app and tap one of the four categories.
You will be asked to watch an explanatory video. You will also see apps that match that category. Tap any app to learn more about it and download it.
If you already use some apps to collect your health data, search for them in the search box on start screen Health apps and add them.

Additional Apple Health app settings

Apple Health: Apple Watch integration

If you want to manually enter your values blood pressure, press Metadata, and then Basic indicators. Select the data type, e.g. Pressure and click on the plus icon. Enter values manually.
You can also import your health data if you have previously used other apps. Enter the Health application, select the necessary data and find the item Export. This is usually an icon shaped like a rectangle with an arrow pointing from it. Select Add to “Health”. Then in the Health app, under Metadata select item Health status and click on it to view the information you need.
To motivate yourself to exercise more or go on a diet, you can activate the function in the application to inform you about your daily progress. Just click Today at the bottom of the application to view statistics on various data.
You can add the data that is most important to you to Favorites. Press Metadata, then to the category and data type. Select a statistic or information and select below Add to favorites. IN Favorites you can easily see the information behind current month about your muscle gains, diet, or heart rate.
If you have an Apple Watch, your smartwatch data is automatically included in the Health app. To do this, the watch and iPhone simply need to be synchronized with the smartphone. You can receive data about your heart rate, movement and breathing.

Let's figure out how to enable a standard pedometer from the Health app on the iPhone, calibrate it, and see what available pedometer apps are in the App Store.

This article is suitable for everyone iPhone models Xs/Xr/X/8/7/6/5 and Plus on iOS 12. Older versions may have different or missing menu items and hardware support listed in this article.

Turn on the pedometer on iPhone

First you need to enable the tracking option, which is enabled by default. Many users turn it off to save battery power.

We follow the instructions:

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Using a pedometer in the Health app on iPhone

Launch the “Health” application. In the “Meddata” menu, click on the “Activity” card. IN this section All user activity for the month, week and day is located. If you scroll down a little, you can see the Walking and Running Distance menu.

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It displays detailed statistics on the steps taken. To get a detailed report by day, you should click on a special calendar schedule that has Orange color.

In order not to search for this or that value every time in the entire tree, you need to display it in the “Favorites” menu in the form of a gadget. You can use the “Add to Favorites” switch for this.

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In the “Sources” item, you can manage all connected devices.

Calibrating the iPhone pedometer

The built-in pedometer on your iPhone may require calibration. To do this, you need to use any free sports program.

Let's consider the process iPhone calibration using the example of the Runtastic application:

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After calibrating the data, the gadget shows more accurate activity indicators.

Best Third-Party Pedometer Apps for iPhone

Many users rely on pedometers during their daily walks. How accurate is step counting? Let's look at the 6 best pedometers.

These applications were studied for several weeks. After the walk, the results were checked and the steps were counted manually. The screenshot below shows a diagram with the obtained data.

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M7 - Steps

This pedometer attracts with its clear and minimalistic interface. The program shows in one of the tabs the number of steps taken per month, week or day.

The user can scroll left or right in the window to view previous days' results. By clicking on this data, you will not receive any other additional data.

You can view your activity for the month in the form of a list with different dates or graphics. The program runs in the background once a day to transfer data about the steps taken. There is almost no damage to the battery.

The experimental data obtained for M7 - Steps are quite accurate, they coincide with other applications that have an M7 coprocessor. After a day of use, the program's pleasant interface seems boring, and the lack additional options may disappoint users. The software is useful for those who do not need anything other than the actual counting of steps.

Stepz

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The program relies on data received from M7. Difference with previous application is additional features and bright design.

The program has a color scale that shows the number of steps you took per day, the distance traveled in miles, and your average for the week. On the bright green line at the top you can see the maximum number of steps taken.

Green Colored on the scale maximum amount steps, orange - average, and red - minimum. It turns out that the scale is a fairly clear and understandable guide.

If you click on the statistics, the bar graph will change from steps to miles traveled. If you wish, you can also study the number of steps taken per month, week or day.

Stepz pedometer is as accurate as any other pedometer best app. The development has a different design, but remains accessible and understandable for a beginner.

Walker M7

Free program Walker M7 relies on information from the M7 coprocessor. The app shows accurate data and provides more functionality, unlike the previous two pedometers.

Walker M7 not only counts steps, but is also able to distinguish between walking and running, tracks your route, monitors blood pressure, weight and calories burned. The resulting information can be shared on Evernote, Facebook or Twitter.

The application shows the number of steps in a circle on the main screen of the program. On the right, you can indicate whether you are going to run or walk, which will help the software track your steps more accurately. The distance traveled, your speed, calories burned and walking time are also displayed on the screen.

Using the buttons in the upper right corner you can open additional list options. They include the following:

Ratings.
Map.
Statistics.
Charts.

In the graphs you can switch between distance, steps and calories. If you scroll to the right, you can get information about the user's weight, blood pressure and the amount of accumulated fat.

In statistics, user activity is demonstrated in the form of a color chart. If you swipe to the left, you will see data about a walk, and to the right - about running.

Walker M7 has advanced functionality and is capable of accurately displaying information. It is possible to independently enter data about your blood pressure or weight.

Pacer

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In the application you can see recommendations that will help you conduct more active image life, and track some health indicators. The home screen shows your daily steps, calories burned, and activity time. The level of activity and progress during the day are also displayed here.

If you scroll to the right, you can see a graph of activity for the day. Another swipe will give you access to a button you should press when going on a long walk or run.

Pacer has three built-in fitness plans:

Build Your Own Plan.
Walk 4 Weight Loss.
Reach 10 thousand steps (Couch To 10K Steps).

In the application you can compete with your friends in the results achieved.

Breeze

On the main screen of the application, the received data is shown in a circle, which is located on a rather pleasant background. A group of 7 small circles (the user's progress over the week) will be filled depending on the approach to the given goal. If you click on one of the circles, it will be shown detailed information for the past day.

Quite often, Breeze does not display the route traveled and geolocation, but only shows a bubble with counted steps. The application also informs you about your progress and sends motivational messages too often. The program is functionally and visually pleasing.

Moves

The last application on our list is Moves, which shows movement graphs, steps, starting point of departure, final destination. The software is incredibly well developed, everything functions perfectly.

The number of steps taken while walking or running is published in colorful circles. The time spent on them is demonstrated. If you scroll down, it will show a graph that you can swipe left and right. This will allow you to view statistics for previous days.

Using the application, your stop locations are determined. This territory can be designated independently, for example, work, Gym, house.

You can click on a line or any stop to view it on the map. Routes are indicated different lines:

The bus or car is gray.
Bicycle - blue.
Walks are green.

If the application makes a mistake, each of the lines can be corrected. Of all the apps, only Moves was able to truly distinguish walking from cycling.

All listed programs have advantages and disadvantages. Each user chooses the software that is suitable for its functionality and design.

How to enable the built-in pedometer on iPhone X(s/r)/8/7/6

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