How to use Strava with your smartwatch
Get Strava on your watch and track activities like a pro
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“If it isn’t on Strava, it didn’t happen” goes the popular saying, and what better way to make sure that your activities are logged accurately on Strava than by connecting your smartwatch?
Thebest smartwatchesencompass a huge variety of options, but they all serve a similar purpose when it comes to fitness; to record activities in detail, and show health and recovery insights to get you on your next workout sensibly and safely.
Stravais one of thebest fitness apps out there, especially for runners and cyclists. You can record GPS-based activities with the Strava app on iOS and Android smartphones, but with Strava on your smartwatch, you’ll be able to start and stop activities from your wrist and get heaps more health data than just using your smartphone alone.
Strava supportspretty much all of thebest fitness trackersandrunning watches. Many devices, including those fromGarmin, sync activities to Strava through their own software. However, if you have anApple Watch,Samsung Watch, or Android Wear device like theGoogle Pixel Watch 2, you can download the Strava app to your watch and use it to smash fitness goals on the go.
I’ve worn pretty much every smartwatch brand out there — either through review testing or indecision — so I know how easy it can be to add the Strava app and track workouts. Here’s how to connectyoursmartwatch to Strava for the best experience.
How to use Strava on your Apple Watch
1. Install Strava on an Apple Watch
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Start by downloading theStravaapp from theApp Storeand getting logged in on your phone if you haven’t already.
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Then open the Apple Watch app, go to theMy Watchsection, find Strava, and tap Install.
2. Authorize permissions
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When you first open Strava on your Watch, you should see a prompt appear on your phone asking you to authorizeStrava for Apple Watch.
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Once that’s done, you’re nearly ready to start recording, but you’ll want to make sure that Strava can use your Watch’s built-in heart rate monitor.
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Launching the Strava app on the watch should trigger another prompt on your phone and the watch screen, asking you to grant Strava permission to access and update your Health data.
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Scroll down within the Health app to findAllow Strava to Readand activate heart rate (and all your Health data unless you have a good reason not to). You can always find this data in the Sharing section of the Health App.
3. Record a workout
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The Strava Watch app is much more streamlined than the iPhone version, and only gives you the option tostart, stopandpauseactivities, plus show your progress during those activities.
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To start recording an activity, tap theStrava iconon yourApple Watch, scroll and tap to pick the activity, then press the start button to begin.
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Once the activity has started, there are two screens to swipe between. The main screen displays elapsed time, distance and heart rate in real-time, while a swipe to the left brings up thePauseandFinishbuttons,Settingsand aScreen Lock– perfect for when you’re running in the rain.
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When you’re done running, cycling, skiing or activity-ing, hit theFinishflag to end your session and sync the data with the full smartphone Strava app. Any miles logged will count towards your weekly progress automatically.
While using Strava on yourApple Watchis convenient, it does come with limitations. The app doesn’t support Strava Live Segments (so no real time updates as you go) and you can’t see maps or Strava Routes on the display.
How to use Strava with your Samsung Watch
There’s a standalone Strava app forSamsungGear and Galaxy smartwatches, but the installation method depends on how new your device is. Devices after and including theSamsung Galaxy Watch 4and Watch 4 Classic use Wear OS, which I’ve covered below.
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If you’ve got an older Samsung smartwatch (pre-2021), you can still install the Strava app on yourSamsung Gear devicefrom the Galaxy Store. You’ll need to visit thisStrava pagefrom a desktop to connect your Strava account and receive a four-digit code to link up your device.
Just like with Strava for Apple Watch, the interface is simplified. Once you’ve opened up the Strava app on your Samsung device, select an activity and you’ll see the time, pace, or speed, plus distance and heart rate. A swiping motion lets you change settings,Pause, Finish, or cancel the activity.
How to use Strava with Wear OS Watch
Strava supports thebest Wear OS Watchfrom Wear OS 3.0 and above, and that includes the likes of theGoogle Pixel WatchandPixel Watch 2, plus our current favorite Wear OS device, theSamsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro review.
1. Install Strava on your Wear OS watch
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Open theGoogle Play Storefrom the watch, search forStrava, and tap to install it. Once you’ve done that, the button will show asOpeninstead ofInstall.
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You’ll be asked to sign in to Strava on your paired phone, too (you can’t use a Samsung or Pixel watch with iPhones, but you probably know that already). When you open Strava on your smartwatch, it should automatically be signed in, but there’s a quick authorization step to add your credentials if not.
2. Record a workout
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Using Strava on a Wear OS Watch is super simple. The first time you open it up from your app drawer you’ll be asked to permit it to access your location and health data. Accept the terms to get started.
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To record a workout from the app, select your activity type, and hitStart.You might have to wait a few moments for the GPS to lock onto your location, but then you’re ready to get moving.
How to use Strava with Garmin
Most people buy aGarmin Watchfor serious fitness tracking. Garmin devices are definitely more fitness trackers than smartwatches, and there aren’t any products in the Garmin range with a dedicated Strava app.
But, by syncing your Garmin watch with Strava via the Garmin Connect Mobile app and Bluetooth on your smartphone, any new activities – be they runs, cycles, or swims – will sync to Strava automatically. Head to the settings section of theConnectapp, Go toConnected Apps, select Strava, and set up your connection and preferences.
How to use Strava with Fitbit
As with Garmin wearables, not everyone countsFitbitdevices as smartwatches. And while there’s not a dedicated app for Strava on Fitbit devices, you can sync up your activities in just a few taps, so that your Fitbit workouts get sent straight to Strava.
The easiest way to connect your Fitbit device is atthis Strava link. If you’re on an iPhone, then you’ll also find the option nestled with settings. Once synced up, Garmin sends activity data from the last 90 days, while Fitbit only sends new ones after you’ve synced up your devices (unless you export and add them manually).
Using a smartwatch with Strava can give a real boost to your fitness journey, integrating powerful tracking technology with your active lifestyle and letting you go hands-free without your smartphone. I’ve loved the freedom of going running without my iPhone, while still being able to track my miles and listen to music.
Whether you’re using an Apple Watch or the latest Wear OS device, the smartwatch-Strava combination gives you instant insights into your performance, so that you can push boundaries and smash your PBs. Try using Strava with your own smartwatch and get more motivation on every stride or pedal.
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Lauren Scott is an experienced journalist and freelance photographer based in Bath, UK. She’s been in the industry for over ten years; as the former Managing Editor of our sister site Digital Camera World, Editor ofDigital Photographermagazine,andTechnique Editor for bothPhotoPlusandDigital Cameramagazines. Lauren is an aspiring polymath, and as well as raving about cameras past and present for TechRadar, she also has bylines at Space.com, Canon Europe, PCGamesN, T3, and British Airways' in-flight magazine, High Life (among others). When she’s not working, you’ll find her testing yet another new curry recipe, or teaching her happy Flat-coated Retriever how to retrieve.
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