Connecting Trackers via Apple Health

This guide is for members syncing steps from a 3rd party device compatible with Apple Health.

If you are looking to sync steps from your iPhone's internal step tracker, please see Connecting iPhone via Apple Health.

Tracking apps reported as compatible with Apple Health include:

Apple Watch
Garmin Connect
Strava, Polar Flow, COROS, Oura (if step data is tracked)

Some large proprietary tracking apps are currently compatible in only one direction and do not share step data with Apple Health (e.g. Samsung Health, Fitbit, Google Fit). See connecting trackers through Health Connect, or other ways to connect your Fitbit or Google Fit.

Where 3rd party connection fails or devices record activity other than steps, Manual Entry is the most accurate option. Manual Entry is available via our website or mobile app.

Key Steps

1. Update Phone Settings
2. Update Apple Health Settings
3. Update Device App Settings (example is Garmin Connect)
4. Connect Apple Health to 10,000 Steps

1. Update Phone Settings

Disable double-up steps tracked by your iPhone.

Go to Apple Phone Settings
Scroll down to Privacy & Security
Scroll down to Motion & Fitness
Turn off Fitness Tracking

2. Update Apple Health Settings

Confirm sharing permissions. Make your 3rd party app the primary source of steps in Apple Health.

Go to Apple Health App
Click on Sharing (centred in bottom navigation)
Scroll down and click on Apps
Click on 10,000 Steps and confirm steps are sharing
Click on your 3rd party app and confirm steps are sharing
Click on Summary, on the left of the bottom navigation
Scroll to Steps and turn on
Click on the Steps section
Scroll to the bottom of the section and click on Data Sources and Access
Click 'Edit' in top right hand corner, then click on the ☰ button to the right of your 3rd party app and drag your app to the top of the list

3. Update Device App Settings

In this example, we confirm Apple Health has connected permissions for Garmin Connect. Your app might look different, but should have something similar.

Go to Garmin Connect app
Select 'more' on the right of the bottom navigation
Select Settings
Select Connected Apps
Select Apple Health and ensure that its connected

4. Connect Apple Health to 10,000 Steps

Work through previous steps before connecting here.

Go to the 10,000 Steps app
Login or Sign Up to 10,000 Steps
Click the ☰ button at the top right
Click Tracker Connections
Click Connect Apple Health
Allow permissions if a popup appears
Click on Dashboard (bottom left of the screen)
Drag your finger down on Dashboard to perform your first sync!

Find out more about:

You can also use the 10,000 Steps program through our website!

Additional features available on our website include:

You can also Submit a Member Story to inspire other members on 10,000 Steps!