Please make sure to read our support article on Using your Apple watch with Runna and getting the most out of it before trying the tips below.
Apple Watch Compatibility
Runna currently supports:
Apple Watch Series 3 and later
watchOS 8 and higher
If your Apple Watch cannot run a supported watchOS version, it will not be compatible with Runna.
Runna and Apple Workouts
Since iOS 16, some older device combinations can no longer access Runna workouts through the native Apple Workouts app integration, particularly:
Watches below Apple Watch Series 5
Apple Watch SE (1st Gen)
However, as long as your watch supports watchOS 8 or higher, you can still use the Runna Apple Watch app directly to record workouts and receive audio cues.
Freezing or Unresponsiveness?
Force-closing apps on your Apple Watch can resolve issues such as freezing or unresponsiveness. Here's how to do it:
Whilst in the Runna app on your Apple Watch, press the side button until the power-off screen appears.
Release the side button, then press and hold the Digital Crown until the app quits and you're returned to the watch face.
Reopen the Runna app on your Apple Watch
Software Related Issues?
Rebooting your Apple Watch can often resolve software-related issues. Here's how to reboot your Apple Watch:
Press and hold the side button until the power-off slider appears.
Drag the power off-slider to the right to turn off your Apple Watch.
Once the Apple Watch is off, press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears and the device restarts.
App Updates
Updating the Runna App
Make sure you have the latest version of Runna installed on both your iPhone and Apple Watch. Apple Watch installs and updates rely on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so sometimes the iPhone app updates first and the Watch version is still finishing.
After updating Runna on your iPhone, the latest version should sync automatically to your Apple Watch. You can check this in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone under the My Watch tab to confirm Runna is up to date on your watch too.
Updating the watchOS
Running the latest version of watchOS helps ensure compatibility with the newest features and fixes. Here’s how to update your Apple Watch:
Make sure your Apple Watch is at least 50% charged and connected to its charger.
On your iPhone, open the Watch app.
Tap the My Watch tab.
Select General, then tap Software Update.
If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
Follow the on-screen steps to complete the update. Your Apple Watch will restart once installation is finished.
Health and Location Permissions.
If you’re unable to access your workout or notice inaccurate data on your Apple Watch, the most common cause is accidentally revoking Health or Location permissions. This can also prevent Runna from displaying important metrics such as pace and distance during a workout.
Make sure Runna has full access to Health and Location in your iPhone and Apple Watch settings to ensure accurate tracking.
Health Permissions
To check Health permissions on your Apple Watch:
Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch
Scroll down and tap Health → Apps → Runna
Make sure all toggles are switched ON
Location Permissions
To check Location permissions on your Apple Watch:
Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch
Scroll down and tap Privacy → Location Services
Make sure Location Services is enabled and all relevant toggles are switched ON
Once you’ve double-checked everything, open the Runna app and start a Free Run to make sure everything is working as expected.
Audio Cues
If you’re not receiving the audio cues you expected, make sure your headphones are connected directly to your Apple Watch.
it's important to note that you'll only receive Runna’s audio cues when using the Runna Apple Watch app to record your workouts. Runna-specific audio cues are not compatible with the Apple Workouts app integration.
Volume
On the Apple Watch:
Press the side button to open Control Center.
Scroll to the Audio (volume) control.
Turn the Digital Crown to increase the volume.
In the Runna Apple Watch App:
Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Use In-App Volume and toggle it ON.
You will need to force close the Runna app and reopen it for this change to take effect.
Then go to: Settings → Audio Cue Volume. Use the slider (or the Digital Crown, depending on the screen) to increase cue volume.
Cover To Mute
Enabling this setting can cause intermittent or missing audio cues if the watch face is covered by clothing, gloves, or other objects.
On your Apple Watch, open Settings → Gestures → Cover to Mute.
Toggle it OFF.
Duplicate Activities in Apple Fitness
If you’re seeing the same workout twice in Apple Fitness, don’t worry - this is usually caused by a common setup issue between Runna, Apple Health and Strava.
Below are the most common reasons and how to fix them.
1. The workout was recorded in two places at the same time
If you start a workout in more than one app or device, Apple treats them as two separate sessions. For example, recording with Runna on your phone and Apple Workouts on your Watch. Each app creates its own workout file, so Apple Fitness shows two entries.
In future, record each workout in one place only
If a duplicate already exists, you can delete one of the activities directly in Apple Fitness.
2. Strava is writing the workout back into Apple Health
If both Runna and Strava are connected to Apple Health, the workout may:
Save to Apple Health via Runna
Then get written back into Apple Health again via Strava
This results in a duplicate workout appearing in Apple Fitness. To stop Strava from writing workouts into Apple Health:
Open the Health app on your iPhone
Tap your profile icon (top right)
Tap Apps and Services
Select Strava
Under Allow Strava to Write, turn Workouts OFF.
3. Apple Fitness cannot merge duplicate recordings
Sometimes Runna receives multiple versions of the same workout (for example, from Apple and Strava). Inside Runna, we merge these into one clean activity. However, Apple Fitness cannot merge duplicate files, so you may still see two separate entries there.
If the duplicates are only visible in Apple Fitness, you can manually delete one of them in the Fitness app.
GPS Data Issues on the Apple Watch
If your GPS route looks distorted or inaccurate, your Apple Watch may be using your iPhone’s GPS instead of its own. To ensure your Apple Watch uses its built-in GPS, turn off Bluetooth on your iPhone before starting your run.
Wrist tattoos, a loose-fitting watch strap, or certain watch cases can also interfere with sensor readings, which may affect pacing data. To improve the accuracy of your record, in the Runna Watch app, go to:
Settings → Advanced Settings → Override Default Pace with GPS Pace.
You should also check that Running Speed is enabled in your Apple Health permissions for Runna.
Why do I have to manually tap my Apple Watch to move to the next section?
This happens when automatic step progression is disabled, allowing you to control exactly when each lap ends. This is great when running to the track or when your GPS is unreliable. To turn automatic lap progression back on:
Open the Runna mobile app
Go to Today tab → Profile (top left) → Workout Settings
Turn both Intervals/Tempo on Track and Open Warm-up OFF
Re-open your Apple Watch and select your workout.
Your workout should now progress automatically between steps.
Why is my Apple Watch pausing mid-workout?
Make sure Auto-Pause is turned OFF in your Apple Watch workout settings
If you're using Apple Workout Mirroring with your iPhone and Apple Watch, be aware that the workout can be paused from either device.
Sleeves, gloves, water on the screen, treadmill rails, or a loose strap can also accidentally trigger the pause button. Try adjusting your watch fit and keeping the screen clear during your run.
My Apple Watch died mid-workout - can I recover my run?
If your Apple Watch shuts down before the workout fully saves, the activity may not be written to Apple Fitness / Apple Health. If it doesn’t save there, Runna cannot import it.
Firstly, check to see if your workout was saved:
Charge and restart your Apple Watch.
Check:
Apple Fitness / Apple Health for a partially saved workout
The Runna app on your iPhone to see if it appears after reconnecting
If the workout appears in Apple Fitness, it should sync to Runna shortly.
If the workout isn’t visible:
Put your iPhone into Airplane Mode (with Wi-Fi off).
Record and save a short dummy workout in Runna.
When it fails to upload, open the Unsynced Workouts list.
Check if your missing workout appears there.
Turn Airplane Mode off and try syncing again.
If the activity still does not appear, it likely did not save before the watch powered off and cannot be recovered.
We understand this is disappointing, but you can still log your run manually in Runna and link it to your plan.
Add a Manual Activity
Go to the Activities tab
Tap the + icon near your profile picture
Enter the workout details (date, distance, time, pace)
Optional: Use Configure Laps to recreate intervals
Tap Save
Link it to your planned workout
Open the planned workout in your Runna plan
Tap Link Activity
Select your manual upload
This will mark the workout as completed in your plan.
Need further support?
If you’re still having issues, please reach out via our in-app support channel and we’ll investigate further!