How to See Steps on Apple Watch Face

While you can track steps on Apple Watch without downloading a third-party app, there is no way to see them on your watch face. To show steps on the Apple Watch face, you have to download a third-party Apple Watch step tracker and add the app's complication to your watch face. Here’s how to track steps on Apple Watch via the Activity app and on your watch face.

Jump To:

• How to Show Steps on Apple Watch Face
• How to See Steps on Apple Watch in the Activity App
• FAQ

How to Show Steps on Apple Watch Face

Unfortunately, the native Activity app complication doesn't include your Apple Watch steps, only your activity rings that reflect your Move, Calorie, and Stand goals. To display steps on the Apple Watch face, you'll have to download a third-party app. My favorite is Pedometer++ (Free) because it also offers several ways to see your steps on your Apple Watch face. Here’s how to see steps on Apple Watch once you've downloaded the Pedometer++ app:

1. Tap and hold your watch face display until it zooms out and you see two buttons at the bottom.
   
   
2. Tap Edit.
   
   
3. Depending on the watch face, you may need to swipe left or right to get to the complications options. On Infograph Modular, you can tap the area where you want to put the complication.
   
   
4. Scroll down to Pedometer and pick the option you want to see. I prefer Steps & Distance. It will save automatically, or you can press the Home button.
   
   

Now you know how to count steps on Apple Watch faces; but if you don't want your steps to be visible on your main watch face, you can add the step complication to a secondary watch face and switch between Apple Watch faces by swiping. To receive more Apple Watch tips, check out our free Tip of the Day newsletter.

How to View Steps on Apple Watch Face from iPhone

1. Open the Watch app.
   
   
2. Tap the My Watch tab, then tap the watch face you want to add the step counter complication to.
   
   
3. Under Complications, select the location you want the complication to go. Pedometer ++ offers complications in various sizes, so they can go in almost every spot.
   
   
4. Scroll down to PEDOMETER and pick the data you want to see. Steps & Distance is a great choice.
   
   
5. If you tap More… you will see many other types of complications. There may be different options depending on the size of the complication that particular watch face allows.
   
   

Now you know how to add steps to Apple Watch faces. Keep in mind that not all watch faces can allow Apple Watch complications. Infograph Modular is my go-to, but you can browse other Apple Watch faces here. Check out our Apple Watch complication article to discover more ways to enhance your watch face.

How to See Steps on Apple Watch in the Activity App

While the Pedometer++ complication allows you to display steps on your Apple Watch face, it may not always give you the most up-to-date data. If you need to see steps on your Apple Watch and only the most up-to-date number will do, it's best to go directly to the Apple Watch Activity app.

1. Open the Activity app on your Apple Watch.
   
   
2. Scroll down using the Digital Crown or with your finger and see your steps under TOTAL STEPS. You can also see the distance tracker info under TOTAL DISTANCE.
   
   

So does Apple Watch track steps? Yes, and now you know how to check steps on Apple Watch and see them directly on your watch face. Next, learn how to see total calories on your watch or learn more about your Apple Watch rings.