What does resetting calibration on Apple Watch do?

Answered by Jarrod Smith

Resetting calibration on the Apple Watch is a process that essentially resets the accelerometer to its factory settings. This means that any previous calibration data, which helps the watch accurately track your activity, will be erased. However, it’s important to note that this process will not delete any of your previous activity data.

So, why would you want to reset calibration? Well, sometimes the Apple Watch can struggle to report accurate activity, which can be frustrating if you rely on it to monitor your progress. In such cases, resetting the calibration data can help recalibrate the accelerometer and potentially improve the accuracy of your activity tracking.

To reset the calibration on your Apple Watch, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your watch.
2. Scroll down and tap on “Privacy.”
3. Tap on “Motion & Fitness.”
4. Look for the option that says “Reset Calibration Data” and tap on it.
5. A confirmation message will appear, asking if you want to reset the calibration data. Tap on “Reset Calibration Data” again to confirm.

After the reset, your Apple Watch will start from scratch in terms of activity calibration. This means that it will need some time to learn and adapt to your movements again. It’s recommended to wear your watch during normal activities for a few days to allow it to recalibrate itself.

During this recalibration period, it’s important to keep in mind that the accuracy of your activity tracking may be temporarily affected. However, with time, the watch should start to provide more accurate readings as it relearns your movements.

In my personal experience, I’ve found that resetting the calibration on my Apple Watch can indeed improve its activity tracking accuracy. There have been times when my watch seemed to overestimate or underestimate my activity levels, and a calibration reset helped to resolve those issues. However, it’s worth noting that this may not work for everyone, and there could be other factors at play that affect the accuracy of activity tracking.

Resetting calibration on the Apple Watch is a useful troubleshooting step if you’re experiencing inaccuracies in activity tracking. It allows the watch to start fresh and recalibrate itself to better understand your movements. Give it a try if you’re having issues, but remember that it may take some time for the watch to regain its accuracy.