GPS positioning fails or is slow or the outdoor workout routes are inaccurate on my HUAWEI watch/band

Start an outdoor workout in an open area

GPS signals are greatly affected by environmental factors, including high-rise buildings, signal reflections, interference from metal objects, and surface reflections from large bodies of water (such as lakes or seas). As a result, GPS positioning may be slow or the workout route may be inaccurate. In an open outdoor environment without obstructions, the positioning accuracy can reach 5 meters, and when in environments with obstructions, the accuracy will be 20 meters. It is recommended that you exercise in an open area with as few obstructions as possible for your watch/band to provide optimal workout services.

If there is no GPS signal in your current location (such as when you are indoors and in tunnels), GPS positioning will not work.

To make the routes of a track run more accurate, please do it on a standard 400-meter playground runway.

Start a workout in advance to allow time for the GPS to locate your watch/band

It may take some time for your watch/band to be located. You can start GPS positioning 5 to 10 minutes before you start an outdoor workout (such as before you arrive at the workout field or when you are warming up), in order to give the device time to display a message indicating that the device has been successfully located before you start exercising. This will help you get more accurate route records.

Wait until the device is located before starting an outdoor workout, as shown in the following figures.

Otherwise, the workout route may be inaccurate or the distance may be incorrectly calculated.

Keep the satellite data on your watch/band up to date

Satellite data is required to use GPS positioning on your wearable device. Check the satellite data at least every 1 to 2 days to ensure that it is updated. The update method is as follows:

• Make sure that your phone's network is normal and keep your watch/band connected to the Huawei Health app for 5 to 10 minutes before you start an outdoor workout, in order to automatically update the GPS satellite data of your watch/band.
• If you are using a HUAWEI WATCH Series device, in addition to connecting the device to Huawei Health, you will also need to connect your watch to a Wi-Fi network, or activate the eSIM service and use mobile data, to update the satellite data.
• You can also open your wearable device, go to Settings/Workout > Workout settings > Location Services > Satellite updates > Update to view the validity period of satellite data, and manually update the data. (If this option cannot be found, it indicates feature unavailability. In this case, refer to the preceding methods to complete the update.)
   

  • What is satellite data? Why do I need to keep the satellite data on my watch/band up to date?

  Simply put, satellite data contains the data used for GPS positioning, such as satellite orbit information and the satellite status. With updated satellite data, your watch/band can more accurately locate your position and map your workout routes. However, satellite data is constantly changing. If the data is not updated for some time, the positioning speed and accuracy of your watch/band will be affected. Therefore, it is recommended that you update the satellite data on your watch/band at your earliest convenience.

Wear a non-metal watch/band strap for outdoor workouts

Metal straps affect GPS positioning. It is recommended that you use a non-metal strap, such as a fluoroelastomer or leather strap, for outdoor workouts. If you would like to use a metal strap, see the following to improve the accuracy of positioning and routes.

Connect your watch/band to the Huawei Health app and take your phone with you when doing an outdoor workout

It is recommended that you set the location permission in the Huawei Health app to Always in advance, pair your watch/band with the Huawei Health app before you start a workout, and take your phone with you during the workout. To set the location permission (taking a HUAWEI phone as an example): Go to Settings > Apps & services > Permissions. On the app screen, tap the Huawei Health app and then Location, and select Always. If you are using a third-party phone, please contact your phone manufacturer.

• Start an outdoor workout in the Huawei Health app, take your phone with you during the workout. Your phone will use its GPS to locate and track your workout, and this can improve the accuracy of your workout route.
• Keep your watch/band connected to the Huawei Health app, start an outdoor workout on your watch/band, and take your phone with you during the workout. Your phone will use its GPS to locate and track your workout, and this can improve the accuracy of your workout route. (This method is applicable to phones running EMUI 5.0/HarmonyOS 2.0/iOS 9.0 or later.)

HUAWEI WATCH Series performs worse in positioning than HUAWEI WATCH GT Series

HUAWEI WATCH Series adopts a high-performance processor, which supports independent calling, Wi-Fi connection, and eSIM-based independent network, and therefore may cause slight interference to GPS signals. This is normal and does not indicate an issue with your device.

To learn more

[HUAWEI] The distance/speed is inaccurate after I start an outdoor workout on my watch/band