iOS tutorial: how to use the Health app to count steps, distances and floors, without accessories or third-party apps (Updated 2018)

2018 Update: Article updated for iOS 12

In ourlong series of iOS how-to articles, we have already taken an interest in the iPhone health application. It was then a matter ofcreate the emergency form, accessible on the phone without having to unlock it.

Today, while there is a multitude of connected health accessories, more or less sophisticated, we must remember that the Health app canquite suitable for basic monitoring of your activity. However, you must have an iPhone 5s or newer, since activity tracking is supported by the motion sensorCoreMotion.

Here is where to consult the monitoring of your activity measured by the iPhone and how to configure it:

First of all, you must check if the iPhone takes advantage of the integrated motion sensor, and that the collection of data from the latter is permitted:

go toSettings > Privacy > Movements & Fitness

activate the switch corresponding to “Fitness tracking”, if it is not already activated
check that the switch corresponding to “Health” is also activated

This way, you can be sure that the iPhone is indeed taking advantage of its motion sensor. To consult the data collected, however, here is the procedure to follow:

go to the “Sources” tab of the Health app
then on “iPhone x”, in the paragraphDevices
then choose one of the activities between “Distance”, “Floors climbed”, “Number of steps”, “Standing hours” or “Exercise minutes” to display the corresponding detail

Note that this data is aggregated on the main page of the Health app, i.e. the “Today” tab, in the corresponding headings: Number of steps, End times, etc.

This page also allows you to benefit from graphs which probably better reflect your efforts.

So much for activity tracking based on the iPhone's motion and altitude sensors. Note thatonly iPhone 5s and newer are capable of reporting such data.

This can in any case be practical if you do not have a connected activity tracking bracelet or an Apple Watch. Still, if you want more in-depth monitoring, the Apple watch isone of the best allies in this area. The modelSeries 4released in fall 2018 is particularly well equipped andavailable for sale here. See alsoour unboxing of the Apple Watch Series 4 in photos and video.

Do you use iPhone to track your daily activity?

Everything you need to know about iOS 12is grouped in our guide here. And thelatest iOS 12 information can be found here, dont :