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How to sync your Samsung Galaxy Watch with Strava
If you’re an avid runner or cyclist, you may have heard of Strava. The versatile platform is among the best for tracking workouts and exercises on the open road. Pair this with a Samsung Galaxy Watch and Samsung Health, and you have a powerful fitness tracking solution, especially when syncing the two platforms. But how do you do that? Here’s everything you need to know about syncing your Galaxy Watch with Strava.
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You can sync Strava with Samsung Health by opening the latter on your phone, heading to Settings then selecting Services. Log in with your Strava data and Authorize the sync.
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There are two ways to use Strava with the Samsung Galaxy Watch. Firstly, you can install the app directly on your watch to track exercises. Alternatively, you can sync your health data garnered by Samsung Health to Strava. We’ll detail how to set up each method below.
Using the Strava app on the Galaxy Watch
The Strava app on your Galaxy Watch will let you access the platform’s sport tracking modes. The data garnered here will also be stored on the platform for later viewing.
How to install Strava on the Galaxy Watch
- Open the Play Store on the Galaxy Watch.
- Search for Strava and tap Install. You will also need to install the Strava app on your phone.
- Once installed, open the Strava app.
- You’ll be asked to log in to the Strava app on your phone. Enter your login details.
- Next, authorize Strava for Wear OS to connect to Strava. Tap Authorize, then tap Allow on the following screen.
- Strava should now be available on your Galaxy Watch.
How to use the Strava app on the Galaxy Watch
Strava tracks a host of exercises on the Samsung Galaxy Watch. Select any available workouts and sports profiles and start them directly from your wrist.
- First-time users may have to allow Strava permissions to read health data from the watch and access location. Accept all of these as they appear on your watch.
- You’ll then be asked to accept Strava’s terms before continuing. Tap Accept.
- The app will then attempt to lock on to your location. Give it a few seconds to minutes to complete this task. Alternatively, you can tap Start to initiate the workout.
Runners and cyclists can also toggle on Auto Pause under the Settings menu.
Syncing Strava and Samsung Health
If you don’t want to use Strava’s app on your watch but still want to sync your data, you can sync Samsung Health and Strava instead. This is a better option if you still want to use Strava to analyze your activity but prefer Samsung Health to do the tracking.
How to sync Samsung Health and Strava
- Open the Samsung Health app on your phone.
- Tap the three-dot menu button in the top-right corner, and select Settings > Services > toggle on Strava.
- Log in to Strava and tap Authorize.
- Strava should now be synced with Samsung Health.
What data is synced between the two services?
Once the two services are connected, Samsung Health will automatically acquire data from Strava, including route information, activity, distance, calories burned, and total workout time. In return, Strava will gain GPS-based exercise data from Samsung Health.
There are two important things to note as well. Firstly, non-GPS exercises (think elliptical and treadmill) will not sync to Strava. Additionally, if you have another third-party service connected to Strava and uploading its data to the service, it will also be synced with Samsung Health.
To disable Strava sync in Samsung Health, return to the Services section and toggle off Strava.
Samsung Health not syncing with Strava, and other issues
If you run into problems syncing Strava with Samsung Health, here are a few troubleshooting steps:
- Uninstall and reinstall Strava: Any issues related to the app on your Samsung watch or phone could be rectified by uninstalling the Strava app on both. You’ll need to reconnect your account to both devices.
- Ensure your GPS is on: Only activities that have GPS data will sync to Strava. Indoor activities and fixed workouts will not be scooped up by Strava. In short, ensure that your Samsung Galaxy Watch’s GPS is on and locked on when using Strava.
- Reboot your smartwatch: If you suspect the issue lies with your watch itself, reboot it. Our Samsung Galaxy Watch problems guide provides other solutions to watch-related issues.
FAQs
Usually the main issue is related to permissions. On your Galaxy Watch, head to Settings > Privacy > Permissions and check if Strava is allowed access.
You can use Strava without paying for the service; however, to gain more specific training features, you’ll need to pay a premium.
Strava is an app that tracks your runs and rides with GPS information and lets you analyze this data at a later date. There are additional social features, too, to keep you motivated.