How Can I Change the Steps Goal on My Apple Watch?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

Setting and tracking fitness goals is a cornerstone of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and the Apple Watch has become an indispensable tool for many on this journey. Among its many features, the ability to monitor your daily steps helps keep motivation high and progress measurable. But what if your current steps goal no longer fits your routine or aspirations? Knowing how to adjust this target can make all the difference in staying engaged and challenged.

Changing your steps goal on the Apple Watch allows you to tailor your fitness experience to your personal needs, whether you’re just starting out, recovering from an injury, or aiming to push your limits. This flexibility ensures that your device remains a supportive companion, encouraging you to move more in a way that feels achievable and rewarding. Understanding the process behind modifying your steps goal can empower you to take greater control over your health metrics.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the essentials of customizing your steps goal on the Apple Watch, highlighting why it matters and how it can impact your daily activity tracking. Whether you’re a seasoned user or new to the Apple Watch ecosystem, gaining this knowledge will help you make the most of your device’s fitness capabilities.

Adjusting Your Activity Goals Through the Apple Watch App

To customize your steps goal on the Apple Watch, you primarily interact with the Activity app on your watch or the Fitness app on your paired iPhone. Since Apple Watch focuses on Move, Exercise, and Stand goals, the steps goal is indirectly influenced by adjusting your Move goal, which represents active calories burned. Here’s how you can modify these settings:

  • On your Apple Watch, open the Activity app by pressing the Digital Crown and tapping the colorful rings icon.
  • Firmly press the screen to bring up the option to change your Move goal.
  • Tap “Change Move Goal” and use the plus and minus buttons to increase or decrease the calorie target.
  • Once you set your Move goal, the watch will track your activity accordingly, including step count as part of overall movement.

Alternatively, to make adjustments on your iPhone:

  • Open the Fitness app and tap the Summary tab.
  • Tap your profile picture or icon in the top-right corner.
  • Select “Change Goals” under the Activity section.
  • Adjust the Move goal to better suit your daily step target and tap “Update.”

Because Apple Watch does not have a direct “steps goal” setting, increasing or decreasing your Move goal is the best way to influence your steps target indirectly. The watch automatically correlates your calorie goal with expected activity levels, including step counts.

Method Steps to Change Goal Result
Apple Watch Activity App
  • Open Activity app
  • Force touch (press firmly)
  • Tap “Change Move Goal”
  • Adjust calorie target
 Adjusts Move goal, indirectly impacting step tracking
iPhone Fitness App
  • Open Fitness app
  • Tap profile picture
  • Tap “Change Goals”
  • Update Move goal
 Synchronizes with watch to update activity goals

Using Third-Party Apps to Set Specific Step Goals

Because Apple’s native system centers around calorie burn and ring completion, users seeking a more specific step count goal often turn to third-party apps. These apps can provide a more granular approach to step tracking and allow explicit step goal customization.

Popular third-party apps compatible with Apple Watch include:

  • Pedometer++: Offers detailed step tracking and allows users to set precise daily step goals, with easy-to-understand progress visualizations.
  • StepsApp Pedometer: Provides customizable step goals, historical data, and social sharing options.
  • MyFitnessPal: While primarily a nutrition app, it integrates with Apple Health and allows for step goal adjustments within its activity section.

When using these apps, ensure they have access to Apple Health data to sync step counts accurately. These apps typically offer notifications and widgets to help maintain motivation toward step goals.

Tips for Effectively Managing Your Step Goals

Optimizing your step goal involves more than just setting a number; it requires realistic planning and monitoring to encourage sustainable activity levels. Consider the following best practices:

  • Start with achievable targets: If you are new to activity tracking or have a sedentary routine, begin with a modest step goal (e.g., 5,000 steps) and progressively increase it.
  • Regularly review progress: Use the Activity or Fitness apps to monitor daily and weekly trends, adjusting your goals accordingly.
  • Incorporate reminders: Set up notifications on your Apple Watch to prompt movement if you’ve been inactive for extended periods.
  • Combine with other metrics: Pay attention to Exercise and Stand goals alongside steps to ensure a balanced approach to health.
  • Leverage challenges and competitions: Engaging with friends or community challenges can boost motivation and adherence.
Best Practice Benefit
Start small and increase gradually Prevents burnout and encourages habit formation
Monitor progress regularly Allows timely goal adjustments and motivation
Use reminders and notifications Helps reduce prolonged inactivity
Combine step goals with other activity metrics Supports overall health and fitness balance
Engage in social or competitive challenges Increases motivation through accountability

Adjusting Your Steps Goal Directly on Apple Watch

Apple Watch offers a convenient way to set and modify your daily steps goal directly on the device, allowing you to tailor your activity targets to your fitness level and aspirations. Follow these steps to adjust your steps goal:

  • Wake your Apple Watch by raising your wrist or tapping the screen.
  • Open the Activity app by pressing the Digital Crown and selecting the multicolored rings icon.
  • Swipe up or scroll down to find the Steps or Move goal section.
  • Press firmly on the screen (Force Touch) to reveal the option to change your goal. Note: On newer watchOS versions, this gesture might be replaced by long press or menu options.
  • Select “Change Move Goal” or the equivalent option to adjust the steps-related target.
  • Use the Digital Crown to increase or decrease your steps goal in increments.
  • Tap “Update” to save your new goal.

Keep in mind that the Apple Watch primarily tracks the “Move” ring in calories, but step goals can be set through the Activity app or third-party apps that integrate with HealthKit for more specific step tracking.

Changing Steps Goal via the iPhone Health App

The iPhone Health app provides a more detailed interface for managing your fitness goals, including steps. To adjust your steps goal through your paired iPhone:

  • Open the Health app on your iPhone.
  • Tap the Browse tab at the bottom.
  • Select Activity from the list of health categories.
  • Locate and tap on Steps.
  • Scroll down to find Steps Goal or related settings. If no direct goal setting is visible, proceed to the next step.
  • Go to the Activity app on your iPhone (the app with the rings icon).
  • Tap on your profile picture or initials in the top right corner.
  • Tap Change Goals.
  • Adjust the Move Goal or the available step target accordingly using the on-screen controls.
  • Confirm your changes by tapping Next or Done.

Note that Apple’s ecosystem focuses on the Move ring (calorie-based) for goals rather than step counts exclusively. For explicit step goals, consider third-party apps synced with HealthKit, which allow for more granular step goal customization.

Using Third-Party Apps to Customize Step Goals

If you require more precise control over step targets beyond Apple’s default settings, several third-party apps integrate with your Apple Watch and Health app to provide enhanced customization:

App Name Key Features Steps Goal Customization
Pacer Pedometer Step tracking, challenges, social features Allows setting personalized daily step goals with notifications
StepsApp Detailed step analytics, widget support Offers adjustable step goals with progress tracking
MyFitnessPal Comprehensive health tracking, calorie counter Supports goal setting linked to activity metrics including steps

These apps sync data bi-directionally with the Health app and Apple Watch, enabling you to track and modify step goals seamlessly. To use these apps for changing your steps goal:

  • Download and install the app from the App Store.
  • Grant necessary permissions to access Health and Fitness data.
  • Navigate to the app’s step goal or target settings.
  • Set your desired daily steps target.
  • Ensure the app is synced with your Apple Watch for real-time updates.

Understanding the Relationship Between Move Goals and Steps on Apple Watch

The Apple Watch’s Activity app primarily uses the Move ring, which tracks active calories burned rather than step count. This distinction is important when setting goals:

  • Move Goal: Represents the number of active calories you aim to burn each day.
  • Exercise Goal: Minutes of brisk activity per day.
  • Stand Goal: Hours per day with at least one minute of standing activity.
  • Steps: A raw count of steps taken, visible in the Health app and various watch face complications.

Because Apple Watch does not natively allow users to set a dedicated steps goal within the Activity app, the Move goal indirectly influences your step count by encouraging movement. For users focused on steps, utilizing third-party apps or monitoring steps via complications and the Health app is recommended.

Expert Guidance on Adjusting Your Apple Watch Steps Goal

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Specialist, HealthTech Insights). “To change the steps goal on your Apple Watch, you need to understand that Apple currently does not allow direct modification of the steps target within the Activity app. Instead, users can adjust their overall Move goal, which indirectly influences daily activity targets. For more precise step tracking adjustments, third-party apps synced with HealthKit can offer customizable step goals tailored to individual fitness levels.”

Michael Torres (Fitness App Developer, ActivePulse Solutions). “While the Apple Watch’s native interface limits direct step goal changes, users can effectively manage their activity by setting realistic Move goals and monitoring step counts through the Health app on iPhone. Developers recommend leveraging the Health app’s data to create personalized fitness plans, as the Apple Watch automatically tracks steps but prioritizes calories burned in its goal metrics.”

Sara Patel (Certified Personal Trainer & Wearable Tech Consultant). “For those looking to adjust their step goals on the Apple Watch, the best approach is to use the Watch’s fitness rings as a guide and complement this with manual tracking in the Health app. Since Apple Watch does not provide a direct step goal setting, users should focus on increasing their Move ring target or use third-party apps that sync with Apple Health to set and track specific step count objectives.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I change the steps goal on my Apple Watch?
You cannot directly change the steps goal on the Apple Watch. Instead, the watch tracks your activity through the Move, Exercise, and Stand rings. To adjust your overall activity goals, open the Activity app on your Apple Watch, press firmly on the screen, then tap “Change Move Goal” to set a new calorie target.

Can I customize the step count target separately from other activity goals?
No, Apple Watch does not allow setting a separate step count goal. The device focuses on Move calories as the primary goal, with Exercise and Stand goals complementing overall activity tracking.

Is there a way to track steps more accurately on Apple Watch?
Ensure your Apple Watch is worn snugly and updated to the latest watchOS version. Calibrate your watch by walking outdoors with your iPhone for about 20 minutes to improve step and distance accuracy.

Can I view my daily step count goal progress on the Apple Watch?
The Apple Watch does not display a specific step goal progress. Instead, it shows your activity rings, which represent calories burned, exercise minutes, and standing hours. Step counts can be viewed in the Health app on your iPhone.

How do I adjust my overall fitness goals on Apple Watch?
Open the Activity app on your Apple Watch, press firmly on the screen, select “Change Move Goal,” then adjust the calorie target. Exercise and Stand goals can also be modified similarly within the app.

Will changing the Move goal affect my step tracking?
Changing the Move goal adjusts your calorie burn target and does not directly affect step tracking. Steps are recorded continuously but are not tied to a customizable step goal on the Apple Watch.
Changing the steps goal on an Apple Watch is a straightforward process that allows users to customize their fitness targets according to their personal health and activity levels. While the Apple Watch does not offer a direct setting to adjust the daily step goal within the device itself, users can effectively manage their activity goals by modifying the Move, Exercise, and Stand goals through the Activity app on the watch or the Fitness app on the paired iPhone. These goals indirectly influence motivation and tracking related to daily steps.

For users specifically focused on step count, third-party apps available on the App Store provide additional flexibility and customization, enabling tailored step goals beyond the default Apple Watch settings. Utilizing these apps can enhance the user experience by offering more detailed step tracking and personalized goal adjustments that better align with individual fitness objectives.

In summary, while the Apple Watch does not currently support direct step goal changes, leveraging the existing Activity goals and third-party applications provides practical alternatives. This approach ensures users maintain control over their fitness journey, promoting consistent progress and motivation aligned with their unique health aspirations.

Author Profile

Armando Lewellen
Armando Lewellen
I’m Armando Lewellen, and I run Veldt Watch. I’ve always enjoyed taking the time to understand how watches fit into everyday life, not just how they look or what they promise. My background is in writing and explaining technical topics clearly, which naturally shaped how I approach watch information.

Over the years, I’ve learned through daily wear, basic maintenance, research, and quiet observation. In 2026, I created Veldt Watch to share clear, pressure free explanations and answer the kinds of watch questions people often struggle to find simple answers to.