How Can You Change Your Step Goal on Apple Watch?

Setting and adjusting fitness goals is a key part of staying motivated and tracking your progress, especially when it comes to daily step counts. If you’re an Apple Watch user looking to tailor your step goal to better fit your lifestyle or fitness ambitions, knowing how to make that change can help you stay on track and push yourself just the right amount. Whether you’re aiming to increase your activity or dial it back for a more manageable target, customizing your step goal ensures your Apple Watch reflects your personal journey.

Changing your step goal on the Apple Watch isn’t just about numbers—it’s about creating a fitness experience that’s uniquely yours. As your routines evolve, so should your goals, allowing you to challenge yourself appropriately or celebrate milestones that matter most. This flexibility helps maintain motivation and keeps your fitness routine aligned with your current needs.

In the following sections, we’ll explore how you can easily adjust your step goal on the Apple Watch, empowering you to take full control of your daily activity tracking. By understanding the options available, you’ll be better equipped to set realistic, achievable targets that inspire you every day.

Adjusting Your Step Goal Directly on Apple Watch

While the Apple Watch automatically tracks your activity, it doesn’t offer a direct method to change the step goal through the device’s native Activity app. Instead, the watch allows you to modify your Move goal, which influences your overall activity targets. However, to specifically adjust your step goal, you typically need to use the paired iPhone’s Health or Fitness app.

If you want to tailor your activity goals on the Apple Watch itself, focus on these alternatives:

Change the Move Goal: This is the default activity metric on Apple Watch, measured in active calories burned. Adjusting this affects your overall activity rings.
Track Steps via Workouts: Although step goals can’t be changed directly, monitoring steps during workouts provides insight into your progress.
Use Third-Party Apps: Some apps offer customizable step goals and sync with Apple Health for more personalized step tracking.

To modify your Move goal on the Apple Watch:

Open the Activity app on your Apple Watch.
Firmly press on the screen (Force Touch) until the option to Change Move Goal appears.
Tap the + or – buttons to increase or decrease your daily calorie goal.
Confirm by tapping Update.

This adjustment indirectly influences your step tracking motivation, though the exact step count target remains managed on the iPhone.

Changing Step Goals Using the iPhone Health and Fitness Apps

To set or adjust a specific step goal, utilize the iPhone’s Health or Fitness apps, which provide more comprehensive customization options.

Using the Fitness App:

Open the Fitness app on your iPhone.
Tap the Sharing or Summary tab to locate your activity goals.
Scroll to the bottom and select Change Goals.
Adjust your Move, Exercise, and Stand goals here. Although there is no direct step goal setting, increasing the Move goal encourages more steps.
Tap Next and confirm your new goals.

Using the Health App:

Launch the Health app.
Tap the Browse tab and select Activity.
Choose Steps to view your daily step data.
While direct step goal setting is unavailable here, you can monitor trends and set reminders for daily targets.
Utilize the Add Data button to manually log steps if desired.

For precise step goal customization, consider third-party apps that integrate with Apple Health. These apps allow for setting explicit step targets and provide notifications to keep you on track.

Third-Party Apps for Custom Step Goals

Many fitness apps enhance the Apple Watch and iPhone experience by offering customizable step targets and detailed analytics. Popular choices include:

Pacer Pedometer: Allows setting daily step goals, tracking progress, and syncing with Apple Health.
StepsApp: Offers personalized goals, step tracking, and motivational insights.
MyFitnessPal: Integrates step data with overall fitness and nutrition tracking.

These apps often provide:

Notifications and reminders to reach your step target.
Historical data visualization.
Social sharing features for motivation.

By syncing with Apple Health, these apps ensure your step data remains centralized and accessible.

Common Troubleshooting Tips When Adjusting Step Goals

If you encounter issues while trying to adjust or track your step goals, consider the following troubleshooting approaches:

Ensure Software is Updated: Both your iPhone and Apple Watch should run the latest versions of iOS and watchOS.
Verify Health and Fitness Permissions: Confirm that apps have the necessary permissions to read and write health data.
Restart Devices: A simple reboot of your Apple Watch and iPhone can resolve syncing issues.
Check Sensor Functionality: The Apple Watch’s accelerometer must be functioning correctly to track steps accurately.
Reset Fitness Calibration Data: Go to the Apple Watch app on iPhone, tap Privacy, then Reset Fitness Calibration Data.

Issue	Possible Cause	Recommended Action
Step count not updating	Sync failure between Watch and iPhone	Toggle Bluetooth off/on and restart both devices
Unable to change Move goal	Using outdated watchOS version	Update Apple Watch to latest watchOS
Step data inaccurate	Improper watch fit or sensor issues	Adjust watch strap for snug fit and recalibrate

Adjusting Your Step Goal Using the Activity App on Apple Watch

The Apple Watch does not allow direct modification of the step goal itself because it primarily tracks movement through the Activity rings—Move, Exercise, and Stand. However, you can customize your daily Move goal, which indirectly influences your overall activity tracking, including steps. Here’s how to adjust your Move goal, which is often used as a proxy for step goals:

Open the Activity app on your Apple Watch. The app icon resembles three concentric rings.
Force Touch the screen by pressing firmly until the screen changes to show the option to change your Move goal.
Tap “Change Move Goal.”
Adjust your calorie goal by tapping the plus or minus buttons to increase or decrease your daily calorie burn target, which reflects your activity level.
Tap “Update” to confirm the new goal.

While this process adjusts the Move goal in calories, it influences your motivation to walk more steps daily, aligning with your desired activity level.

Monitoring Step Count on Apple Watch and iPhone

Although the Apple Watch’s Activity app centers on Move, Exercise, and Stand goals, you can monitor your actual step count through the Health app on your paired iPhone or via third-party apps on your watch. This step count is automatically tracked but not customizable as a goal within the watch interface.

Device	App	Functionality	Custom Step Goal Setting
Apple Watch	Activity	Tracks Move, Exercise, Stand; displays Move goal in calories	Not available for steps; only Move goal adjustable
iPhone	Health	Tracks detailed step count and walking distance	Displays data; no built-in step goal setting
Apple Watch	Third-party apps (e.g., Pedometer++, Stepz)	Tracks steps with ability to set custom step goals	Available within the app

Using Third-Party Apps to Set Custom Step Goals

For users seeking a specific step goal target rather than calorie-based Move goals, third-party pedometer apps provide customizable step goal settings and enhanced step tracking features.

Popular third-party apps for step goals include:

Pedometer++: Offers customizable daily step goals with detailed historical data and notifications.
Stepz: Provides step tracking, custom goal setting, and motivational alerts.
MyFitnessPal: Integrates step data and allows goal adjustments within a broader fitness tracking ecosystem.

Steps to set your step goal using a third-party app:

Download and install the preferred pedometer app from the App Store on your Apple Watch or iPhone.
Open the app on your Apple Watch.
Navigate to the settings or goals section within the app.
Set your desired daily step goal according to your personal fitness objectives.
Allow the app to sync with your Health data to accurately track your steps.

These apps provide more granular control over step goals and are recommended for users focused primarily on step count rather than calorie expenditure.

Considerations When Changing Your Activity Targets

Adjusting your Move goal or setting a custom step goal should be aligned with your overall fitness strategy. Consider the following factors to optimize your activity tracking:

Current Fitness Level: Set realistic goals based on your baseline activity to avoid injury or discouragement.
Health Conditions: Consult with a healthcare professional if you have medical conditions affecting mobility.
Consistency: Gradually increase your step goal or Move goal to build sustainable habits.
Data Accuracy: Ensure your Apple Watch fits correctly on your wrist to improve step count accuracy.
Complementary Metrics: Use Exercise and Stand goals along with step tracking for a holistic activity profile.

By integrating these considerations with your goal adjustments, you maximize the benefits of using your Apple Watch as a fitness companion.

Summary of Steps to Change or Set Step Goals on Apple Watch

Expert Insights on Adjusting Your Step Goal on Apple Watch

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Specialist, HealthTech Innovations). Changing your step goal on the Apple Watch is a straightforward process that empowers users to tailor their fitness targets to their personal health needs. By accessing the Activity app on the watch and pressing firmly on the screen, users can select “Change Move Goal” and adjust their daily step count objective. This customization helps maintain motivation and aligns with evolving fitness levels.

Michael Torres (Certified Fitness Trainer and Apple Watch Expert). It’s important to regularly update your step goal on the Apple Watch to reflect changes in your activity patterns or fitness ambitions. The watch’s interface allows for seamless adjustments, which can be done directly on the device without needing the paired iPhone. Setting realistic goals encourages consistent progress and helps prevent burnout or injury.

Sarah Patel (Digital Health Consultant and Author). From a user experience perspective, the Apple Watch’s ability to customize step goals enhances user engagement by providing a sense of control over personal health metrics. Users should consider their baseline activity and gradually increase their step goals to foster sustainable habits. The watch’s reminders and progress tracking features complement this goal-setting process effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I change my step goal on Apple Watch?
Open the Activity app on your Apple Watch, firmly press the screen, then tap “Change Move Goal.” Adjust the goal using the plus and minus buttons, then tap “Update” to save your new step goal.

Can I set a custom step goal on the Apple Watch?
Yes, you can customize your step goal by manually adjusting the Move goal in the Activity app, which indirectly influences your daily step target.

Is it possible to change the step goal from the iPhone instead of the Apple Watch?
No, step goals must be adjusted directly on the Apple Watch through the Activity app; the iPhone’s Health or Fitness apps do not provide an option to change the step goal.

Will changing my step goal affect other activity metrics on the Apple Watch?
Changing your step goal updates your daily activity target but does not affect other metrics like calories burned or exercise minutes, which are tracked separately.

How often can I change my step goal on the Apple Watch?
You can change your step goal as often as you like, allowing you to adjust your fitness targets based on your progress and needs.

What should I do if my Apple Watch does not allow me to change the step goal?
Ensure your watchOS is updated to the latest version, restart your Apple Watch, and try again. If the issue persists, contact Apple Support for further assistance.
Changing your step goal on the 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 have a direct setting to adjust the step goal within the device itself, users can effectively manage their activity goals, including steps, through the paired iPhone’s Health or Activity app. This integration ensures that your fitness objectives remain aligned with your progress and motivation.

It is important to note that the Apple Watch primarily focuses on Move, Exercise, and Stand goals, but step count can be monitored and influenced by adjusting these related activity goals. By setting realistic and achievable targets, users can maintain consistent motivation and track their improvements over time. Additionally, third-party apps that sync with the Apple Watch can offer more granular control over step goals if needed.

Ultimately, understanding how to adjust and monitor your step goal on the Apple Watch empowers you to take greater control of your fitness journey. Regularly reviewing and modifying your goals based on your activity patterns can lead to improved health outcomes and sustained engagement with your fitness routine. Leveraging the Apple Watch’s comprehensive tracking features ensures that your step goals are both meaningful and attainable.

Author Profile

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.

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Method	Steps to Adjust	Limitations
Change Move Goal (Calories)	Open Activity app on watch Force Touch screen Tap “Change Move Goal” Adjust calories Tap “Update”	Does not directly set step goal