Many reported that the Apple Watch Ultra is not showing elevation. Users have said that the number stays zero no matter how high they climb. Meanwhile, the rest of the Watch Ultra features work flawlessly. The elevation number remains constant when the users are hiking or biking in the mountains. We have suggested a few reasons and solutions solve the Watch Ultra issues.
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Why is My Apple Watch Ultra Not Showing Elevation?
Read the suggestions because you can solve the Watch Ultra elevation issues if you know the root cause. Many users don’t know how to use the advanced features of the Watch. Apple did its best to design a plug & play smart device.
watchOS Bugs:
The Cupertino-based company releases a new edition yearly for the Apple Watch Ultra. Software stability is a big question when the company focuses on releasing a new one each year. I never recommend anyone updating the software in the first week. I have covered a solution to counter software-related problems.
Connectivity Bugs & Glitches:
You need an iPhone to use the Watch Ultra.
Do you know how iPhone creates a connection with the smartwatch?
The iPhone depends on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology for the connection. I was struggling to connect my Bluetooth headsets to the Linux laptop. The BT and Wi-Fi technology has bugs and glitches.
Elevation Settings Disabled:
You have to enable a couple of options in the Apple Watch Ultra for the elevation feature to work. I have shown you how to find two options on the iPhone.
Tracking Settings Disabled:
Apple Watch Ultra comes in handy for health-conscious individuals. I spend thirty to forty minutes to workout every day. The smartwatch tracks the number of steps and calories burned through motion tracking. However, the smartwatch can’t monitor your body movements without assistance from the iPhone.
Reset Compass and Recalibrate:
The compass app tracks the direction of the device and records the movement. Reset the compass in the watchOS and recalibrate. I have shown you how to reset and recalibrate the compass app.
FIX: Apple Watch Ultra Not Showing Elevation
Some of the solutions delete the watchOS data of Apple Pay. Kindly, create a backup in iCloud or local storage. Don’t regret your actions later. Use the cloud service or save the backup files on the PC using iTunes.
Shutdown iPhone and Watch Ultra
Your iPhone and Watch Ultra don’t get rest. Almost everyone keeps their devices running for months without sleep. Shut down the smart devices periodically.
Let me show you how to turn off an iPhone without a broken Side button.
1. Tap the “Settings” app.
2. Swipe down.
3. Open the “General” settings.
4. Swipe down.
5. Tap the “Shutdown” button.
Let your device sleep for a minimum of ten minutes.
1. Remove the charger.
2. Press and hold the Side button.
3. Tap the Power button from the options.
4. Drag the power slider to the right side.
Let your Watch Ultra sleep for ten minutes. Turning off the devices gives time to dissipate the heat and dumps the temporary files. The software starts the background processes, drivers, services, and apps in the next boot. You are solving hardware and software problems with one arrow.
Re-pair Apple Watch Ultra
I told you about my experience with BT and Wi-Fi devices. Remove the Watch Ultra from the iPhone and pair them.
1. Pick up your iPhone and keep the Watch Ultra nearby.
2. Open the Watch app on your phone.
3. Tap the “All Watches” option.
4. Tap the (i) info icon to view more options.
5. Tap the “Unpair Apple Watch Ultra” button at the bottom.
Remove the smart device from the iPhone. Restart iPhone and Watch Ultra. Pair the Watch with the smartphone. I have shown you another solution, then erase the smartwatch.
Turn On Location Services
The Apple Watch uses the iPhone location services to track physical movements. The Watch Ultra pairs with the iPhone to take advantage of the built-in features. Go to the Location services and turn on the service for the smartwatch.
1. Open the “Settings” app.
2. Choose the “Privacy” option.
3. Tap the “Location Services” option.
4. Enable the Location Services on the iPhone.
5. Swipe down.
6. Tap the “Apple Watch Workout” option.
7. You got three options.
a. Never
b. Ask Next Time
c. While Using the App
8. Choose the third option, “While Using the App” from the selection.
9. Close the “Settings” app.
Restart the Watch Ultra and check the elevation function. The elevation feature works after a few minutes.
Enable Motion & Fitness Function
The Watch Ultra has many features in the device. However, Apple designed the smartwatch to work with the iPhone and utilize the functions at maximum capacity. Allow the motion and fitness function in the iPhone, and it tracks the movements.
1. Open the “Settings” app.
2. Choose the “Privacy” option.
3. Tap the “Location Services” option.
4. Swipe down.
5. Choose the “Motion & Fitness” option.
6. Toggle to enable the “Fitness Tracking” function.
7. Toggle to enable the “Health” function.
Restart the iPhone and Watch Ultra to end the session. The elevation readings appear on the screen in the next boot. The elevation feature works after a few minutes.
Turn On/Off Motion and Compass Calibration
You can turn on/off the calibration settings on the iPhone. Let me show you how to find those options and force the system to recalibrate the compass and motion.
1. Open the “Settings” app.
2. Choose the “Privacy” option.
3. Tap the “Location Services” option.
4. Swipe down.
5. Choose the “System Services” option.
6. Turn off the “Compass Calibration” & “Motion Calibration & Distance” options.
7. Turn on the “Compass Calibration” & “Motion Calibration & Distance” options.
Check the Watch Ultra elevation readings. I request the readers to wait for a moment because it takes a few minutes for the elevation to work.
Reinstall Compass App
The Watch Ultra uses Compass calibration to identify your environment. Reinstall the Compass app and recalibrate for accurate readings.
1. Expand the Utility folder on the Home Screen.
2. Tap and hold the “Compass” app.
3. Release and tap the “Remove App” option.
4. Tap on the “Delete App” option.
5. Tap on the “Delete App” option.
6. Reinstall Compass from the App Store.
7. Recalibrate the app.
Restart the iPhone and Watch Ultra after recalibrating the Compass app.
Turn On Use True North
The Earth’s natural magnetism order differs depending on the region and location. Meanwhile, the True Noth points to the geographical location of the North Pole. Turn on the True North, but it’s useless if the magnetic field in the region is unstable.
1. Open the “Settings” app.
2. Swipe down.
3. Choose the “Compass” app.
4. Tap the “Use True North” option.
5. True North is enabled on the iPhone.
Find out whether the magnetic field in your physical location interrupts the compass readings. None of the solutions will work if the magnetic field in the mountains is crazy.
Erase Watch Ultra and Pair Again
Erase the Watch Ultra. We will set up the Apple Watch as a new device in the iPhone. Create a backup of the smartwatch data n the iOS device.
1. I have shown you how to remove the smartwatch from the iPhone.
2. Unlock the Watch Ultra and open the “Settings” app.
3. Choose “General” from the watchOS settings.
4. Swipe down.
5. Tap the “Reset” option.
6. You got two options on the screen.
7. Tap the “Erase All Content and Settings” option.
8. Swipe down.
You can read what the watchOS will delete in the process.
9. Tap the “Erase All” option.
10. The loading bar appears on the screen.
11. The progress circle shows up on the screen.
12. The Apple logo appears.
13. The progress circle appears again with the Apple logo in the center.
14. Wait until the Watch Ultra tells you to bring the iPhone nearby.
15. Bring the iPhone and Apple Watch closer.
Pair the smartwatch with the iOS device. Set up the devices and wait a few minutes for the elevation to show the readings.
Bottom Line
You can force restart the Apple Watch Ultra when elevation readings are not showing on the screen. Visit the Apple service center if none of the solutions work out for you. There must be a problem with the sensor in the iPhone or Apple Watch Ultra. Let us know which solution solved your problem in the comment section.