Apple recently added a Track Detection feature to its Workout app on Apple Watch Series 4 and newer models. Keep reading to learn what it does and how you can take advantage of it.

Apple Watch Track Detection
With the release of watchOS 9.2, Apple introduced its promised Track Detection feature for supported Apple Watch models. The software update means that your watch can now tell when you are at a running track, and ask you if you want to choose a lane.

Track Detection works by using a combination of Apple Maps data and your watch's GPS to automatically recognize when you're at a standard 400 meter World Athletics (IAAF) running track. As of writing, the feature is available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

To use the feature, simply follow the steps below. Bear in mind that Track Detection is not supported on Apple Watch Series 3 and older models, as these devices cannot run watchOS 9.2. To check your Apple Watch is up-to-date with the latest software, ope the Watch app on your iPhone and go to General -> Software Update. To install new software, your Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of your ‌‌‌‌‌‌iPhone‌‌‌‌‌‌.

How to Start a Running Track Workout

  1. Launch the Workout app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Tap Outdoor Run.
  3. If your Apple Watch detects that you're at a track, you'll be prompted to choose a lane: Tap Choose Lane.
  4. Use the plus and minus buttons to choose a lane, then tap Confirm.
  5. If this is the first time you've performed a Track workout, choose a measurement unit (Miles or Meters), then tap Confirm.

If you leave a track during your workout, your Apple Watch will display an alert telling you so. If you change lanes while you're working out, swipe right on the watch face, tap Lane, then enter your new lane.

track detection
When you've finished your run, you'll get a route map in your workout summary that provides you with what Apple says is lane-level precision. If you have an Apple Watch Ultra, which is equipped with dual-frequency GPS, it should be even more precise.

How to Enable Lap Alerts

You can receive an alert that shows your distance, time, and pace when completing a lap around the track by following these steps.

  1. Launch the Workout app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Tap the ellipsis icon (the three dots) inside the Outdoor Run card.
  3. Tap Alerts.
  4. Turn the Digital Crown up, tap Track Lap, then turn on Lap Alert.

The impressive thing about Track Detection is that, unlike some dedicated running watches, no calibration is necessary. Apple Watch can even switch to track mode in the middle of a regular run if it detects that you've arrived at a track.

Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18

10 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18.2

Thursday October 31, 2024 9:42 am PDT by
Apple is set to release iOS 18.2 in December, bringing the second round of Apple Intelligence features to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models. This update brings several major advancements to Apple's AI integration, including completely new image generation tools and a range of Visual Intelligence-based enhancements. There are a handful of new non-AI related feature controls incoming as well. ...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 Cinema 4D Slack Finder Xcode 1

Apple Announces MacBook Pro Models With M4 Pro and M4 Max Chips, Thunderbolt 5 Support, and More

Wednesday October 30, 2024 8:01 am PDT by
Apple today announced new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models featuring M4 Pro and M4 Max chips, alongside a new entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the M4 chip. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The new M4 Pro and M4 Max machines come with a minimum of 24GB of Unified Memory as standard, up from 18GB in the previous models. Both models feature three...
M4 Pro on Blue

M4 Pro Chip Benchmark Results Reveal an Extremely Impressive Performance Feat

Thursday October 31, 2024 7:06 pm PDT by
The first Geekbench 6 benchmark results for the M4 Pro chip surfaced today. Impressively, the results that are available so far show that the highest-end M4 Pro chip is faster than the highest-end M2 Ultra chip in terms of peak multi-core CPU performance. Here is a comparison of the results: Mac mini with M4 Pro (14-core CPU): 22,094 multi-core score (average of 11 results) Mac Studio...
m3 macbook air blue

Apple Announces MacBook Air Now Starts With Increased 16GB of RAM With No Price Increase

Wednesday October 30, 2024 8:04 am PDT by
Apple today in its new MacBook Pro press release announced that the MacBook Air lineup now starts with 16GB of RAM, up from 8GB previously. This change applies to the 13-inch model with the M2 chip, the 13-inch model with the M3 chip, and the 15-inch model with the M3 chip. In the U.S., the MacBook Air lineup continues to start at $999, so there is no price increase associated with the...
maxresdefault

Apple Announces Redesigned Mac Mini With M4 and M4 Pro Chips, Two Front USB-C Ports, and More

Tuesday October 29, 2024 8:01 am PDT by
Apple today announced fully redesigned Mac mini models featuring the M4 and M4 Pro chips, a considerably smaller casing, two front-facing USB-C ports, Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, and more. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The product refresh marks the first time the Mac mini has been redesigned in over a decade. The enclosure now measures just five by five inches...
Apple iPhone SE 4 5G Modem 1

iPhone SE 4 First to Get Apple-Designed 5G Modem, iPhone 17 Pro to Add Custom Wi-Fi 7 Chip

Friday November 1, 2024 4:04 am PDT by
The iPhone SE 4 that's set to come out early next year is expected to debut Apple's first in-house 5G modem, according to Jeff Pu, an analyst who covers companies within Apple's supply chain. In a research note this week with Hong Kong-based investment firm Haitong International Securities, Pu said Apple is expected to roll out its custom-made 5G modem starting with the next-generation...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

Skipping the New MacBook Pro? Here Are Two Bigger Changes Rumored

Thursday October 31, 2024 4:00 pm PDT by
While the new MacBook Pro lineup features faster M4 chip options, Thunderbolt 5 support for higher-end configurations, a nano-texture display option, and more, most of the previous MacBook Pro models with Apple silicon chips still offer the latest overall design, and fast performance, which might lead you to avoid upgrading this year. If you are planning to skip the new MacBook Pro, here are ...