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What data does the app see?

Five activity metrics from Apple Health on your device — steps, walking/running distance, active calories, floors climbed, and active exercise time — plus three profile values used on-device: your date of birth sets your starting step goal, your height estimates your stride length, and your weight shows your BMI. The app does not request biological sex. The app reads these directly from Apple Health — nothing is uploaded, and we never see your data.

Do I need an Apple Watch?

No — steps, distance, and floors all work with just your iPhone. Active calories and active exercise time are different: only Apple Watch records them automatically as you move. An iPhone on its own adds them from workouts you actually record, so a brisk walk with just your phone in your pocket adds no exercise time unless you logged it as a workout. Active calories is always shown, even at zero. Active exercise time is hidden entirely when Apple Health holds no exercise time at all, rather than showing a zero that looks like a broken reading.

How do I enable HealthKit permissions?

When you first open the app, it will ask for HealthKit access. If you need to change permissions later, go to the iOS Settings app, scroll down to Daily Stride Tracker, tap Health, and enable the data types you want to share.

Why isn't my step count updating?

Make sure HealthKit permissions are enabled (see above). Also check that Background App Refresh is turned on in iOS Settings > General > Background App Refresh > Daily Stride Tracker. The app refreshes data periodically in the background.

How is my step goal calculated?

It starts from the research, not from a marketing number. Reviews of the evidence — including 57 studies pooled in The Lancet Public Health in 2025 — find that most of the measurable benefit arrives by around 7,000 steps a day, with smaller gains above that. From about age 60 the curve turns earlier, so the starting point drops to 6,000.

Age is the only thing the app adjusts for. Studies have not found a difference by sex, and no activity guideline scales a step target by weight or BMI, so the app doesn't either. It's a starting point, not a prescription — you can change it whenever you like, and the app never changes it for you.

Worth knowing: there is no official US step target. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and the CDC both recommend 150 minutes of activity a week rather than a number of steps. Any step figure, including ours, comes from research rather than from a federal guideline.

Sources: Saint-Maurice et al. (JAMA 2020), Paluch et al. (The Lancet Public Health 2022), Ding et al. (The Lancet Public Health 2025).

Is my health data shared with anyone?

No. All your health data stays on your device. The app collects no personal or health data, has no user accounts, no in-app analytics, and no third-party SDKs. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

How accurate are the calorie estimates?

The app doesn't calculate calories — it shows the active energy figure exactly as Apple Health recorded it. Your Apple Watch measures active calories from your heart rate and motion, so the number matches what you see in Apple's own Fitness and Health apps. Without an Apple Watch it stays near zero unless you record workouts on your iPhone, which also contribute active energy. These are estimates and may vary from actual calories burned; always consult a healthcare professional for precise dietary guidance.

Can I change my step goal?

Yes. Go to Settings > Change Step Goal to choose from research-based goal levels or set a custom goal.

Does the app work with Apple Watch?

Yes — Daily Stride Tracker includes a dedicated Watch app and complications. The iPhone and Watch apps work independently, each reading directly from Apple Health on its own device. Apple Health automatically syncs samples between your devices via iCloud, so both stay consistent. The Watch app is bundled with the iPhone app — no separate download needed.

How do I delete my data?

Since all data is stored locally on your device, uninstalling the app removes all app data. Your HealthKit data is managed separately through the iOS Health app.