Open the Activity app and tap the plus sign
To add a new activity to your Apple Watch, open the Activity app on your watch and look for the plus sign (+) in the upper right corner of the screen. Tap it. A list of available activities will appear — these include running, walking, cycling, swimming, yoga, strength training, and dozens of others depending on your watch model and watchOS version.
The activities shown are built into your watch. You cannot add custom activities with names you create yourself, but Apple's list covers most common workouts. If you do not see an activity you want, scroll down to see the full menu before assuming it is not there.
Key Takeaways
- Tap the plus sign in the Activity app on your watch to see all available workouts you can add.
- Once you select an activity, it appears on your Activity rings screen and your watch will track it automatically when you start moving.
- You can reorder activities by opening the Activity app on your iPhone, going to the Health app, and dragging them into your preferred order.
- Removing an activity from your watch does not delete the workout history — your past records stay in the Health app on your iPhone.
Select the activity you want to track
Tap the activity name from the list. Common choices include Running, Walking, Cycling, Swimming, Yoga, Strength Training, Hiking, and Dance. Each activity tracks different metrics — running and walking measure distance and pace, swimming counts laps, and strength training counts reps and sets.
Once you tap an activity, it is added to your Activity rings screen. You will see it listed along with your other activities the next time you open the Activity app. The activity is now ready to use — when you start moving and your watch detects motion, it will begin tracking automatically if you have that activity selected.
Reorder activities on your watch from your iPhone
The order activities appear on your watch is controlled from your iPhone, not from the watch itself. Open the Health app on your iPhone, tap the Browse tab at the bottom, then select Activity. Scroll down and tap Edit in the upper right corner.
You will see a list of all your activities with three horizontal lines next to each one. Press and hold those lines, then drag the activity up or down to reorder it. The activity at the top of the list will appear first on your watch. Tap Done when you are finished. The new order syncs to your watch within a few seconds.
Remove an activity you no longer want
To remove an activity from your watch, open the Health app on your iPhone, go to Browse, select Activity, and tap Edit. Find the activity you want to remove and tap the red minus sign next to it, then tap Delete. The activity disappears from your Activity rings screen on your watch.
Removing an activity does not erase your workout history. All the workouts you completed using that activity remain in the Health app on your iPhone under the Workouts section. You can view them anytime, even after you remove the activity from your watch.
Start a workout using your new activity
Once an activity is added, you can start a workout in two ways. On your watch, open the Workout app (not the Activity app), and tap the activity you want to use. Your watch will begin tracking immediately. Alternatively, raise your wrist and say "Hey Siri, start [activity name]" — for example, "Hey Siri, start running."
During the workout, your watch displays real-time metrics like distance, pace, heart rate, and calories burned. When you finish, swipe up on the workout screen and tap End. Your watch saves the workout and adds it to your activity history in the Health app.
Check which activities are available on your watch model
The number of activities available depends on your Apple Watch model and the version of watchOS installed. Newer models and newer software versions include more activities. You can see exactly which ones your watch supports by opening the Activity app and tapping the plus sign — every activity shown there is available to you.
If you want to see the full list before opening your watch, you can also check Apple's support pages for your specific watch model. The list does not change often, but major watchOS updates occasionally add new activities.
Understand the difference between Activity and Workout apps
The Activity app shows your daily rings — Move, Exercise, and Stand — and lets you manage which activities count toward your rings. The Workout app is where you actually start and track individual workouts. Both apps work together: activities you add in the Activity app become available to start in the Workout app.
You do not need to add an activity to track it — you can start any workout directly from the Workout app even if you have not added it to your Activity rings. Adding an activity to the Activity app simply makes it easier to access and lets you customize how it contributes to your daily goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a custom activity with my own name?
No. Apple Watch only supports the activities built into watchOS. You cannot create custom activities or rename existing ones. If you want to track something specific, choose the closest matching activity — for example, use Dance for a Zumba class or Strength Training for CrossFit.
Why is an activity I want not showing up in the list?
Make sure you have scrolled through the entire list — there are often more activities below what appears on the first screen. If you still do not see it, check that your watchOS is up to date by opening the Watch app on your iPhone, going to General, and tapping Software Update. Older watchOS versions have fewer activities available.
Do I lose my workout history if I remove an activity?
No. Removing an activity from your watch only hides it from the Activity rings screen. All workouts you completed using that activity stay in the Health app on your iPhone and can be viewed anytime under Workouts.
Can I add the same activity more than once?
No. Each activity can only appear once on your Activity rings screen. If you want to track the same type of workout at different times of day, use the same activity — your watch records each workout separately in your history.