The SmartWOD Timer comes with a companion app for the Apple Watch: run your AMRAP, EMOM, TABATA and FOR TIME workouts right from your wrist, synced with your iPhone. Here are the answers to the most common questions about the Watch app.
Starting & controlling workouts
When I open the app on my Apple Watch I see "configure your timer in the app to start a workout". What should I do?
The SmartWOD Timer Apple Watch app is a companion app, which means you cannot use it as a standalone app.
Steps to start a workout:
- Open SmartWOD Timer on your iPhone or iPad
- Select and configure your workout (AMRAP, FOR TIME, EMOM, TABATA, or MIX)
- Tap "START TIMER"
- The configured workout will appear on your Apple Watch
- Tap "START" on the watch to begin
You must always configure the workout on your iPhone first — the watch cannot operate independently.
How can I pause or end/stop the workout?
Swipe to the right on your Apple Watch during a workout to access the controls. There you can end/stop and pause the workout.
How can I end a "FOR TIME" or "EMOM - death by" workout from my Apple Watch?
Swipe to the right on your watch to access the controls. Tap the X button to end the workout.
The behavior differs slightly by workout type:
- FOR TIME — the workout ends immediately
- FOR TIME with sets — the current set concludes and rest begins
- EMOM Death By — the workout ends immediately
How can I see my workout notes during the workout with the Watch app?
Simply swipe up on your Apple Watch during the workout to view your workout notes.
Sound & haptics
Why don't I get any sound feedback for the start, halfway point, intervals, etc.?
Check Silent Mode: Make sure Silent Mode is not activated on your Apple Watch and that the volume is turned up.
Enable Haptic Alerts: Ensure that haptic alerts (vibrations) for workout milestones are turned on. Activating these features will provide the best workout experience.
See Apple's official guide for adjusting sound and notification settings on your Apple Watch.
Why don't I get any haptic alerts (vibrations)?
To enable haptic alerts on your Apple Watch:
- Open the Settings app on your Watch
- Scroll down and tap Sounds & Haptics
- Turn Haptic Alerts on
Heart rate, Apple Health & Fitness
Why don't I see my heart rate or burned calories on my watch?
1. Start the timer on your Watch (not your phone!) Make sure you start the timer directly on your watch. When prompted, tap "YES" to enable health data tracking.
2. Grant Apple Health permissions:
On Apple Watch: Settings → General → Health → Apps → SmartWOD Timer → Turn On All
On iPhone: Settings → Health → Data Access & Devices → SmartWOD Timer → Enable all toggles
3. Reinstall if necessary: If the above steps don't work, uninstall and reinstall SmartWOD Timer on your watch. This resolves most persistent problems with missing health metrics.
Why is my workout not tracked in the Apple Fitness app?
1. Start the timer on your Watch, not your phone! When prompted, tap "YES" — otherwise the workout won't be tracked.
2. Grant Health App permissions:
On Apple Watch: Settings → General → Health → Apps → SmartWOD Timer → Turn On All
On iPhone: Settings → Health → Data Access & Devices → SmartWOD Timer → Enable all toggles
3. Reinstall the app: If the above steps don't resolve the issue, uninstall and reinstall SmartWOD Timer on your watch. This should definitely help!
When I start the SmartWOD timer together with the Apple Watch fitness workout, the watch workout overrides the timer. What should I do?
Grant permissions:
On Apple Watch: Settings → General → Health → Apps → SmartWOD Timer → Turn On All
On iPhone: Settings → Health → Data Access & Devices → SmartWOD Timer → Enable all toggles
If the timer still switches: If notifications from Apple (like "move ring closed") cause the Fitness app to take priority, press pause and then resume in your SmartWOD workout so that the timer returns to the foreground.
Best practice: Stop the Apple Watch fitness workout before you start the SmartWOD Timer. Your workout will still be tracked identically — you'll see heart rate, calories burned, and workout summaries in the Apple Fitness app on your iPhone.
Question not answered?
Our support team is happy to help: email us at support@smartwod.app or browse the Help Center. Training in a gym or box? Check out the Box Timer guide to put the SmartWOD Timer on the gym TV.