iOS 16 Includes Fitness App As Standard, No Apple Watch Necessary - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

iOS 16 Includes Fitness App As Standard, No Apple Watch Necessary

As part of its iOS 16 presentation at WWDC, Apple today revealed that iPhone users now have access to the Fitness app regardless of whether they have an Apple Watch or not.

fitness app
Previously, the Fitness app was only accessible on iPhones that are paired with an Apple Watch, but no more.

On an iPhone with iOS 16 installed, the Fitness app will use the iPhone's motion sensors to track things like steps, meaning all the activity that your iPhone tracks can be put toward closing your rings. You can set up a daily Move goal in the Fitness app and see how your active calories will help close your Move ring.

The iPhone's motion sensors can track steps, distance, flights climbed, and workouts from third-party apps, which can be converted into an estimation of active calories to contribute to your daily Move goal. You can also share your Move ring with friends for additional motivation.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Popular Stories

iCloud iPhone 17 Pro

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Get Two New Perks on iOS 27

Thursday July 2, 2026 6:10 am PDT by
If you pay for certain iCloud+ storage plans beyond the 5GB that Apple offers for free, you will receive two more perks on iOS 27 at no additional cost. A summary of the two new iCloud+ perks on iOS 27:Increased daily usage limits for some new Apple Intelligence features, including image generation in the revamped Image Playground app. HomeKit Secure Video cameras receive generated video...
iPhone 4 on Black Feature

Apple Facing One of Its Worst Leaks Since the iPhone 4

Thursday July 2, 2026 9:53 am PDT by
Apple supplier Tata Electronics recently suffered a cyberattack that resulted in thousands of confidential files being published on the dark web, and this reportedly included some photos and documents related to the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro. We have elected not to share any of the leaked photos in this story due to the illegal nature in which they were obtained, but they can easily be found...
American Express Gold Apple Pay Feature

American Express Announces New Apple Pay Feature

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:27 am PDT by
American Express today announced that you can now redeem Membership Rewards points when checking out with Apple Pay on the web and in apps on the iPhone and iPad. When checking out with Apple Pay on iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 or later, tap on your eligible American Express card (Platinum, Gold, Green, and others) and select the Membership Rewards points option. You can use points to cover all or...

Top Rated Comments

53 months ago
This is a good way to help people get into the fitness ecosystem before they get an Apple Watch.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
magicschoolbus Avatar
53 months ago
Great now let me see all of my data on my iPad…
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
53 months ago
This is cool. But why not add the Health app to iPadOS? Such a beautiful screen to track your health. Apple is an awesome company but can be highly illogical at times.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
53 months ago

While I'm sure the functionality is somewhat reduced (understandably), I was in search of a light fitness experience and I didn't want to get an apple watch just for that.
I'll probably take advantage of this, as limited as it might be.
Or you could catch the Apple Watch the poster above you just threw out of his window.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
53 months ago
I wish you could use a Garmin Watch for Apple Fitness +
I don't want all those notifications and distractions, short battery life of the  Watch, but I do like Apple Fitness +.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
53 months ago
Very welcome addition.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)