You just finished a solid run, your legs are tired, and you’re ready to see your stats on the Runna app. But when you check your phone, nothing shows up. Your Apple Watch data didn’t sync, and now your workout feels like it never happened.
This syncing glitch is frustrating, especially when you’re tracking your training for a goal race or trying to stay consistent. The good news is that most syncing issues between Runna and your Apple Watch can be fixed at home without too much effort.
In this article, you’ll learn what causes this syncing problem, why it happens, and the exact steps you can take to get everything working smoothly again.
What Does “Runna Not Syncing” Actually Mean?
When Runna stops syncing with your Apple Watch, it means the workout data from your watch isn’t reaching the Runna app on your iPhone. Your run might show up in the Apple Fitness app or the Activity rings on your watch, but Runna has no idea it happened. The two devices aren’t talking to each other properly.
This problem can show up in different ways. Sometimes the sync just takes forever and never completes. Other times, only some of your workouts make it through while others vanish. And in some cases, the Runna app on your watch won’t even open or crashes the moment you try to start a workout.
Ignoring this issue for too long can mess with your training plan. Runna uses your past workouts to adjust future sessions, so if the app doesn’t know what you’ve done, it can’t give you accurate coaching. Your progress charts will have gaps, and your weekly summaries won’t add up.
Here’s what you might notice if syncing has failed:
- Missing workouts in your Runna history even though your Apple Watch recorded them
- Delayed updates where workouts appear hours or even days later
- Error messages on your watch or phone saying the sync couldn’t complete
- Duplicate entries where the same run shows up twice after a delayed sync finally goes through
Runna (Apple Watch) Not Syncing: Likely Causes
Before jumping into fixes, it helps to know what’s causing the trouble in the first place. Most syncing failures come down to a handful of common culprits, and identifying yours can save you time.
1. Bluetooth Connection Problems
Your Apple Watch and iPhone rely on Bluetooth to pass data back and forth. If that connection is weak or keeps dropping, your workout data gets stuck on the watch with nowhere to go.
Sometimes the issue is as simple as your phone being too far away during your run. Other times, Bluetooth interference from other devices like wireless headphones or smart home gadgets can cause hiccups. Even having Bluetooth toggled off on either device will stop the sync dead in its tracks.
The tricky part is that Bluetooth issues don’t always show obvious error messages. Your devices might look connected on the surface while the actual data transfer keeps failing silently.
2. Outdated App or Software
Running an old version of the Runna app on your iPhone or Apple Watch can lead to syncing failures. Developers push updates to fix bugs and improve how the app communicates with Apple’s systems.
If you’ve been ignoring those “Update Available” notifications, there’s a chance the version you’re using has a known syncing bug that’s already been patched. The same goes for your Apple Watch’s operating system. An outdated watchOS can create conflicts with newer app features.
3. Health App Permissions Not Granted
Runna needs permission to read and write data to Apple Health. Without this access, the app can’t pull your workout information from the watch or save your runs to the shared health database.
These permissions sometimes get reset after a software update or if you reinstall the app. You might have granted access months ago and assumed everything was fine, but a recent change could have revoked it without you noticing.
4. Background App Refresh Turned Off
Background App Refresh lets Runna update its data even when you’re not actively using it. If this setting is off, the app can only sync when you open it manually, which creates delays.
Your iPhone might have turned this feature off automatically to save battery, especially if you’ve enabled Low Power Mode. This silent change often catches people off guard because the app still opens and works, it just doesn’t sync in the background like it should.
5. Corrupted App Data or Cache
Over time, the Runna app can accumulate corrupted files or a bloated cache that interferes with normal functions. This is especially common if the app has crashed before or if a sync was interrupted midway.
When the app’s local data gets messed up, it might struggle to communicate with Apple’s servers or your watch. You won’t see a clear warning that says “your cache is corrupted,” but the symptoms show up as random sync failures and sluggish performance.
Runna (Apple Watch) Not Syncing: How to Fix
Now that you know what might be causing the issue, let’s work through the fixes. Start with the simplest ones and move down the list until your syncing problem is gone.
1. Check and Reset Your Bluetooth Connection
Start by making sure Bluetooth is on for both your iPhone and Apple Watch. On your iPhone, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and confirm it’s enabled. On your watch, swipe up to open Control Center and look for the Bluetooth icon.
If Bluetooth is already on but syncing still fails, try toggling it off on both devices, waiting about 10 seconds, and turning it back on. This forces a fresh connection.
For stubborn cases, you can unpair your Apple Watch and pair it again. Go to the Watch app on your iPhone, tap your watch at the top, then tap the “i” icon and select Unpair Apple Watch. Once it’s unpaired, set it up again as if it were new. This clears out any lingering connection issues.
2. Update Runna and watchOS
Open the App Store on your iPhone and tap your profile icon at the top. Scroll down to see pending updates. If Runna is listed, tap Update.
For your Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to General, then Software Update. If an update is available, install it. Make sure your watch is on its charger and connected to Wi-Fi during the update.
After updating both, open the Runna app and try syncing again. Many users find that a simple update fixes syncing bugs instantly.
3. Grant Runna Full Health App Permissions
On your iPhone, open the Settings app and scroll down to Health. Tap Data Access & Devices, then find and tap Runna.
Inside, you’ll see two sections: one for data Runna can read and one for data it can write. Make sure all the relevant categories are turned on, especially Workouts, Heart Rate, and Active Energy. If any are off, flip them on.
Go back and do the same check on your Apple Watch. Open the Settings app on the watch, tap Health, then Apps, and select Runna. Confirm all permissions are enabled there too.
4. Enable Background App Refresh
Head to Settings on your iPhone, tap General, then tap Background App Refresh. First, make sure the master toggle at the top is set to Wi-Fi & Cellular Data or at least Wi-Fi.
Scroll through the list of apps and find Runna. If the toggle next to it is off, turn it on. This lets the app sync your data automatically even when you’re not looking at it.
If you often use Low Power Mode, keep in mind that it disables Background App Refresh for all apps. You can either charge your phone before runs or temporarily turn off Low Power Mode to allow syncing.
5. Reinstall the Runna App
Sometimes a fresh install is the fastest way to clear out corrupted data. On your iPhone, press and hold the Runna app icon until a menu appears, then tap Remove App and confirm.
Next, open the App Store, search for Runna, and download it again. Once installed, log back into your account and grant all the permissions it asks for.
On your Apple Watch, the app should reinstall automatically if you have automatic app installs enabled. If not, open the Watch app on your phone, scroll to Runna, and toggle on Show App on Apple Watch. After reinstalling, do a quick test workout to confirm syncing works.
6. Contact Runna Support or Apple
If you’ve tried everything above and your workouts still won’t sync, the problem might be deeper than a DIY fix can reach. There could be an issue with your Runna account on their servers, or a rare Apple Watch hardware fault might be involved.
Reach out to Runna’s support team through their app or website. Describe what you’ve already tried so they can skip the basic suggestions. If they suspect the issue is on Apple’s side, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for a diagnostic check on your watch.
Wrapping Up
Syncing issues between Runna and your Apple Watch are annoying, but they’re usually fixable with a few simple steps. Most of the time, the problem comes down to Bluetooth hiccups, outdated software, or permissions that got switched off without you knowing.
Work through the fixes one by one, starting with the easiest. If nothing works after you’ve given each method a fair try, don’t hesitate to reach out to Runna’s support or Apple for help. Your training data matters, and getting everything synced properly keeps your running journey on track.