The Apple Watch is a great companion for iPhone users. You get notifications, control your playback, and track your overall health. Most people wear it on their wrists, but… can you wear it on your ankle? Does it still count steps when you wear it on the ankle?
In this article, we’ll explain how to wear your Apple Watch on your ankle and if it is still accurate when tracking health metrics.
Can You Wear an Apple Watch on Your Ankle?
You can wear an Apple Watch on your ankle. It can still check your overall health, as its sensors are still in contact with your skin. However, checking your watch’s statistics can be difficult because your ankle is not directly on your line of sight.
Your Apple Watch’s original wristbands may be too short for your ankle. You’ll have to purchase ankle bands to wear the watch on your ankle. These bands are much longer than typical wristbands and are usually made of nylon.
Is Putting Apple Watch on Your Ankle Accurate?
Wearing the Apple Watch on your ankle may affect its accuracy. Apple calibrated the watch’s sensors to track data on your wrist. According to Apple, the watch’s sensors will only work at the top of your wrist. An ankle band may improve the watch’s reading, though it will still not be 100% accurate.
The Apple Watch’s sensors work by detecting your wrist veins. Wearing the watch on your ankle may slightly affect health measurements due to differences in vein structures between the ankle and the wrist.
Will Apple Watch Count Steps on Ankle?
If you’re into running, it’s worth noting that wearing the watch on your ankle will still count your steps accurately. In fact, this metric is least affected when you opt not to wear the device on your wrist.
When your watch counts steps, it does not use the same sensors that it does in tracking heart rate, ECG, or any other health metrics. Instead, it uses GPS, which is unaffected by wearing your watch in places other than your wrist.
You can re-calibrate your Apple Watch to wear it on your ankle. Your health and workout stats will still appear as usual. But even if you do this, do not expect 100% accuracy, as the watch is primarily designed for the wrist.
How to Wear the Apple Watch on Your Ankle
Apple does not sell an official ankle strap for its Apple Watch. You need to buy the ankle strap from a third-party seller. (Like these from Amazon)
Here are the steps on how to wear your Apple Watch on your ankle:
Step 1: Attach an Ankle Band to Your Apple Watch
Step 2: Ensure the Watch’s Sensors Directly Touches Your Skin
Step 3: Fit Your Ankle Strap Snugly
Don’t wear the watch too tight or loose; it can further affect its accuracy.
Benefits of Wearing the Apple Watch on Your Ankle
You might be asking why some people wear an Apple Watch on their ankles. It might look weird at first, but there are reasons why some people choose to do this.
Here are some benefits of wearing the Apple Watch on the ankle:
1. You Have Less Distractions at Work
Some jobs restrict their people from wearing any accessories like the Apple Watch for hygienic purposes. Some tough jobs may also cause damage to the watch, so people choose to avoid wearing one.
This situation is especially true for healthcare workers. They need to be sterile throughout their duty. That is why healthcare workers with Apple Watches usually wear them on their ankles. They can still track their fitness data without compromising on work cleanliness.
2. You Have More Privacy on Your Apple Watch
Someone snooping on your iPhone or Apple Watch can be bothersome. You can ensure no one will see your notifications by wearing the Apple Watch on your ankle.
Wearing your watch on your ankle also makes it discreet. If you’re concerned about someone forcibly removing your watch, wearing it on the ankle might make it less accessible and, therefore, more secure.
Disadvantages of Wearing the Apple Watch on Your Ankle
Wearing your Apple Watch on your ankle has its fair share of disadvantages:
1. Can’t Quickly Check Your Notifications
Having more privacy with your Apple Watch has its disadvantages. You cannot easily check your notifications if you wear your watch on your ankle. You must sit down and lift your leg before checking your notifications.
This is why Apple recommends wearing your Apple Watch on the wrist. Your notifications will show up once you turn your wrist.
2. You Can Get Inaccurate Health Stats
Apple designed the watch as a device for your wrist. The Apple Watch accurately detects your heart health and step count stats through your wrist. It can still check these stats on the ankle, but the results will not be the same.
For instance, you want to check your ECG with your Apple Watch. Your Apple Watch’s ECG will not work because you need to put your index finger on the watch’s crown. You will bend to reach your Apple Watch’s crown, which will heavily affect the results of the ECG.
Is your Apple Watch ECG not working? Find out the best methods to fix it.
3. The Watch Becomes More Prone to Damage
The Apple Watch’s lower position on your ankle exposes it to bumps, scrapes, and impact, which it wasn’t designed for. This increases the potential of your watch acquiring damage.
Wearing the watch on your ankle also limits your workout options. You cannot play contact sports, as someone may accidentally kick your legs and break your Apple Watch.
Conclusion
Wearing your Apple Watch on your ankle has its advantages and disadvantages.
First, you cannot use your wristband on your wrist, so you have to spend a few dollars for an ankleband. It also works less accurately when worn on the ankle. But if you want more privacy, your ankle is the most discreet place to wear your device.
Ensure you fit your Apple Watch on the ankle snugly so it doesn’t go loose on your workouts. You don’t want to lose this precious watch during exercises.
