How to import a GPX into an Apple Watch

Apple's built-in Workout app does not follow routes. The common choice for GPX on the watch is WorkOutDoors, a small paid app that shows the route and an off-route warning on the wrist. Garmin and Strava owners can use those apps' own guides instead.

With WorkOutDoors

1. Install WorkOutDoors on the iPhone from the App Store; it installs on the watch as well.
2. Save the hikelevel .gpx file on the iPhone, in Files.
3. Open the file, choose Share, and pick WorkOutDoors. The route appears in the app's Routes list.
4. In WorkOutDoors on the iPhone, open Settings, then Maps, and download the map area around the route so the watch has tiles without signal.
5. On the watch, open WorkOutDoors, choose Routes, pick the hike, and start a Hiking workout. The route and the current position show on the watch map.

With Apple Maps

Apple Maps on recent watches and iPhones supports custom routes drawn in Maps, but it does not import GPX files directly. Use WorkOutDoors, or one of the other apps in the guide list, for a GPX route.

If something looks wrong

• A route missing on the watch needs a moment to sync. Open WorkOutDoors on the iPhone with the watch nearby.
• The watch map goes blank without downloaded tiles; step 4 above fixes that.