Skip to main content

Device sync troubleshooting guide

Workouts from your watch or health app not showing up? Work through these checks in order.

Written by Arthur Magalhães

Workouts from your watch or health app are missing in GymRats? Work through these checks in order. Most sync problems are fixed by step 1 or 2.

Before you start: how sync works

  • GymRats syncs workouts, not steps. Only workouts you start and save on your device (a run, a strength session, a ride…) come through. Daily steps, sleep and all-day calories are not synced. See Why aren't my steps syncing?

  • You need to be in an active group. Workouts only sync if you're in a challenge that has already started, or in a club. Workouts recorded before a challenge starts won't sync.

  • Open GymRats after your workout. Some devices don't sync in real time. Opening the app makes it check for new workouts. See About Auto-Sync.

1. Check your device first

Open your device's own app (Apple Fitness, Health Connect, Samsung Health, Garmin Connect or Fitbit) and find the workout.

If the workout isn't there, GymRats can't see it. Fix the sync between your watch and its app first, e.g. update the watch firmware and make sure Bluetooth is on.

2. Check the connection in GymRats

  1. Open the side menu → My Connections.

  2. Tap your device or app.

  3. Make sure it shows as connected and the Active toggle is on.

3. Check permissions

Apple Health (iPhone)

  1. Open the Health app → tap your profile (top right) → Apps → GymRats.

  2. Make sure Workouts is turned on. Tapping Turn On All is the simplest option.

Health Connect (Android)

  1. Open Health Connect (Settings → Apps → Health Connect on most phones) → App permissions → GymRats.

  2. Allow Exercise and the other workout data.

Samsung Health, Garmin, Fitbit

Disconnect and reconnect in My Connections. When asked, choose Allow all.

4. Let GymRats run in the background (Android)

Android can pause apps to save battery, which stops sync. Settings → Apps → GymRats → Battery → choose Unrestricted (or turn off battery optimisation).

5. Update and restart

  1. Update GymRats and your device's app to the latest versions.

  2. Close GymRats completely and open it again.

6. Disconnect and reconnect

Still nothing? In My Connections, disconnect the device, close GymRats, open it again and reconnect. Accept every permission.

Using Strava, Zepp or Mi Fitness?

These apps don't connect to GymRats directly. They sync through Apple Health on iPhone or Health Connect on Android:

  1. Connect Strava, Zepp or Mi Fitness to Apple Health / Health Connect in that app's settings.

  2. Connect Apple Health / Health Connect to GymRats in My Connections.

See Strava, Zepp and Mi Fitness.

A workout synced twice

This can happen when two connections record the same workout, e.g. your watch and TotalPass, or Garmin and Apple Health. A fix is coming in an app update. Until then:

  • delete the extra check-in: open it → three dots → Remove check-in

  • or keep only one connection active for the same workouts

My workout synced but was not accepted

Some groups have stricter check-in rules, e.g. same-day only or a GPS requirement. Check the rules with the group admin. See Check-in Verification Settings.

Still missing?

Log the workout manually and use the Date button to set the day you did it. See How do I backlog a check-in?

If it keeps happening, send us a DM on Instagram @gymratsapp with your phone model, the device/app you use and a screenshot of the workout in that app.

Device guides: Apple Health · Health Connect · Samsung Health · Garmin · Fitbit · Strava · Zepp · Mi Fitness

Did this answer your question?