Do I still get credited for move and stand goals if my Apple Watched is locked while on my wrist?

One thing I've been curious about and tried to check but haven't been able to fully confirm, is - if my Apple Watch is on my wrist but still locked (i.e. I just put it back on my wrist and have not put in my passcode):

  • If I move around, will I get credited for that fitness activity? (i.e. Will the active calories, exercise and stand rings still go up) if I later remember to put in my passcode?
  • Will the watch do heartrate and other readings and add that to Health when locked?

Solution 1:

Billie Hawkins has noted about the stand goals. I checked to see if the Apple Watch would track steps.

So here was my test:

  • Take off Apple Watch (Series 3)
  • Verify locked state
  • Checked number of steps using Pedometer++ on iPhone (current steps: 8367)
  • Walk for 3 minutes around the house
  • Checked number of steps on Pedometer++ (steps shown: 8367)
  • Unlocked Apple Watch
  • Noticed that Pedometer++ changed the number of steps to 8664 (which is about right for me walking 3 mins in the house)
  • Verified number of steps on Pedometer++ Watch app (confirmed 8664 steps)

So, yes, the Apple Watch will track your steps if it is locked but will update after it has been unlocked.