Strava Updates Apple Watch App with New Interface plus Live Segments
Strava has released an updated version of its Apple Watch app. The redesign introduces a streamlined interface and, for the first time, brings the platform’s Live Segments feature to users’ wrists.
The update responds to growing adoption of the Apple Watch among Strava’s community. For example, in 2024, the proportion of Strava users uploading activities via Apple Watch increased by almost 20% year-over-year, with a notable boost coming from women and younger users, according to the company’s 2024 Year in Sport report. Apple devices also ranked as the top two choices for runners on the platform.
The refreshed app focuses on functionality with a much clearer display of metrics such as pace, distance, time, and heart rate. It also improves syncing and helps start activities more easily.
Live Segments is an interesting addition for the wrist, primarily the location of tech for runners. This will let Strava users compete in real time on designated stretches of road or trail, against their own previous records or other Strava users.
On the Apple Watch, a banner displays the segment name as you get close, with a progress indicator updating live during the activity. Haptic feedback signals the start of starred segments, and results are shown immediately upon completion. Strava subscribers gain additional features, including real-time pace comparisons and segment distance countdowns.
Take Out
Why not? It can’t hurt.
Let’s see how Live Segments fare in popularity for runners. There’s no obvious reason why they shouldn’t appeal to runners as much as they do to riders, but in my experience, many runners are not interested. Maybe Strava can turn that around, or perhaps the appeal is to people running in different ways than me?
Also interesting is that Srtava bought the RUNNA app a few months ago. The more obvious route following that purchase was to rebrand the acquisition and then quietly replace the existing Strava watch/smartphone workout recording features. Strava clearly has a different plan than mine.
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