Use Time to Walk Feature Apple Watch
The Time to Walk feature on Apple Watch turns a simple walk into a guided audio experience, with celebrities sharing stories, music, and photos as you stroll. You start it from the Workout app, and it plays a 25–40 minute episode while tracking your walk as an outdoor walk workout. It is free with an Apple Fitness+ subscription, and the episodes are also available in the Fitness app on iPhone.
What Is Time to Walk
Time to Walk is an Apple Watch feature that was introduced in 2021 as part of the Fitness+ service. Each episode features a well‑known guest — such as an athlete, actor, or musician — who talks about their life, shares a few songs from their playlist, and sometimes shows photos on the watch screen. The goal is to encourage you to take a regular walk by making it feel like you are walking with a friend.
The episodes are recorded specifically for the feature and are not the same as podcasts or audiobooks. They are designed to be listened to while walking, and the watch automatically suggests the feature when it detects that you are on a walk. You do not need to carry your iPhone; the audio plays from the watch speaker or connected Bluetooth headphones.
How to Start a Time to Walk Episode
Starting an episode is simple, but the exact steps depend on whether you are using the watch alone or the iPhone app.
- On the watch: Open the Workout app, scroll to Outdoor Walk, tap the three dots next to it, and select Time to Walk. The most recent episode will start playing.
- From the Fitness app on iPhone: Open the Fitness app, go to the Fitness+ tab, find Time to Walk under the Workouts section, and tap an episode. It will be sent to your watch automatically.
- Using Siri: Say “Start Time to Walk� and the watch will begin the latest episode.
Once the episode starts, the watch shows a large play/pause button, a skip button, and a progress ring. You can also see the guest’s photos by raising your wrist while the episode is playing.
How the Audio and Photos Work
Time to Walk episodes are designed to be immersive. The audio is mixed so that the guest’s voice is in the foreground, and the music they chose plays in the background. The watch screen shows a photo that changes periodically, usually related to what the guest is talking about. If you are using headphones, the photos still appear on the watch screen.
You can adjust the volume with the digital crown or the side button, and you can rewind or fast‑forward by tapping the screen. The episodes are not live; they are pre‑recorded and can be replayed as many times as you like. Each episode has a duration of about 25 to 40 minutes, which is roughly the length of a brisk walk.
Requirements and Subscription
Time to Walk requires an Apple Watch Series 3 or later with watchOS 7.2 or later. You also need an iPhone 6s or later with iOS 14.3 or later. The feature is part of Apple Fitness+, which is a subscription service. However, you do not need to be a Fitness+ subscriber to use Time to Walk — it is available to anyone with a compatible watch, even without a subscription. The episodes are downloaded to the watch automatically when you are on Wi‑Fi, so you can listen without your phone nearby.
If you have an Apple Fitness+ subscription, you get access to the full library of past episodes. Without a subscription, you can still listen to the most recent episode, but older ones may not be available. Apple has not announced a specific number of episodes or a release schedule, but new ones appear regularly.
How It Tracks Your Walk
When you start a Time to Walk episode, the watch also starts an outdoor walk workout. This means you get all the usual workout metrics: duration, distance, pace, heart rate, and active calories. The workout appears in the Fitness app on your iPhone, and it counts toward your daily Move and Exercise goals. You can see a summary at the end of the walk, and you can also view the route on a map if you have GPS on your watch.
One thing to note: the workout is recorded as a regular outdoor walk, not a special “Time to Walk� workout. So in your workout history, it will show up as an outdoor walk, not as a separate category. The only difference is that the audio is playing.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
Some users report issues with Time to Walk not appearing or not playing. Here are the most common ones and what to do:
- Episode not showing on the watch: Make sure your watch is updated to watchOS 7.2 or later. Go to Settings > General > Software Update on the watch, or update through the iPhone Watch app.
- Audio not playing through headphones: Check that your Bluetooth headphones are connected. If they are, try disconnecting and reconnecting them. Also, make sure the watch volume is not muted.
- Episode stops mid‑walk: This can happen if the watch battery is low or if the episode was not fully downloaded. Go to Settings > Workout > Time to Walk and see if there is a download option. You can also delete and re‑download the episode.
- No new episodes: If you are not a Fitness+ subscriber, you may only see the latest episode. To get more, you need a subscription.
If none of these work, restart the watch by holding the side button and the digital crown together until the Apple logo appears. This usually resolves minor glitches.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of It
Time to Walk is more than just a podcast. Here are some ways to make it a regular part of your routine:
- Set a weekly goal: Try to do one Time to Walk episode every week. The watch will even suggest it on Mondays.
- Use it as a walking workout: Since it tracks as a workout, you can combine it with your regular exercise routine.
- Download episodes in advance: When you are on Wi‑Fi, open the Fitness app and download a few episodes so you have them for offline walks.
- Pair with a walking buddy: You can both listen to the same episode and discuss it afterward.
Remember that the feature is designed for walking, not running or other activities. If you start a run, the audio will pause, and the workout will switch to a running workout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Apple Fitness+ to use Time to Walk?
No, you do not need a Fitness+ subscription. Time to Walk is available to all Apple Watch users with a compatible device. However, without a subscription, you may only have access to the most recent episode. To access the full library, you need Fitness+.
Can I listen to Time to Walk without my iPhone?
Yes, the episodes are stored on the watch itself. You can leave your iPhone at home and use Bluetooth headphones or the watch speaker. The watch needs to have the episode downloaded, which happens automatically when you are on Wi‑Fi.
How long is a Time to Walk episode?
Most episodes are between 25 and 40 minutes long. The exact length varies by guest. Some are shorter, around 20 minutes, and some are longer, up to 45 minutes. The watch shows the total time before you start.
Can I pause and resume a Time to Walk episode?
Yes, you can pause at any time by tapping the pause button on the watch screen. The episode will resume where you left off when you press play again. If you stop the workout, the episode will also stop, and you can resume it later from the Workout app.
Does Time to Walk count toward my activity rings?
Yes, because it starts an outdoor walk workout, it counts toward your Exercise ring and your Move ring. You will also earn the same achievements as you would for any other walk.
Can I use Time to Walk on an older Apple Watch?
Time to Walk works on Apple Watch Series 3 or later. If you have a Series 2 or earlier, the feature is not available. You also need to update to watchOS 7.2 or later.
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