It has been a six month wait for loyal Strava users for an Apple Watch app that can run untethered from the iPhone. Unfortunately, the first release of Strava’s native app has minimum features and is quite unstable. Apple Watch Series 2 owners can use Runkeeper, RunGo or Nike+ Run Club app for untethered runs until Strava releases the next update.

What Works:

• Watch can pairs with BLE heart rate sensors
• GPS Tracking without a phone

What is missing?:

• Custom Screen Layout – limited to Avg Split Pace / Time Out / Pace / HR / Miles
• No swimming
• No maps or routes
• No audio cues or notifications
• No taptic feedback
• HR data can be very delayed
• No discard run/ride option – automatically sync when in proximity to iPhone
• Auto-pause is kicks in
• No end of run summary
• No cadence
• No elevation data
• No screen/button lock
• No GPS icon
• No Battery icon
• No Live segments

While this release was long anticipated and disappointing it does sound as though Strava will make an effort to improve on this missing features. In the meantime I’m sticking with a Garmin Vivoactive HR for all my activity tracking.

Sources:

Strava Forum Apple Watch Series 2 Update