To stop it, start a new activity in the native activity app (ie, Outdoor Walk) and then end that Outdoor Walk right away. This happens to me every once in a while. Frustrating.
As stated in our related Zwift support article, “Apple® Watch support as a HR monitor is now in beta! While there may be some bugs, you can check it out now.”
This feature has remained in “beta” for several years and I’ve seen no indication that full support is happening any time soon.
Reading between the lines, it’s been my experience that when using Apple Watch as a heart rate monitor in Zwift, looking for the occasional workaround is likely one’s best bet to keep it feasibly functional.
I agree with you and I’ve always found that to be odd as well.
My only guess is that in order for Apple Watch to function as an HRM in Zwift, it requires a lot of extra steps above and beyond what’s typical for standard BLE enabled heart rate monitors.
So essentially, compared to more basic heart rate monitoring devices, using Apple Watch in Zwift has never been very “plug and play” and I’d guess that whatever technological hurdles presented by the app and/or device just haven’t evolved to the point where that’s become a reality.
"Additionally, for Apple Watch owners: we are aware that this experience needs upgrades and we are working on a longer term vision for support. In the meantime, the Zwift Game and Companion apps will be removed from the Watch App Store.
This means:
New users will not be able to install the Zwift Game or Companion apps
Legacy users will be able to use the watch apps, but will receive no updates to either app"
Sounds about right. Looks like there’s basic functionality for Zwifters who still use the Zwift and ZC apps on Apple Watch, but it sounds like we’re not supporting any new downloads of the app or further updates until the “longer term vision for support” comes to fruition.