<\/p>\n However, Apple\u2019s home baked apps aren\u2019t the only show in town. In fact, the Apple Watch App Store is absolutely brimming with options. Below, I\u2019ve highlighted my seven favorite third-party apps for Apple Watch, including options for fitness tracking, entertainment, navigation, and more.<\/p>\n You may like<\/p>\n But first, here\u2019s a quick refresher on downloading apps to your Apple Watch.<\/p>\n How to download apps to your Apple Watch<\/p>\n Tap the digital crown to enter your Apple Watch\u2019s app view and select the App Store app (the icon is blue with a white ‘A’). There, you can search for and download all of the third-party apps listed below, and many more.<\/p>\n My favorite third-party Apple Watch appsStrava<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Future\/Tom’s Guide)<\/p>\n You don\u2019t need to be a paying Strava<\/a> subscriber \u2014 I\u2019m not \u2014 to make use of the app on your Apple Watch. Better yet, you can track a huge number of activities from it without ever needing to pick up your iPhone; the Strava app uses the watch\u2019s onboard GPS for location data.<\/p>\n From skateboarding to windsurfing to backcountry skiing, Strava covers even the most nuanced outdoor activities. The app is also clean and easy to navigate. Post workout, all your data gets synced with your Strava account, allowing you to view the insights from your efforts on a larger screen.<\/p>\n Nike Run Club<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Nike Run Club)<\/p>\n You don\u2019t need to own a pair of Nike sneakers to use the Nike Run Club<\/a> app either. In fact, it\u2019s completely free for all users, and a crowd favorite among the pavement pounders on our staff. Think of it as your personalized running coach, with stat tracking, training advice, and even motivational messaging.<\/p>\n It also works brilliantly with Apple\u2019s own Fitness app, automatically syncing all of your running data. Plus, you can use it to record runs sans-smartphone; like Strava on Apple Watch, Nike Run Club uses the Apple Watch\u2019s GPS for location data.<\/p>\n Pedometer++<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n One issue I have with the Apple Watch\u2019s onboard fitness tracking app is that it doesn\u2019t provide step count totals for individually tracked activities, like walks and hikes. Instead, users simply get a running step-count total for the day.<\/p>\n You may like<\/p>\n So, if you want to keep tabs on your steps, the best way to do it is using the free Pedometer++ app. Not only has it proven itself accurate in our testing, but it\u2019s also dead-simple to navigate, and you can even add a step count complication to your watch face via Pedometer++.<\/p>\n AllTrails<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Dan Bracaglia\/Tom’s Guide)<\/p>\n AllTrails<\/a> is the best hiking app I\u2019ve ever used, and a great addition to your Apple Watch if you love the outdoors. Keep your smartphone in your pocket and navigate Mother Nature right from your wrist. The app supports offline navigational maps and can even be set up to alert you if you venture too far from your intended route.<\/p>\n While hiking, you can view your real-time metrics at a glance, including pace, speed, distance covered, and elevation. Post-hike, all of the tracking data recorded by the AllTrails app syncs seamlessly with the Apple Health app.<\/p>\n Calm<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Calm)<\/p>\n It\u2019s a hectic world out there. Sometimes you simply need to take a few moments to focus on your breathing or take a short mindfulness walk to reset the nervous system. With the free Calm app<\/a>, guided meditation sessions are only a few taps of your Apple Watch away.<\/p>\n These free sessions range in length from just five minutes up to thirty minutes, and feature topics like de-stressing, building focus, encouraging confidence, and more. However, while the app is free to download, you only get a limited number of on-the-house meditations per month unless you pony up some extra cash.<\/p>\n Spotify<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n Spotify<\/a> is my go-to streaming platform on my iPhone, with more music on offer than I\u2019ll ever be able to listen to in a lifetime. It also features weekly song recommendations based on your listening preferences, and an easy-to-navigate user interface.<\/p>\n Best of all, Spotify Premium subscribers \u2014 like myself \u2014 can download albums and playlists directly to their Apple Watch for offline listening. Even if you don\u2019t pay for Premium, the Spotify Apple Watch app is a handy way to search and listen to tunes directly from your wrist.<\/p>\n Google Maps<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: Google)<\/p>\n Google Maps<\/a> is my preferred app for navigation on the Apple Watch, but to use it, you\u2019ll need to first punch in your destination and travel method (foot, bike, car, ect.) into the Google Maps app on your paired iPhone. Once navigation begins, your Apple Watch will automatically display the directions while providing haptic feedback whenever you need to make a turn.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \n <\/a><\/p>\n Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News<\/a> and add us as a preferred source<\/a> to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. <\/p>\n More from Tom’s Guide<\/p>\n Today’s best Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch SE 3 deals<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The latest Apple Watch models ship with tons of useful apps built right in. 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