To run an EKG on Apple Watch, open the ECG app, hold the Digital Crown, and stay still for 30 seconds.
Learning how to run an EKG on Apple Watch is simple once your watch is ready. This guide explains setup, the correct recording position, result meanings, common errors, safety limits, and what to do with your reading. The steps reflect Apple’s current ECG instructions and standard heart-monitoring guidance.
What an EKG on Apple Watch does
An EKG, also called an ECG, records the electrical signals that make your heart beat. The Apple Watch uses electrodes in the Digital Crown and the back crystal to create a single-lead recording.
This is different from the multi-lead EKG used in a clinic. A doctor can view more heart activity with a clinical EKG, while the Apple Watch offers a quick check for signs of an irregular rhythm.
The Apple Watch ECG app can classify a recording as:
• Sinus rhythm, which usually means the heart rhythm appears regular
• Atrial fibrillation, also called AFib, which is an irregular heart rhythm that may need medical review
• Inconclusive, which means the app could not classify the result
• Poor recording, which means the signal was not clear enough to analyze
An Apple Watch EKG does not detect every heart problem. It is not a replacement for a medical exam, a full EKG, or emergency care.
Check if your Apple Watch supports ECG
Before learning how to run an EKG on Apple Watch, confirm that your device supports the feature.
The ECG app works on Apple Watch Series 4 and later, including many Apple Watch Ultra models. Apple Watch SE models do not include the electrical heart sensors needed for an ECG. Availability can also differ by country or region because medical features need local approval.
You should also check these requirements:
• Your Apple Watch must have the ECG app installed
• Your watch must run a supported version of watchOS
• Your paired iPhone must use a compatible version of iOS
• You must be at least 22 years old to use the ECG app
• The feature must be available in your region
To check your watch, open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap General, then About. You can also search for ECG in the Apple Watch app list. If you do not see the app, update your devices and confirm regional availability.
Do not confuse the ECG app with irregular rhythm notifications. Irregular rhythm alerts can check for possible AFib in the background, but they do not create a full ECG recording when an alert appears.
Set up the ECG app
You need to complete setup before you can run an EKG on Apple Watch for the first time. Keep your iPhone nearby and make sure both devices have enough battery.
Follow these steps:
-
Open the Health app on your iPhone.
-
Tap Browse, then tap Heart.
-
Select Electrocardiograms, or ECG.
-
Tap Set Up ECG App.
-
Follow the instructions on the screen.
-
Enter your birth date when asked.
-
Read the safety information and finish the setup.
If the ECG app is already installed, you can open it from the Apple Watch. Press the Digital Crown and look for the ECG icon. You can also use the iPhone Watch app to confirm that the app is available.
If setup fails, update iOS and watchOS first. Then check that the watch is unlocked, worn on the wrist selected during setup, and paired with the correct iPhone.
How to run an EKG on Apple Watch
Once setup is complete, you can record an EKG in about 30 seconds. The process is painless and does not send electricity through your body.
Use this method for the clearest reading:
-
Sit down and rest your arm on a table or in your lap.
-
Make sure the Apple Watch fits snugly against your wrist.
-
Open the ECG app on the watch.
