THE RUNNER’S GUIDE
How to take splits on Apple Watch.
In PaceBuzz, use Track or Road to record manual running splits with an enabled Crown turn, one firm slap on your wrist or Watch, or the Crown and side button pressed together. The stopwatch keeps running between splits. Choose the input that suits your run.
What do I need?
An iPhone with iOS 18.1 or later and an Apple Watch with watchOS 11.1 or later. Build and set up sessions on the phone, then run them on the watch.
Take your first split
Choose your face and inputs
On iPhone, open Setup and choose Track or Road. In Take Splits, enable the methods you want. You can also change face mode and split inputs in Settings within PaceBuzz on Apple Watch. Slap Split needs Motion access.
Start on Apple Watch
Open PaceBuzz on Apple Watch, choose your workout if you have one, and turn the Digital Crown to start the stopwatch. Return to the timer before using Slap Split. A slap does not start a new Track or Road run.
Record at your marker
At the line or end of your interval, use one enabled split input. PaceBuzz records the elapsed interval and advances a structured workout. The split time briefly stays on screen while the session clock continues.
Three ways to record a split
Digital Crown
Make one short, firm turn in either direction. Keep your wrist raised and the display awake; with the display asleep, a short turn may only wake it. Try Crown Practice before your workout.
Slap Split
Give your wrist or Watch one firm slap. Motion is detected on the Watch, without a microphone or touchscreen tap. During an active Track or Road workout it can work with your wrist down. Paused screens, menus and early-slap guards can prevent a split; practice at your running pace first.
Crown + side button
Press the Digital Crown and side button together when this input is enabled in PaceBuzz. Turn off the Apple Watch screenshot shortcut so the same press does not capture the screen.
Choose the mode for the job
Track: time cues at marked distances
Set a target time and a 100 m or 200 m cue interval. Haptics follow a timed schedule for the track marks; they do not detect when you cross a line. Record your own split at the marker.
Road: GPS pacing feedback
Road can use GPS pace or distance for feedback alongside structured workouts and manual splits. GPS readings and time-based track cues answer different questions; select the feedback that fits the session.
Basic: automatic distance splits
Basic records each mile or kilometer and the final partial split automatically. Its enabled split inputs pause or resume GPS instead of creating manual interval splits. Time, distance and average pace hold during a Basic GPS pause; heart-rate collection continues.
Race: follow a race plan
Race has its own clock and pacing plan. With Slap Split enabled, a slap can start the ready race; later slaps do not record manual race splits. Use Track or Road when you want to mark each repetition yourself.
Questions runners ask
Is a lap the same as a split?
A lap is a circuit, such as one lap of a 400 m track. A split is a timed section you record. You can take a PaceBuzz split at a lap line, every repetition, or at another marker; it need not be a full lap.
How do I undo an accidental split?
In Track or Road, make three short Crown turns, reversing direction each time, during Split Cooldown. With Slap Split, let the split confirmation finish, then slap again within the cooldown to undo. Check the on-screen confirmation before continuing.
Do pacing vibrations record splits for me?
No. A track cue is a reminder on your target-time schedule. A road alert is GPS feedback. Neither records a manual split or advances a structured workout; you choose the moment with your split input.
Why did my short test run not save?
Sessions ended before 60 seconds are discarded in every face mode. Keep a test running for at least one minute if you want it saved, then end and save it. Review the run on iPhone after it transfers.
Can I take splits without Premium?
Yes. Manual splits, pacing and Strava uploads are free. Free PaceBuzz keeps 3 current workouts and details for your latest 3 runs. Premium is a one-time purchase for unlimited current workouts, full history and restoring archived workouts; the app shows the current price.
How do I mark a segment in Apple’s Workout app?
Apple’s separate Workout app supports a double-tap on the display during a workout to mark a segment. On Apple Watch Ultra, the Action button can mark a segment when configured for Workout. Those are Apple’s controls; the Crown, slap and simultaneous-button instructions above describe PaceBuzz.
Try the rhythm before the next rep.
Use the interactive Crown and track-pacing demos, then set up your own session in PaceBuzz. For a problem with your settings or a saved run, contact support.