If you have an iPhone, you probably already know it counts your steps, but here’s something you might not realise: your iPhone is quietly building a detailed map of how you walk.

Tucked away in the Health app are advanced mobility metrics; things like Walking Steadiness, Walking Asymmetry, and Double Support Time. These might sound like a lot of nonsense, but they’re actually powerful indicators of your health, balance, and stability.

The science in your pocket

Inside your iPhone is a motion co-processor, accelerometer, gyroscope, and barometer. Every time you walk, these sensors capture subtle movements of your hips and torso. Apple’s algorithms then analyse this data to paint a fairly (I say fairly because it depends how you carry your phone – more on that later) accurate picture of your walking pattern.

What your iPhone is really measuring

Walking Steadiness – a predictive score (High, OK, or Low) that estimates your risk of falling over the next 12 months:

High: Strong, steady gait.
OK: Slight variability, common in midlife and beyond.
Low: A sign of increased fall risk, suggesting balance or stability issues (you can also choose to receive notifications if your steadiness is Low or Very Low).

Walking Asymmetry – measures the percentage difference between your left and right steps:

Aim for 0–2%.
Anything consistently over 4% could reflect imbalances, past injuries, or fatigue.

Double Support Time – shows how much of your walking cycle you spend with both feet on the ground:

Lower numbers indicate a confident, dynamic stride.
Higher numbers (anything above 40%) may indicate cautious gait, balance issues, or reduced mobility

How to access this data

Open the Health app, then tap Browse > Mobility. A list should appear showing Double Support Time, Walking Speed, Walking Step Length, Walking Asymmetry, and Walking Steadiness. You can tap into any of these for an in depth analysis.

Please note – if you carry your phone in different ways regularly (for example, in your hand, back pocket, front pocket, shoulder bag, rucksack etc), then this can throw off the readings. For the most accurate results, carry your iPhone consistently in a front pocket or use a slim waist belt.

Why it matters

Walking is a window into your overall health. Subtle changes in gait can indicate early balance changes, recovery progress from injury, or even neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. Apple has built a surprisingly advanced walking analysis tool right into your phone, and it’s probably one of the most overlooked features of the Health app.

If you see an “OK” steadiness score or notice some asymmetry, don’t panic. Often, it’s a mix of fatigue, phone placement, and Apple’s conservative scoring system, but the readings give you something to think about, and it can also offer you suggestions on how to improve your walking strength.

Available on an iPhone 8 or later with iOS 15 and above.

What about Android?

Android is behind the curve with this kind of data, and generally relies on a smartwatch or fitness tracker for detailed gait metrics, whereas Apple builds these features directly into the iPhone itself – which is odd really if the results depend so much on where you carry it.

Google Fit tracks steps, cadence, and activity trends, but lacks Apple’s built-in fall-risk scores. And Samsung Health, Huawei Health, and other brand apps offer more detail, but only when paired with their watches or trackers.

In short, Apple has built these tools right into your iPhone, while Android users usually need a smartwatch or fitness tracker to get the same insights.

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