WatchOS WKSession turn off Heartrate monitor during background

I am currently working on an app that compiles sensor data to a csv file for use in health applications. This data is collected in the background via HKWorkoutSession. I'm not using any data from the healthstore, however, it is needed to start the workout session. During background run time, the apple watch continuously runs the heartrate monitor (the green light on the back of the watch).

Is there any way to disable this light from turning on? This app must maintain a low battery usage profile so it may run continuously for 12+ hours, however, the heart rate sensor chews through battery life.

Up vote post of jlawle Down vote post of jlawle
218 views
Posted by
jlawle
Reply
Add a Comment

Accepted Reply

There is not. As the name implies, the HKWorkout API is explicitly for workouts, and frequent heart rate readings are an integral part of the workout experience.

Posted by
Frameworks Engineer
Up vote reply of Frameworks Engineer Down vote reply of Frameworks Engineer
Post marked as solved

  • Is there another option for having an app run continuously in the background without establishing it as a background workout session via HKWorkoutSession? Is the only way to establish background app runtime only via also having the heart rate monitor on?

    —
    jlawle
Add a Comment

Replies

There is not. As the name implies, the HKWorkout API is explicitly for workouts, and frequent heart rate readings are an integral part of the workout experience.

Posted by
Frameworks Engineer
Up vote reply of Frameworks Engineer Down vote reply of Frameworks Engineer
Post marked as solved

  • Is there another option for having an app run continuously in the background without establishing it as a background workout session via HKWorkoutSession? Is the only way to establish background app runtime only via also having the heart rate monitor on?

    —
    jlawle
Add a Comment