A recent update to the Oura Ring fitness tracker has sparked frustration among some users after the company revealed that most users’ step counts would decrease.
The update, which affects the tracker’s “activity tracking system,” was introduced with the goal of improving accuracy. However, according to The Street, the change has led to significant dissatisfaction among users who believe the data has become less reliable.
The company stated that the update, which was implemented on March 26, 2025, aims to provide a more accurate reflection of real movement. However, this change resulted in a decrease in step counts for many users.
Oura’s new algorithms, designed to work similarly to a pedometer, now more effectively distinguish between actual steps and other activities involving hand movement. As a result, most users will see a reduction of about 500 steps per day compared to their previous data. Active users may experience a larger drop, losing as much as 2,000 steps daily, while less active users are likely to see no change.
In addition to the March update, Oura also released an April 11 update to improve workout tracking, along with internal optimizations and bug fixes. Earlier, a February 20 update aimed to enhance nap detection and optimize charging and battery level reporting. A March 27 update also focused on bug fixes and improvements.
Some users, like one who believed they walked 2.5 miles, found that the tracker only counted 1.5 miles after the update. Despite these concerns, Oura emphasizes that its tracker is designed to register all daily movements, from light housework to intense workouts, with high precision in recognizing steps within a short 30-second window.
