Best Walking Apps for the Movement 26.2 Challenge
Movement 26.2's app and device requirements remain unconfirmed. You can still choose an app to track your own walks and help you keep going. Compare Motion, Apple Health, Google Health and Garmin below.
Do you need a special app for Movement 26.2?
Part of our Movement 26.2 guide. Last checked: 14 October 2026.
We do not yet know whether Movement 26.2 will need a special app. TechRadar's July report describes logging walks online, by phone or by smartwatch. We have not verified an official app download or final tracking instructions.
This page compares apps you can use for your own walking now. It is not an approved app list for the scheme. For registration and launch updates, see our sign-up guide.
Do you need a smartwatch for Movement 26.2?
There is no confirmed reason to buy a watch for Movement 26.2. Phone tracking is one of the options described in July reporting, though final requirements remain unverified.
For your own walking, a phone may already give you the numbers you need. For example, Apple Health counts steps and walking distance on an iPhone. Check that your chosen app records a walk before relying on its totals.
Will Apple Watch, Fitbit or Garmin work with Movement 26.2?
No brand-specific connection to the scheme has been verified in our latest check. That includes Apple Watch, Fitbit and Garmin.
A device counting your walks is different from the scheme accepting its data. TechRadar discusses possible tracking options, but does not provide an approved compatibility list.
Keep using your current tracker for your own progress if it suits you. Wait for the scheme's instructions before changing devices to take part.
Which walking apps are best for a marathon-a-month goal?
Choose an app for the help you need today. Motion is listed first because it is ours. None of these apps has a confirmed data link to Movement 26.2.
| App | Cost | Useful for | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motion | Free tier, with optional paid Motion Hero features | Weekly activity goals that adapt to you, plus a Motmot that grows as you move | Connect a supported phone, watch or tracker. See Motion's compatibility guide |
| Apple Health | Included on iPhone | Viewing steps and walking distance your iPhone records | Carry your phone when you walk. Health and the Fitness app have different roles |
| Google Health, formerly Fitbit | Base app, with paid Premium coaching | Keeping activity and health data together, especially if you already use Fitbit | Features vary by device and subscription. Check which connections provide your walking data |
| Garmin Connect | Core features free, optional Connect+ subscription | Viewing walking and training data from a Garmin device | Best suited to people who already use compatible Garmin hardware |
| NHS Active 10 | Free | Checking brisk walking time | It focuses on brisk minutes. Do not treat it as a Movement 26.2 entry or mileage record |
For simple distance history, your existing health app may be enough. Motion's focus is helping you keep moving through weekly goals and a virtual pet. A Garmin owner may prefer their usual training data for detailed workout reviews.
Google announced the Fitbit app's move to Google Health in May 2026. Its announcement also described plans to invite Google Fit users to migrate later in 2026. That is not a reason to assume every Google Fit installation has stopped working.
On Android, Health Connect helps supported apps share health data. Some versions can also count phone steps, but setup and device support vary. It is not the same product as Google Health or a walking app that works without setup on every phone. Android documentation.
For other options, see our best step tracker apps guide.
Why does a forgiving, habit-based app suit the monthly target?
A goal that fits your week can make it easier to return after a busy day. You do not need to choose an app based on guessed reward rules.
Motion sets a weekly activity goal using your recent activity history. Goals adjust over time, and your activity helps your Motmot grow. It is free to start, with optional paid features.
These are Motion features, not Movement 26.2 rewards. Motion does not register you for the scheme or submit activity to it. Our rewards guide explains what has been reported about the scheme itself.
What about the free NHS Active 10 app?
Active 10 is a free app for brisk walking. The NHS describes how it shows when you are walking briskly and suggests ways to fit more of that walking into your day.
That is a different job from registering for Movement 26.2. The NHS name does not establish an app connection to the scheme. Use the table above to choose between brisk-minute feedback, distance history and help building a habit.
How many steps do you need to track for Movement 26.2?
Roughly 52,000 to 59,000 steps over the month, or about 1,750 to 1,970 a day, depending on your stride length. That's based on about 2,000 steps per walked mile, a little fewer if you're tall. For the full workings, plus a table by height and pace, see how many steps is a marathon.
More in the Movement 26.2 guide
Movement 26.2: the full guide
Latest launch status, reported plans and links to every Movement guide.
Read moreHow to sign up for Movement 26.2
Registration status, reported launch dates and entry rules still to be confirmed.
Read moreMovement 26.2 points and rewards
Proposed reward types, with sources and details still to be confirmed.
Read moreDaily minimum and rest days
What the reports say, where they differ and which rules remain unverified.
Read moreBest apps for Movement 26.2: FAQs
If you have anything else you want to ask, reach out to us.
Does Apple Watch work with Movement 26.2?
A connection has not been verified. Apple Watch can record activity, but that does not mean Movement 26.2 will accept its data. Wait for the scheme's supported-device instructions.
Is a phone accurate enough to track 26.2 miles a month?
A phone can help estimate your own walking. Apple Health, for example, records steps and walking distance. Estimates depend on how you carry the phone and how the app measures distance. We cannot yet confirm what accuracy or tracking method the scheme will require.
Will Motion connect to the NHS scheme?
There is no confirmed integration between Motion and Movement 26.2. Motion can help you build a walking habit with adaptive weekly goals and a Motmot. Downloading it does not register you or submit activity to the scheme.
What is the NHS Active 10 app?
It is a free app for brisk walking. The NHS says it shows when you are walking fast enough and suggests ways to fit more brisk walking into your day. It is not a confirmed Movement 26.2 app.
Which app should a complete beginner start with?
Choose the help you need. Your phone's health app may be enough to see walking history. Motion adds a weekly goal that adapts to your activity and a Motmot to grow. Check that your walks are being recorded before relying on any app's totals.
Build your walking habit with Motion
Start with a weekly goal that adapts to your activity and a Motmot that grows as you move. Motion is free to start, with optional paid features. It is independent of Movement 26.2. Explore the Movement 26.2 guide.
