Apple Watch Owners Challenged to Earn Thanksgiving Day Activity Achievement - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Watch Owners Challenged to Earn Thanksgiving Day Activity Achievement

Apple is celebrating Thanksgiving this year by urging U.S. Apple Watch owners to bag a special achievement by recording a minimum walking or running distance on Thursday, November 28.

thanksgiving apple watch challenge 2019
As with past holidays, Apple Watch owners can earn an exclusive badge and an iMessage sticker if they complete the challenge.

To earn the turkey-themed badge and sticker, Apple Watch wearers must clock up a 5-kilometer (3.1 mile) walk, run, or wheelchair workout. Apple's Thanksgiving Day challenge was first spotted by Kyle Seth Gray, who shared his discovery on Twitter.

To record the activity, wearers need to use Apple's stock Workout app or a third-party app that feeds data to Apple's HealthKit. An ‌Apple Watch‌ user's history of achievements can be viewed any time via the Achievements tab on the iOS Activity app.

Apple first challenged Apple Watch owners to get out on Thanksgiving Day in 2016, and then again in 2017, but no challenge was forthcoming in 2018.

Thanksgiving is a U.S. holiday, so the challenge obviously won't show up for Apple Watch users set to other regions. The last special activity challenge Apple promoted occurred on Monday for Veterans Day.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...

Top Rated Comments

Justin Cymbal Avatar
83 months ago
Sounds like fun! I’m up to the challenge! I’ll be in Cleveland visiting relatives for Thanksgiving so my cousins and I can go for a walk after we eat!

I am flying in Thanksgiving morning, get in at 11 am so I’m sure I’ll get a lot of walking at the airports as well..
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
83 months ago
Just a heads up after learning this the hard way.. You need to specifically go into the Workout watch app and start an outdoor run/hike etc. You simply don't just go on a 5k/~3 mile walk or hike, as it's not the cumulative movement in your day.

Oh yes, that 5 mile hike on National Parks Day was nice, but I didn't start a 'workout' so I didn't get the badge.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fozziebear71 Avatar
83 months ago

Pretty pointless having achievements outside the US. Just switch them off and don't market them.
I learned a long time ago they are pretty pointless anyway. I have many of these "rewards" disappear when I have upgraded watches and/or phones and no one at Apple has ever been able to get them back for me or explain why it happens in the first place.

I am a runner so I get them when they show up regardless. But I mostly ignore them because I know at some point they will disappear anyway.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
83 months ago

Sounds like fun! I’m up to the challenge! I’ll be in Cleveland visiting relatives for Thanksgiving so my cousins and I can go for a walk after we eat!

I am flying in Thanksgiving morning, get in at 11 am so I’m sure I’ll get a lot of walking at the airports as well..
you have to do an activity of 5k or more to earn the badge.Your airport walking won't count unless you walk/run/wheelchair for at least 5k with the app running. "Total miles" doesn't count.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
28Gauge Avatar
83 months ago
I will do it.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)