Using AirPods Pro 3 and Powerbeats Pro 2 with FITIV
AirPods Pro 3 and Powerbeats Pro 2 have heart rate sensors built into the earbuds. FITIV Pulse can use them as the heart rate source for a workout on your iPhone, so you get live heart rate zones, Strain, and training load from the earbuds you're already wearing for music, with no Apple Watch or chest strap.
What You Need
- AirPods Pro 3 or Powerbeats Pro 2, connected to your iPhone
- An iPhone running iOS 26 or later
- FITIV Pulse, with Apple Health permission to read heart rate and save workouts
Other AirPods and Beats models don't have this heart rate support in FITIV.
How to Set It Up
Step 1: Turn On Earbud Heart Rate
- AirPods Pro 3: with your AirPods in and connected, open Settings on your iPhone, tap your AirPods' name, and check that Heart Rate is on. It's on by default; if you don't see it, tap Privacy first. One earbud is enough for a reading.
- Powerbeats Pro 2: with your Powerbeats connected, open Settings, tap your Beats' name, and make sure Heart Rate Sensor is on. One earbud works; wearing both gives a more accurate reading.
Step 2: Choose Your Earbuds in FITIV
- Open FITIV and go to the Workout tab
- Tap the device banner at the bottom to open Workout Tracking
- Tap the AirPods Pro 3 or Powerbeats Pro row (below Apple Watch, if you have one). It shows Connected when your earbuds are ready
- Start your workout
If the row says Not Reachable, put your earbuds in and check that they're connected to your iPhone.
What You Get
With your earbuds as the heart rate source, FITIV runs the workout on your iPhone and gives you:
- Live heart rate and zones: see your heart rate zones on your iPhone and on your Lock Screen as a Live Activity
- Time in each zone and a full post-workout summary
- Voice Coaching spoken through your earbuds, briefly lowering your music
- Strain and training load: your workout heart rate counts toward your daily Strain score and your training load, which both feed your Training Readiness
- Apple Health sync: the workout is saved to Apple Health, including your route for outdoor GPS workouts
Stream Your Heart Rate to Gym Equipment
FITIV's Heart Rate Sync can rebroadcast your earbud heart rate to Peloton, Zwift, Concept2, and other equipment and apps that accept a Bluetooth heart rate signal, so your numbers show up on the bike or rower display too.
AirPods or Apple Watch?
In FITIV you choose one workout device: your earbuds or your Apple Watch, in Workout Tracking before you start. If you wear both, iOS uses whichever sensor has the most reliable reading at that moment.
Earbuds are great for workouts, but FITIV's Recovery score comes from overnight data like HRV and resting heart rate, which you don't get from earbuds. If you have an Apple Watch, wearing it to bed adds Recovery and Sleep scores alongside the workouts you track with your AirPods. Prefer a chest strap? See Bluetooth heart rate monitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Apple Watch to use AirPods Pro 3 heart rate in FITIV?
No. Your iPhone and AirPods Pro 3 (or Powerbeats Pro 2) are enough for live heart rate zones, Strain, and training load during workouts. An Apple Watch adds the overnight data behind FITIV's Recovery score.
Which earbuds work with FITIV for heart rate?
AirPods Pro 3 and Powerbeats Pro 2, on an iPhone running iOS 26 or later. Other AirPods and Beats models don't have this heart rate support in FITIV.
Can I use my AirPods and Apple Watch for heart rate at the same time?
You choose one workout device in FITIV: your earbuds or your Apple Watch. If you wear both, iOS uses whichever sensor has the most reliable reading at that moment.
Why don't I see my AirPods in Workout Tracking?
Check that your iPhone is on iOS 26 or later, that FITIV has Bluetooth access, and that your AirPods Pro 3 or Powerbeats Pro 2 are in your ears and connected. Also make sure Heart Rate (AirPods) or Heart Rate Sensor (Powerbeats) is on in your earbuds' settings.
