17 Reasons You Need an Apple Watch in Your Life
When it comes to wearable tech you can use with your iPhone, it's really hard to beat the Apple Watch.
Since Apple launched the first Apple Watch, it's become a staple for many iPhone users. Not only can use you use it to check your notifications or use other iPhone apps, but thanks to all the health features on this device, the Apple Watch has literally saved some people's lives.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. You can also watch some of your photos, play games, and so much more. Whether you want to keep your health in check or just want a way to look at your notifications without taking out your iPhone, the Apple Watch is an amazing wearable you'll love to have.
Still, not everyone is convinced that they need an Apple Watch. If you're still on the fence, read on for 17 Apple Watch features that might change your mind.
Keep Track of Your Heart Rate
One of the most basic Apple Watch features is the ability to track your heart rate throughout the day.
Just by wearing your Apple Watch, your heart rate will be monitored at regular intervals. You'll be alerted to any irregular activity, but you can also open the Heart app at any time to check your current heart rate.
You'll also find a chart there with more information about your heart's behavior during the day, week, month, or year. It's an amazingly useful feature that can significantly improve your life.
Basic heart rate monitoring has been available on the Apple Watch since the first model came out. More advanced features like irregular heart rhythm notifications require an Apple Watch Series 3 or newer.
Check the Electrical Activity of Your Heart
Modern Apple Watches can also track the electrical activity inside your heart. Thanks to the ECG app, you can easily keep track of the electrical signals that affect your heart's rhythm.
While it's not the same as actually going to the doctor, this app can help you determine if there's an unusual activity in your heart. Many people have mentioned how this feature has helped them detect life-threatening heart conditions, so it might be a good idea to get an Apple Watch just because of this.
You'll be able to use the ECG app on the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer models, excluding the Apple Watch SE lineup.
Record Your AFib History
Atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib, is an irregularity where the upper chambers of your heart beat at a different pace from the lower chambers. While most people with this condition can lead a normal happy life, they might encounter some problems in the long run if their heart spends too much time in atrial fibrillation.
That's where your Apple Watch comes in. If you've been diagnosed with this condition, your watch can keep a record of your AFib history throughout the days or weeks, so you can share it with your doctor. You can check your AFib history on an Apple Watch Series 4 or a newer model.
Live a Mindful Life
The Apple Watch comes with a cool app called Mindfulness that could be your new best friend if you're always stressing out.
The Mindfulness app reminds you to take a few minutes to breathe, think about positive things, and remember the good memories that you rarely ever remember by yourself. Moreover, you can also access meditation classes if you decide to subscribe to Apple Fitness+.
You'll find the Mindfulness app on the Apple Watch Series 3 or newer models.
Track Your Workouts
Even if you don't want to pay for Apple Fitness+, you can still use your Apple Watch to workout from anywhere. Thanks to the Workouts app, you can record and keep track of pretty much any workout, including weight-lifting, dancing, and even outdoor runs.
Not only that but all this data syncs with your iPhone, so you can keep track of your progress with the Health app or with your Apple Watch Rings (which we'll talk about in a moment).
You'll find the Workouts app on pretty much any Apple Watch, including the Apple Watch Series 3 and newer models.
Track Your Medicines
Thanks to watchOS 9, you can easily keep track of all your medications on your Apple Watch.
The new Medications app lets you log the medicines you need to take and set reminders for when you need to take them. Not only will this help you remember, but you can also get more information about your medications. For instance, you can see if the medications will have any side effects if you mix them with other substances like alcohol, drugs, or caffeine.
The Medications app is available on the Apple Watch Series 4 and later models.
Track the Oxygen Levels in Your Blood
Your blood needs as much oxygen as possible to work properly. Usually, anything above 90% means you're doing great. However, it's hard to keep track of your oxygen levels by yourself. Or, should we say it used to be hard?
Starting with the Apple Watch Series 6, you can track the oxygen levels in your blood with the Blood Oxygen app. This app is pretty straightforward. You use it and wait to see your oxygen levels.
Moreover, thanks to this feature, modern Apple Watches can also track your respiratory rate throughout the day.
Use the Apple Watch to Pay
Just like your iPhone, the Apple Watch also supports Apple Pay. This handy feature will let you basically "transfer" your credit card or other payment card details to your Apple Watch so you can pay just by raising your wrist.
All you need to do is press the Apple Watch's side button, and you'll see your payment cards pop up on the screen. Apple Pay is available on pretty much any Apple Watch, but you need to have it paired with at least an iPhone 5 or newer model.
Record Conversations on the Go
You don't need to take out your iPhone to start recording a lecture. You can just use your Apple Watch's Voice Memos app. You can quickly record anything, and it'll be stored on your iPhone in just a few moments.
You'll find the Voice Memos app in older Apple Watches, like the Apple Watch Series 3 or newer models.
Become a More Active Person
We all need to be active if we want to live a healthy life. Apple knows this, which is why it found a way to make workouts a bit more fun.
Enter the Apple Watch Activity Rings. These rings will track how much time you work out or stand up during the day, as well as how many calories you burn in a day.
What makes these rings so fun is that you'll earn badges for every challenge you finish. Some challenges are easy, but they keep getting harder the more you work out. Plus, there are also monthly challenges to keep you entertained and active.
You'll find the Activity app and your rings in the Apple Watch Series 3 or later models.
Use the Apple Watch as a Music Player
Whether you use Apple Music, the Podcasts app, or Spotify, you can control all your music and podcasts from your Apple Watch. Moreover, you can even download music into your Apple Watch so you can play your favorite playlists without needing your iPhone.
Besides having a music streaming service installed, you'll also need an Apple Watch Series 3 or a newer model.
Discover New Music With Your Wrist
In addition to simply listening to music, you can also discover the names of new songs in a flash. Thanks to the Shazam app for the Apple Watch, you can quickly find the name of a song you want without using your iPhone.
Not only that, but you can even ask Siri for the name. Just say something like "Hey Siri, what's the name of this song?" to your Apple Watch, and Siri will let you know the name in a matter of seconds.
To use the Shazam app, you'll need an Apple Watch Series 3 or a newer model.
Keep Your Hearing Healthy With Your Watch
Believe it or not, the Apple Watch can also help with your hearing health.
Enter the Noise app. This app will actively use your Apple Watch's microphone to "listen" to your surroundings. If the app thinks the noise around you is too high, it'll send you a notification suggesting that you move to other places.
You can use the Noise app on the Apple Watch Series 4 or newer models.
Keep Track of your Menstrual Cycle
If you're a woman who is having trouble keeping up with your monthly cycles, the Apple Watch can give you a better insight into your body's patterns.
Just by entering a bit of data about yourself, the Cycle Tracking app will help you stay on top of your menstrual cycle, which can be especially handy if you're trying to conceive a child. You can find this app in the Apple Watch Series 3 or a newer model.
Use the Apple Watch as a Flash Light
The Apple Watch has a small feature that comes in handy more often than you might think.
You can use your Apple Watch as a flashlight with the help of the Watch's Control Center. Just open it and press the flashlight icon. Your Apple Watch's screen will turn white and shine as brightly as it can.
You can use the flashlight on an Apple Watch Series 3 or newer models.
Use the Apple Watch to Find Your iPhone
How many times have you lost your iPhone at home? Wouldn't it be better to have a button you can press to find it?
Well, the Apple Watch has exactly that button. Called the Ping iPhone button, you can tap it, and your iPhone will immediately start making sounds, so it's easier to find. Still can't find it? You can press and hold the ping iPhone button, and your iPhone will ping again and will also start flashing, so it's even easier to locate.
You can find this feature on the Apple Watch Series 3 or older models.
Talk to Other Apple Watch Owners
Even without your iPhone nearby, you can "call" and talk to other people with an Apple Watch.
Thanks to the Walkie-Talkie button on your Apple Watch's Control Center, you can add friends and call them in a flash. You can find this feature on an Apple Watch Series 3 or newer models.