18 Brilliant Ways to Get More out of Your Apple Watch
Credit: iMatteo
The Apple Watch can do so many different things that we aren't surprised if you feel a little overwhelmed. Listing all of the various customizations and apps that the Apple Watch can support would take too much time – but we want to help Apple Watch owners by discussing some of the lesser known (yet incredibly useful) features that can help them use the Watch in more ways than ever before Ready to learn some surprising new things? Continue reading to browse 18 Brilliant Ways to Get More out of Your Apple Watch.
Use a Calculator
Are you doing quick math on-the-go? Or calculations in another app? Switching back and forth between the app and the calculator can become incredibly annoying! So why not enlist your Apple Watch to help out? You can download standard/scientific calculators like Pcalc for the Apple Watch and use it as a handy accessory when doing your math work. You'll wish you did it sooner. A free version is also available.
Use the Apple TV Remote
The Apple Watch comes with the Remote app already installed. If the Remote app has been set up on your iPhone, your Watch can automatically become an Apple TV remote. If not, the setup is simple, but we suggest doing it from the iPhone or iPad first. When ready, press the Digital Crown, open the Remote app, and select the Apple TV icon to get started — just navigate the interface with simple swipes!
Unlock Your Mac without a Password
The Apple Watch has security features that not everyone knows about: you can enable an auto–unlock so that it will automatically sign you into your Mac as you come near. Head to System Preferences on your Mac, go to the General tab, and select "Allow your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac." It's a handy security feature that also allows you to sign-off on your Mac when stepping away.
Get Instant Silence
Have you been in an embarrassing moment where your Apple Watch rang or beeped or even started playing music at the worst time? Here's a handy trick – use your other hand and cover up the watch face. The Apple Watch will detect this and go into silent mode. It's the ideal solution for a board meeting, first date, or any other time you'd prefer the watch to stay quiet.
Take Advantage of Apple Pay
The Apple Watch also functions with Apple Pay. That means you don't have to take out your iPhone for an awkward hover or tap each time you want to pay for something. Just double click the side button on your Apple Watch when it's close to the payment terminal. Your Watch will tap back when it's connected, and then your payment is processed! It's never been easier.
Reorganize Your Apps for Easy Access
The honeycomb layout of apps on the Apple Watch
certainly isn't for everyone. Fortunately, you can customize this in all sorts
of ways. You can press the app display with a hard tap to gain access to
different layouts, or touch and hold an app down to move it to a different
spot.
Use Its Smart Home Controls
Apple devices support smart home controls in many ways, and the Apple Watch is no exception. You can open the Home app directly from the Watch and use it to control all your various connected devices, like lights, locks and more. Keep in mind that smart devices have to be compatible with HomeKit and connected to the Home app for this trick to work. But if you're in the HomeKit ecosystem, controlling your smart home from an Apple Watch is one great way to keep your iPhone stashed in your pocket.
Use the Camera App for Group Photos
Want to get the perfect photo? Your Apple Watch can help! Position your iPhone and then open the Camera app on your watch. You can view the image as the iPhone sees it, adjust the exposure, set timers for the picture, and more. It's great for getting those tricky group shots!
Find Your iPhone
Have you lost your iPhone? Your Apple Watch can help; if you know what to do! From the watch face, swipe up to show the Control Center. One of the options here will be a vibrating iPhone icon. If you select it, your iPhone will give out a loud chime to help you locate it. It's an ideal solution if you just misplaced your iPhone and need a little help getting it back.
Take Screenshots
Did you know that the Apple Watch can take screenshots? In the General section of My Watch, you can find the option that says Enable Screenshots to turn this function on. Then press the digital crown and side button at the same time to take a screenshot. That screenshot will automatically go to your Photos app on your iPhone. People may want to use this to capture workout data, for example.
Change Orientations on the Fly
If you're left-handed or need to use the watch on another wrist during a workout, don't worry! The Apple Watch will accommodate your needs. Head to the Watch app on your iPhone, go to General and select Watch orientation. This allows you to change the orientation easily. No problem!
Use Nightstand Mode
Nightstand mode is another fun Watch feature that you can enable. Essentially, this turns your watch into a dim sideways alarm clock, perfect for resting your watch on a bedside table while you 're sleeping. This way, you can check the time at a glance, or set alarms for a quick nap even if you don't have your iPhone handy.
Control Music Volume
When you're playing music on your AirPods, or any other connected Bluetooth headset, you'll see what's currently playing on the screen of your watch. But there's more! When this notification is showing, you can twist the digital crown, which will turn the volume up or down immediately. It's usually faster than using your iPhone or giving Siri volume directions, and you don't even need to look at your watch to use it.
Shoot Your Location to a Friend
Did you know that you can share your location on an Apple Watch in seconds? Launch the Messages app, open up a conversation, and press hard against the watch display. This will launch a Send Location option. It's handy for letting people know exactly where you are!
Create Your Own Default Replies
The Apple Watch allows you to send default replies for quick messages and responses, for both Messages and Mail apps. In the My Watch app on iPhone, you can go into the Messages section and customize your default replies to messages that you send most frequently.
Go Swimming
The Apple Watch Series 2 (and beyond) is waterproof enough to take for a swim, a shower, or a walk in heavy rain. But you don't want moisture to stay in there any longer than necessary, and fortunately the Watch has a feature for that. Swipe up from the Home screen to access the Control Center, and press the water-droplet icon. Then twist the Digital Crown, which will help eject any water that may be left inside.
Create Quick Timers
Just go to the Timer app and pick one of the common options for setting a timer – 1 minute, 10 minutes, etc. Scroll down a bit more, and you'll find options for creating a custom timer for more specific settings.
Use Theater Mode
Your Apple Watch may often light up for notifications, which is usually no issue, but annoying in a theater or other dark, quiet setting. Prepare for these spaces by swiping up to access the Control Center, and selecting the icon of two theater masks, then confirm theater mode. This will keep the lights and noise down.