Apple Watch Features You May Not Know

The Apple Watch is a device which most people use every day without even realizing half of its capability. For many users, it is a platform for notifications, a health companion, and a simple time teller. Under the surface, the Apple Watch has a plethora of hidden or little-known features which, in the background, improve convenience, productivity, communication, and daily life. Whether you’re a user of the older models or the very latest version, here are some Apple Watch features you may not be aware of but which you will almost certainly find very useful.

1. Flash your iPhone with a light burst.

Also, it is known that you can use your Apple Watch to find your iPhone when it’s out of reach. What you may not know is that you can get your iPhone’s flash to go on and off also, which is very useful in dark settings or loud environments in which you don’t want to be disturbed by sound.

Just tap to open Control Center on the Watch, then hold the Ping icon for a second. Your iPhone will flash repeatedly, which makes it easy to see.

2. Access your Mac without password.

If you are a Mac owner, you can have the Apple Watch open your device the second you get close to it — no typing passwords or using Touch ID. This is almost magical. The watch does the authentication, which happens in an instant; also, it saves you time and effort. For someone that is constantly jumping back and forth between applications on their laptop, that is a nice touch.

3. Use your watch as a remote for your camera.

The Apple Watch now features the Camera Remote app integration that changes your watch into a little view for your iPhone cam. You see through your iPhone’s eye, touch to focus, and also set a timer for group pics. This is great for no-hands shots, taking selfies from distance, or wide photos without having to hold your phone.

4. Hand health timing device.

One overlooked feature is that as soon as you go to the sink, the Watch will detect that you are washing your hands by motion and sound. The Watch in turn will set a timer during which you are to scrub. This is a very handy feature which many pass on but which runs in the background silently.

5. Sleep tracking and Relax Mode.

Apple Watch monitors your sleep; we also see it to have a Wind Down mode which is a step beyond just tracking the length of time you sleep. This feature reduces screen time, dims the phone’s screen, and in general gets you in a better frame of mind for bed. Also, most people don’t play with these features, which is a shame as they do a great job of setting the stage for sleep.

6. Quiet Tap notices.

Standard taps include the much softer “Silent Haptic Alerts.” This gentler alert feels like a light touch to the wrist instead of a vibration. It is subtle, private, and best for use in meetings, while studying, or in quiet settings when you do not want to produce sound or have a buzz.

7. Sketch to type without speaking.

On the Watch you can draw out letters with your finger, which is what they do — it’s smooth and faster than expected. Also, it is very helpful in times when you can’t talk out loud or do not wish to take out your phone.

8. Theater setting for quiet times.

Theater Mode was designed to keep your Watch screen off and silent until you tap it. We did this to avoid unintended screen illumination in movie theaters, meetings, late-at-night rooms, or any time you do not wish bright screens to distract you.

9. Handset radio communication.

Apple Watch has a contemporary twist to the walkie-talkie idea. You may communicate right away with your friend through the push-to-talk feature. Also very fun, this feature is also practical in which you have to coordinate while traveling or in the home.

10. Monitor your heart rate from the Watch face.

Most people open the Heart app, which they have to do manually, but we also have an option to include a complication which puts your heart rate right onto the Watch face, and it updates constantly through the day. It gives you that instant info on how your heart is doing in response to your daily activity, stress, or movement at a glance.

11. Switch up which apps you’re using like a pro.

You can switch between any of your last used apps by double tapping the Digital Crown. It functions almost as a digital version of the “Alt-Tab” key on a computer, which in turn makes multitasking a lot easier.

12. Share your watch face with a friend.

If you have designed a great-looking or practical Watch face layout, you may share it out with another Apple Watch user right away. They will get the same design, color scheme, and complication setup which they can put to use.

13. On your wrist use “Find Devices” and “Find Items.”

Your Apple Watch is now a home for tracking your AirTags and AirPods and other Apple devices. The Watch includes features which present directions and also tells you the proximity of the items, which in turn makes it a lot easier to find what you’re looking for without having to take out your phone.

14. Exact time via haptic Feedback.

If you put your two fingers on the watch face, the Apple Watch will tell you the time through silent taps on your wrist. Each tap is a code which stands for the hours and minutes. It is great for discreetly checking the time, which in turn does not light up the screen.

15. Tailor your workout display.

Many users of the Workout app are not aware they are able to change what you see on the screen — pace, distance, heart rate, active calories, elevation, and more. We allow you to design your own workout dashboard which is tailored to your goals.

16. Wear your Apple Watch for hands-free Siri.

You do not have to lift your wrist or use the Digital Crown. Just lift the Watch a bit and issue your command, which will in turn wake Siri. It is for quick tasks, reminders, and messages that this feature works best.

17. Check the time with outstretched arm.

The Wake mode sets the time so that it is visible faintly without having to fully lift your wrist, which is perfect if you like to check the time without drawing attention to the fact the screen is very bright.

18. Unlock your iPhone with a mask on.

Your Apple Watch may open up your iPhone even if Face ID is not working properly. If you are wearing the Watch and it is awake on your wrist, your iPhone will immediately verify you.

19. Fall detection and safety features.

Many people are aware of the basic features, but the Watch has more in-depth emergency options, including automatic detection which will detect serious falls and then alerts that allow quick calling of help. It goes off in the background also without the need of daily manual setup.

20. Wear your Watch as a travel companion.

The Apple Watch has turn notifications that you feel out of the corner of your eye — you don’t have to glance at the Watch at all — instead you get a left or right tap, which is enough to get your attention. This allows you to stay aware of your environment while you walk.

Final Thoughts

Apple Watch comes with a great deal of features which the average user may not get a chance to use. We have hidden gestures, discreet alerts, automatic unlock, camera control, and item tracking which go beyond the basic functionality of checking notifications. If you are after convenience, productivity boosts, or just small day-to-day improvements, we recommend you to check out these under-the-radar features which will get you the most out of your Apple Watch.