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Whether you've just lifted your Apple Watch or it's been adorning your wrist for months, it's capable of more than you think. Below are some of the best tips and tricks for the Apple Watch that you may not be aware of yet.
1. Unlock Your Mac
No doubt, one of the most intriguing features of the Apple Watch is its ability to unlock your Mac. Starting with macOS Sierra, Apple introduced a feature that allows you to unlock your Mac when your watch is nearby enough. As long as you have a Mac from mid-2013 or later (running Sierra 10.12 or later) and a watch running watchOS 3 or later, you can do it.
Ensure both your Apple Watch and Mac are synced to the same iCloud account. On your Mac, go to “System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> General”.
Check the box next to “Use Apple Watch to unlock apps and your Mac”. Now, when you approach the login screen a few steps, macOS will unlock instantly.
2. Capture Screenshots
While not as convenient as unlocking your Mac, the ability to capture screenshots can be useful at times. To do this on your Apple Watch, press the Digital Crown and the Side button simultaneously. Once you've taken a screenshot, it's immediately saved to the photo library on your iPhone.
3. Time Check
Imagine you're in a movie theater and you want to check the time without disturbing anyone. Instead of lifting your wrist, slowly twist the Digital Crown clockwise (upwards), and the screen will gradually illuminate, just enough to see the time. It's perfect for checking the time without affecting those around you.
4. Hold Calls
This is one of the most highly regarded tips on the Apple Watch. Let's say you're wearing your watch but your phone isn't nearby. When a call comes in, scroll up with the Digital Crown, then tap “Answer on iPhone” and the call will be placed on hold until you turn it off on your iPhone. The person on the other end hears a short repeating tone until you pick up.
5. Noise Level Monitoring
The release of watchOS 6 on Apple Watch Series 4 or newer introduced a significant new feature. Monitoring ambient noise levels is an intriguing tool on the watch that allows you to track the sound levels around you. Are you somewhere too noisy for more than three minutes? Your Apple Watch will let you know if your hearing might be at risk.
6. Fall Detection
One of the most underrated yet crucial safety features of the Apple Watch on Series 4 and above is Fall Detection. When the watch detects a fall with no movement afterward, it automatically calls emergency services and any emergency contacts listed in Medical ID. To enable this feature, access the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and go to “My Apple Watch > Emergency SOS > Fall Detection”.
7. Water Ejection
This feature has been available on the Apple Watch Series 2, but many people still don't know it exists. After swimming or wearing your Apple Watch in the shower, water may have entered the watch and you need to eject it.
To do this, swipe up from the main screen to access the Control Center. Find the water droplet icon and tap on it. Then, twist the Digital Crown and start ejecting water. Although the Apple Watch is water-resistant, it's not waterproof, so this is an important step to ensure longevity for your pricey device.
8. Theater Mode
One of the best additions to the Apple Watch is the 'Theater Mode'. As the name suggests, this feature is best used when you're in a movie theater, or whenever you need quietness.
Swipe up from the bottom of the watch and tap on the Theater Mode icon to activate it. When activated, your watch won't light up unless you tap on it. It also prevents the watch from ringing when there's an incoming call.
9. Are You a Right Wrist Watcher?
Apple Watch is best set up for individuals who wear watches on their left wrist. That's bad news for left-handed folks as you might prefer to wear your watch on your right wrist. Luckily, Apple foresaw that.
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and navigate to “General > Watch Orientation”, select your preferred wrist orientation and Digital Crown. Now it's perfect for left-handed individuals. The issue has been resolved.
10. Ping Your iPhone
Have you ever been frustrated not being able to remember where you left your iPhone at home? Hopefully, next time this happens, you're wearing your Apple Watch.
Swipe up from the bottom and you'll see the icon of a ringing phone. Tap on it and your iPhone will emit a loud ring and continue to do so until you locate the device. Once you find it, turn off the ring.
11. Customize Main Screen Layout
Did you know that the Apple Watch doesn't just have one, but two ways to display installed apps? While the grid view mode grabs all the attention and is enabled by default, the list view mode is also worth using.
To activate list view mode, go back to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and select “App Layout”. When list view mode is activated, you can scroll through installed apps using the Digital Crown.
There are plenty of things you can do with your Apple Watch, and the tips above are just the beginning. New watchOS upgrades are sure to introduce even more exciting features? Stay updated with Mytour!
