Apple Watch: 15 useful features and tips
The Apple Watch Series 11, the Watch Ultra 3, and the third-generation Watch SE are now available. They’re all packed with useful features that are easy to overlook at first glance. To help you get the most out of your device, we’ve compiled 15 practical tips you might not know yet – including some that even long-time users often miss.
Switching between two Apple Watch apps
Double-press the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch to see an overview of all currently open apps. Rotate the Digital Crown to scroll through the apps. From here, you can return to the last used app. Simply tap an app’s screen to switch to it, or swipe left on the app card and tap the red X to close the app.
Switch app views
If the app overview seems too cluttered, switch to list view. To do this, open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap “App View,” and select “List View.” Your apps will then be displayed in a clear, scrollable list when you press the Digital Crown.
Rearrange apps
You can arrange your apps so that your most frequently used ones are more easily accessible. Simply tap and hold any app in the grid view and drag it to the desired position. Alternatively, you can open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to App View → Arrangement, and move the apps there.
Ping iPhone
If you’ve misplaced your iPhone but are sure it’s nearby, open Control Center by pressing the side button, then tap the phone icon to trigger a chime. Press and hold the icon to activate the iPhone’s camera flash. This can be helpful if the iPhone is hidden under something.
Skip countdown
If you want to start your workout immediately, you can skip the three-second countdown. Simply tap the screen as soon as the countdown starts, and your workout will begin right away. If you plan to do this frequently, it’s best to enable the “Precision start” option under Settings → Workout.
Adjust Apple Watch vibration intensity
If you’re constantly missing notifications, go to Settings → Sounds & Haptics → and change the setting from Standard to Highlighted. This will add an extra tap pattern before the notifications, making them harder to ignore.
Precise timekeeping
The Chronograph Pro dial transforms into a true chronograph. Tap the outer edge of the 12-hour dial to measure time in 60, 30, 6, or 3-second increments. Alternatively, you can select the tachymeter scale to measure speed based on the time it takes to cover a set distance.
Jump to top
If you’ve scrolled far down in an app and want to jump back to the top, simply tap the time in the upper corner of the screen. This works in most apps and saves a lot of scrolling.
Remove Apple Watch apps
Removing unused apps from your Apple Watch is easy. In list or grid view, press and hold the screen until the apps start to wiggle. Then tap the small “x” in the corner of the app icon to delete it. This works for most system apps and all third-party apps.
Customize Control Center
By default, the Control Center (accessible via the side button) offers quick access to functions like Wi-Fi, battery, and Do Not Disturb. However, it’s worth adding other functions you want quick access to. Tap Edit at the bottom, then tap the plus icon (+) in the top left corner. System options like New Note and Lighting are especially useful. Depending on the apps you have installed, you may also see third-party options.
Time announcement
If you’re using the Mickey or Minnie Mouse clock face, tap the respective character to have the time announced. Make sure sound is enabled. Alternatively, you can have Siri read the time by tapping and holding the display with two fingers. Sound must be enabled for this as well.
Customize smart responses
Smart replies are handy when you only want to reply briefly. In the Watch app on your iPhone, open the Messages app and tap “Default Replies” to customize the displayed replies. Then, when a message comes in, simply swipe down to select one of your preset replies.
Pause activity rings
Feeling unwell but want to continue your streak? In the Activity app, select your rings to pause them for the day or set a break until a chosen date (up to 90 days in advance).
Create a note
In the new Notes app in watchOS 26, you can’t edit existing notes on your Apple Watch, but you can create a new one by tapping the input icon in the bottom right corner and speaking your text. Since notes are synced via iCloud, you can later edit or rearrange them on a device with a physical or on-screen keyboard.
Mute and dismiss notifications
With a quick wrist turn, you can clear the current screen and return to the watch face. The same gesture lets you mute calls, stop timers, and dismiss notifications. This feature is enabled by default and is supported by Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and later models.
