For many people , the Apple Watch is primarily a fitness tracker and an extension to the iPhone . It conveniently mirrors iOS apprisal , calls , and messages , permit users detain update without taking their phones out . What a lot of wearers do n’t know , though , is how powerful and feature - packed watchOS really is , and how much your smartwatch can accomplish .
Below are ten Apple Watch perquisite you ’re probably unfamiliar with .
Timely gate access
If you ’re a watchOS user , chance are you ’re already relying on Apple Pay to cursorily make requital from your wrist . Similarly , the Apple Watch mechanically syncs compatible tickets whenever you tot up them to the Wallet app on iOS . This lets you enter venues and gameboard planes by double - clicking the side clitoris and scanning the QR code on the smartwatch ’s display . But what if your favored gymnasium , cinema , or airline does n’t officially offer Apple Wallet cards for purchase slate or rank ?
Fortunately , you may manually create an Apple Watch card using any QR codification . but download theWallet Creator appon your iPhone , make the plug-in , and total it to the Wallet app on iOS . In a few seconds , the new create card should also appear on your Apple Watch when you double - cluck its side button . This spares you from digging through your email or third - company apps whenever you need to cross compatible gates .
Mahmoud Itani / Foundry
Your Apple Watch can do a lot more than count steps and track activiity.
Timeless texter
It ’s no secret that cellular - enabled Apple Watches can independently make calls and send texts . But did you have it away that regular Wi - Fi models can also do that , even when your iPhone is off or in a different location ? As you ’d have a bun in the oven , there are some requirements and limits , but it ’s accomplishable .
The first and primary experimental condition is have Wi - Fi accession . you may connect to any ( unknown ) internet by inputting its countersign in the configurations app on watchOS . Once tie in , you could post and have iMessages and make FaceTime audio call decent from your wrist . This is particularly helpful during emergencies if your iPhone die orgets steal .
Speaking of iMessage , you could also habituate the Digital Touch applet in the Messages app on watchOS to get off your existent pulsation to a contact . Just place two fingerbreadth on the display , then swipe them down to send . If the recipient is also a watchOS user , their Apple Watch ’s haptic feedback will mimic your split second to retroflex your pulse . It ’s a cunning , lesser - recognize way for couples to intercommunicate .
Your Apple Watch can do a lot more than count steps and track activiity.
Web browser in disguise
Another hidden Messages feature is the work up - in web view that provides a canonic Safari experience on watchOS . All you have to do is iMessage yourself a contact , then open it on your Apple Watch . The feature also digest the Reader perk , which presents articles neatly and hides disquiet items .
Reading articles on a smartwatch ’s tiny display is improbable to become a regular habit , but it could come in handy in certain situations .
Reincarnated iPod shuffle
You probably already use your Apple Watch ’s native Now play app to control the music rain cats and dogs on your iPhone . However , many users miss out on watchOS ’s native playback perk . Simply mate AirPods or third - political party Bluetooth headphones to your smartwatch , and stream directly from Apple Music if you have an internet connection .
For offline listening , both Apple Music and Spotify support downloading playlist to the wearable ’s local store , permit you leave your iPhone behind . This stimulate it potential to unravel outside with just your Apple Watch and a pair ofwireless earbuds .
The TV remote you’ll never lose
watchOS also offers a native Remote app that countenance you fully hold your Apple TV . Even on this miniature blind , the interface manage to fit all of the chief clitoris , letting you switch apps , go back , navigate , control the volume , and more . It ’s idealistic for when you ’re cooking or cleaning and do n’t require to colly the strong-arm Siri Remote or your iPhone . Or those time when neither of those items are handily to hand .
you may likewise control other voguish family appliance that rely on the HomeKit infrastructure using the native Home app on watchOS . I often use it to change the coloration of my light bulbs when Siri — in distinctive Siri fashion — flush it to swear out my voice commands .
Radio check—do you copy?
aside from FaceTime and iMessage , the Apple Watch tender an exclusive communication putz that seemingly very few people use .
Walkie - Talkieis a built - in app that permit you quickly contact other watchOS users using your voice . Once you add a friend there , you could convey verbally in real time using the FaceTime audio technology . When you ’re in a group meeting or just do n’t want to be reached , you’re able to toggle off your availability .
While most user probably prefer regular audio messages or phone calls , the Walkie - Talkie app makes it easier to get spry solution for minor question — like what brand of milk to get from the supermarket . It mostly supply to best friends , folk members , and partners , as having less intimate acquaintances reach you at any time would be too intrusive .
Nighttime iPhone locator
If you often lose your iPhone , you ’ve likely made use of the ready to hand Ping toggle switch in the Apple Watch ’s Control Center . When you beg it , your iPhone produces a loud screech if it ’s within Bluetooth range . What you credibly do n’t have it away , though , is that pressing and hold on that toggle will also make your iPhone ’s tv camera light-emitting diode heartbeat . This makes it possible to situate your phone in a pitch - black environment .
It can tell the time!
Did you know that your Apple Watch can tell the time ? Literally , I mean . Once you activate the Speak Time toggle switch in Clock configurations , you may have watchOS announce the current time audibly by adjudge two fingerbreadth on the lookout man nerve . I sometimes expend this feature when I wake up in the morning to identify the sentence without opening my heavy eyelid .
TickTock-friendly
If you ’re living the solo life and often need to record videos or take picture of yourself , this one ’s for you . watchOS bid a make - in Camera Remote app that transform your Apple Watch into a finder for your iPhone ’s Camera app . This assure you ’re in frame and helps you fine - melodic phrase composition before shooting .
The app also offers handy shortcuts to some of the Camera app ’s buttons , like the shutter , soar , and winkle .
Your Apple Watch can do a lot more than count steps and give chase activiity .
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One more tip
For the last point , your Apple Watch can in reality calculate how much you need to tumble at restaurant . Just input the bill ’s total in the native Calculator app and hit the Tip button . you may then choose the percentage and optionally the number of people part it , et voilà !
Always on hand
The Apple Watch has make out a long means . What once used to be a pendent accessory can now perform most basic smartphone tasks on its own . That ’s even more practical for those with an dynamic cellular design .
It ’s honest that perform most of these job would be more practical using the wider iPhone filmdom . But there are still example when the Apple Watch make more common sense . Sometimes your hands are occupied , other times your iPhone is out of charge — regardless of your reasons , it ’s comforting to love that the wearable strapped to your wrist at all times can connect you to your have intercourse 1 , fiddle your preferred tunes , unlock electric doors , control and find other devices , and much more . Over and out .
Your Apple Watch can do a lot more than count steps and track activiity.
