It is one thing to have a powerful gadget and another to master it. Many Apple Watch users don’t know about some of its salient features, let alone use them. It’s like having a superpower and not knowing about it. If you want to know 20 useful settings and customization options in an Apple Watch, read on.
Ping Your iPhone
If you often misplace your iPhone, the Apple Watch can help you locate it. Swipe to access the Control Center and tap the phone icon with waves. This will automatically ping your iPhone. Newer models like the iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch Series 9 can provide the phone’s direction and distance.
Use Your Watch as a Camera Remote
The Apple Watch can control your iPhone’s camera. Using the Camera app on your watch, you can take photos remotely, complete with a countdown timer. This feature is perfect for group photos or selfies because it lets you frame your shot remotely.
Handwashing Timer
The handwashing timer produces auditory cues indicating when to finish washing hands. It encourages users to regularly wash their hands for at least 20 seconds at a time. The watch’s sensors detect hand movements and automatically initiate a countdown timer.
Focus Mode Customization
Apple Watch allows you to customize focus modes to filter notifications and manage distractions based on your current activity. You can set different focus modes for activities like work, sleep, or exercise. When enabled, only selected apps and contacts can send notifications.
Use Your Apple Watch to Access Your iPhone
If you own an iPhone X or a more recent model, along with an Apple Watch Series 3 or a later version, your watch can be used to access your iPhone. Once activated, unlocking your Apple Watch will grant access to your iPhone, which is especially helpful when Face ID fails to recognize you.
Favorite Timers
With the Favorite Timers feature, people can save specific timers they use regularly. To favorite a timer, swipe left on an active timer in the Recents list and tap the orange star button. Once favorited, these timers will appear in a dedicated Favorites section at the top of the Timers app.
Customize Complications
You can customize your watch’s face by adding complications that show information like weather updates or activity stats. Organize them to suit different activities, allowing quick glances at your wrist for essential info without navigating apps.
Nightstand Mode
Nightstand Mode transforms the device into a functional bedside clock when charging. Anyone who prefers a minimalist approach to a nightstand setup will find it useful. When an alarm is set, the mode gradually brightens the screen a few minutes before the alarm time.
Control Center Customization
Similar to your iPhone, you can customize the Control Center on your Apple Watch by rearranging or hiding items. Frequently used functions can be placed at the top for quicker access, and rarely used features can be removed or moved down the list.
Set Favorite Photos as Backgrounds
People can personalize their watch faces with images that hold special meaning. To set your preferred photos as the watch face, sync a photo album from your iPhone to the Apple Watch via the Watch app. Up to 500 photos can be stored on the watch.
Use Siri Hands-Free
Anyone using the Apple Watch Series 3 or later models can enjoy Siri’s audible response without touching the watch. It is better than text display. You can issue different commands, like sending messages, provided you enable the “Hey Siri” option in the settings menu.
Track Sleep Patterns
Using motion and heart rate sensors, this function monitors and analyzes sleep. Whenever users wear the watch to bed, the device can estimate the duration spent in different sleep stages, including REM, Core, and Deep sleep. The data can provide insights into your sleep quality.
Gesture Controls
Gesture Controls, like Siri, let you use your device hands-free. Once activated, a blue ring appears, indicating the watch is ready to respond to hand gestures. For instance, you can select the next item by pinching the pointer finger and thumb together.
Apple Pay on Your Wrist
Apple Pay on the Apple Watch offers a convenient and safe to make contactless payments. First, add your card to the Wallet app. After that, you can make payments by double-clicking the side button to reveal the default card or scrolling to select a different card if preferred.
Voice Memos
Using the Voice Memos, you can easily record audio notes directly from your wrist. Any recordings on the watch are automatically synced to the Voice Memos app on your paired iPhone. You can organize these recordings, share them via various apps, or even incorporate them into notes and documents.
Fitness Goals Tracking
Fitness enthusiasts will love the Fitness Goals Tracking feature. It has three rings: Move, Exercise, and Stand. The first tracks the calories burned throughout the day; the second measures the minutes of brisk activity; and the third prompts users to stand for at least one minute each hour.
Custom Replies for Messages
To personalize your Apple Watch messages, open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Under “Messages,” you’ll find the “Default Replies” option, where you can create, modify, or remove quick responses. This makes messaging more efficient and tailored to your preferences.
Find My Apple Watch
With this feature, you can easily find your lost Apple Watch. Nevertheless, the Apple Watch must be paired with an iPhone with the Find My app enabled. Users can then access the Find My app on their iPhone or through iCloud.com to see the watch’s last location.
Skin Temperature Monitoring
Introduced with the Series 8 and improved in Series 10, the Skin Temperature Monitor tracks wrist temperature during sleep. After wearing the watch for five nights with Sleep Focus enabled, it establishes a baseline to monitor nightly variations.
Check Water Temperature and Depth App
Another outstanding feature is the watch’s ability to measure water temperature and depth during aquatic activities. Available on the Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra, the Depth app automatically activates when submerged, letting users track their current depth and water temperature.
