Unveiling the Unseen: 10 Under-the-Radar Apple Watch Features That Deserve the Spotlight
Apple products are renowned for their hidden gems, and the Apple Watch is no exception. While many features are well-known, there are several lesser-known tools that can enhance your Apple Watch experience. From unlocking your Mac to sending your heartbeat to a loved one, these 10 features are worth exploring. Let's dive into the world of the Apple Watch and uncover some of its most intriguing secrets.
Unlocking Your Mac with Auto Unlock
One of the most convenient features for Mac users is the Auto Unlock function. This handy tool allows you to bypass typing your login password by simply wearing your Apple Watch. As you sit down by your machine, a satisfying haptic click confirms that the gates have opened. While modern MacBooks with Touch ID have somewhat diminished the feature's usefulness, it's still a valuable asset for setups without Touch ID, such as the entry-level MacBook Neo or older models. Moreover, Auto Unlock can authenticate admin-level actions on your Mac, making it a versatile tool for power users.
Retrace Your Steps with Backtrack
The Apple Watch's Compass app includes a feature called Backtrack, which is a game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts. This tool records your path, allowing you to retrace your steps if you get lost. However, it's important to note that this feature is only available for Apple Watch Series 6 and later or the Apple Watch SE, and you'll need to be running watchOS 10 or newer. By default, the Apple Watch will automatically start a backtrack session when you start a workout in a remote location, but you can also manually activate it by adding a Backtrack shortcut to Control Center or setting up the Action button on your Apple Watch Ultra.
Control Your Watch with Gestures
Apple Watches with recent software updates allow you to control your watch with one hand. The double-tap gesture lets you scroll through your Smart Stack, play or pause media playback, and answer calls. This feature is particularly useful when your hands are messy in the kitchen or when walking your dog. Additionally, the wrist flick gesture, introduced in watchOS 26, provides a back button functionality, allowing you to dismiss what's onscreen and return to the watch face. These gestures require a recent Apple Watch, such as the Series 9 or later, and can be customized in Settings > Gestures > Double Tap on your watch.
Use Your Apple Watch as a Remote Camera Shutter
For group photos or selfies from a distance, the Apple Watch can be a handy remote camera shutter. In watchOS 26, a Smart Stack hint will appear at the bottom of your watch face when you open your phone's camera. Tap that to open the Camera Remote app, which provides a live viewfinder to help frame the shot. The three dots on the lower right open a menu that lets you choose between a countdown and an instant shot, as well as switch between the front and rear cameras. You can take a picture either by tapping the shutter button on the watch or by using a double-tap gesture.
Find Your Phone in the Dark
If you've ever lost your iPhone in a dark room, you know how frustrating it can be. Fortunately, the Apple Watch can help. You can ping your iPhone from your Apple Watch when you lose it, and your phone will make a loud sound while your Apple Watch guides you toward it by showing its distance. Additionally, you can fire the phone's flashlight to help you find it in a dark room. Simply hold down the icon that looks like a phone with sound waves on the screen that appears after you start pinging.
Walkie-Talkie: A Quick and Easy Communication Tool
The Walkie-Talkie app is a push-to-talk connection with a friend who has an Apple Watch. It's a handy way to communicate quickly without having to call. Open the Walkie-Talkie app, select your contact, and hold down the talk button while speaking. If they're available, Walkie-Talkie opens automatically on their Apple Watch and plays your message. You can set your availability inside the app or by using the icon in Control Center, ensuring that your watch doesn't start talking at an inopportune time.
Name Your Timers
The Timers app is a useful tool, but keeping track of multiple timers can be challenging. To make things easier, you can name your timers when creating them with Siri. For example, 'Siri, set a pasta timer for eight minutes' or 'Siri, set a 15-minute timer for sauce'. Each timer will include the name at the top, making it easier to identify and manage.
Tap to Pay: A Contactless Payment Solution
Tap to pay is a convenient feature that many people still don't know about. After setting up Apple Pay on your watch, you can use your wearable for contactless payments. Simply double-click the Apple Watch's side button, choose the card you want to use, and hold your watch within a few centimeters of the reader. A tap, chime, and onscreen confirmation will let you know it went through.
Read the Time Aloud
If you prefer to hear the time rather than see it, your Apple Watch can do that too. Hold two fingers on the watch face for a moment, and Siri will read the time. The feature is on by default, but if it isn't working, you can make sure it's enabled in Settings > Clock > Speak Time.
Send Your Heartbeat to a Loved One
Digital Touch is a novel and tender way to connect with a loved one from afar. This feature sends a haptic representation of your heartbeat to a partner, family member, or friend. In the Messages app on your watch, choose a chat thread, tap the plus icon next to the text field, and choose Digital Touch. Hold down two fingers until you see a red heart pulsing and feel the haptic feedback. Tap done, then send it. When they open the Digital Touch message, they'll feel your heartbeat on their wrist.
In conclusion, these 10 under-the-radar Apple Watch features are worth exploring. From unlocking your Mac to sending your heartbeat to a loved one, these tools can enhance your Apple Watch experience and make your life a little easier. So, the next time you're looking for a hidden gem, consider giving these features a try.
