Regardless Of Whether You Are A New Apple Watch User Or Have Been Using It For Years, You Need To Know Some Tips And Tricks To Improve Your User Experience.

The Apple Watch may not be as powerful as the iPhone and iPad, but it still has its advantages as a small gadget.

Depending on the model or type of Apple Watch you’re using, you can listen to music, track your workouts, measure your heart rate, and view your photos. Like iPhone and iPad, Apple Watch has a set of settings you can change at will.

1. listen to the music

With an Apple Watch running watchOS 4.1 or later, you can listen to music albums and playlists displayed on iPhone, Apple Radio stations, or any music from Apple Music (if you have a subscription). Also, you can access audio apps like Spotify, Pandora, and iHeartRadio.

First, set up your earbuds, headphones, or speaker via Bluetooth. Open the Apple Music app to your library of albums and playlists. With the built-in radio, you can access news and music stations. You can make settings such as pause, resume, forward, back, or volume control from the player.

To listen to music streaming services such as Spotify, Pandora, and iHeartRadio, you need to download their apps from the App Store. These applications have little differences from each other, But the process of all of them is similar, and they fully provide access to the library or stations. You can listen to music offline with your Apple Watch by purchasing a subscription to a service like Pandora.

2. Listen to podcasts

Apple has a unique application for podcasts that allows you to download podcasts on your iPhone and listen to them on your Apple Watch. You need watchOS 5 or higher to listen to podcasts, and if you have an LTE-enabled Apple Watch, you can listen to podcasts without needing a nearby Wi-Fi network.

Open the Podcasts app to access a library of subscription podcasts or individual episodes. From the podcast player, you can make settings such as Pause, Resume, go forward by thirty seconds, or go back by fifteen seconds, and change speed and volume. In addition, you can transfer podcasts from your phone to the Apple Watch, and if you’re not too partial to the Apple Podcasts app, you can try other apps like Downcast, Overcast, and Pocket Casts.

3. Exercise tracking

Apple Watch shines for its sports and fitness features. One of the prominent features of the Apple Watch is tracking exercise. Using the Workouts app, you can follow various activities in and out of the gym, including biking, walking, running, rowing, swimming, and even yoga.

Also, you can exercise based on time, distance, or several calories. The application displays things like time, calories, distance traveled, and heart rate by performing each activity. After the exercise, the results are sent to the Fitness application on the iPhone. In this application, you can see your latest status on your Apple Watch and track the history of exercises.

4. Heart rate monitoring

Using the built-in Heart Rate application, you can check your heart rate anytime. Your current heart rate will be measured and displayed by opening the application. As long as the Apple Watch is in display mode or you look at the screen, the app will periodically record your heart rate.

There are more complete and better applications for recording and displaying heart rate that you can use on Apple Watch. By touching the arrow on the top left, the app shows your current heart rate, resting heart rate, average heart rate, and heart rate based on different activities. If you don’t like the Heart Rate app, you can use alternative apps like Cardiogram, Heart Analyzer, HeartWatch, and Talking Heart Rate.

5. ECG recording

On the Apple Watch Series 4 and above, you can record an electrocardiogram that checks the heart rate and gives necessary warnings in case of heart rhythm irregularities and problems such as atrial contraction. This feature may not be a daily need; Unless you want to know the condition of your heart in case of specific symptoms.

Of course, if you feel pain in the chest or have similar problems, you should not waste your time with the ECG application, and you should call the emergency room. Still, in certain situations, the app can flag potential problems, and you can then report this information to your doctor.

To run an electrocardiogram on Apple Watch, open the ECG app, then tap OK. Hold your finger on the digital crown button. The app starts the countdown to record the ECG. After thirty seconds, the results appear on the screen, showing sinus rhythm and heart rate. To ensure accuracy, wear the Watch on your wrist and adjust the settings. You can also write a note about the symptoms you are experiencing in the app.

6 . Blood oxygen level measurement

A built-in oximeter measures your blood oxygen levels if you’re using an Apple Watch Series 6 or later. This oxygen meter shows that enough oxygen reaches your brain and other vital organs. The normal state of blood oxygen is between 95 and 100. A low percentage of oxygen in the blood can signify a lung, heart problem, or related problems.

To set up the blood oxygen sensor, open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap Blood Oxygen. Make sure Blood Oxygen Measurements are enabled. You can control the timing of background sensor readings by enabling or disabling In Sleep Mode and Theater Mode.

To read your blood oxygen level, open the Blood Oxygen app on the Watch and tap the Start button to start the scan. The sensor begins working with a 15-second countdown. If the measurements are successful, the display will show the percentage of the blood oxygen level. For better results, ensure that your Watch is not too low on the wrist and that the strap is tight yet comfortable. Keep your hands and wrists as still as possible while reading. While you shouldn’t rely on this sensor as the only source for measuring blood oxygen levels, it can provide vital information to share with your doctor later.

7. Timing of hand washing

Since the peak of Covid-19, careful hand washing has become an essential part of people’s lives. According to experts, the time needed to wash hands is at least 20 seconds, especially if you have been in public places and touched dirty surfaces.

For this purpose, watchOS 7 has unveiled a handwashing tool. The device activates when you put your hand underwater and starts a 20-second countdown. To activate the handwashing reminder, go to Setting > Handwashing and then activate the Handwashing Timer.

8. Hearing protection

Loud noises are annoying and can damage your hearing. The Noise app, introduced in watchOS 6, can warn you about nearby sounds and damage to hearing problems. You can receive notifications from the application by setting a specific decibel threshold.

To set this feature directly on the Watch, go to Settings > Noise, tap Environmental Sound Measurements and enable the Measure Sounds switch. Go back to the previous screen and allows the Noise Notifications option. Here you can adjust the decibel level. If your Watch detects that the surrounding sounds are too loud, a notification will appear on the screen.

9. Practicing awareness

Run the Mindfulness app when you need a quick break in the middle of your daily schedule. This app helps you focus on something other than everyday stress and tension. Use Reflect mode to think about something related to life, such as a challenge, problem, success, memory, or idea, and think about it for a minute or so.

Breath mode requires you to breathe in and out for one minute to free your mind and body. You can set Breath mode to automatically remind you to practice deep breathing at certain times of the day.

10. Sleep tracking

If you need to track your Sleep, sleep tracking apps are available for the Apple Watch, but Apple has a sleep tracker built into watchOS 7. The Sleep app shows how much of your day is spent sleeping, then adjusts the nighttime schedule to achieve better Sleep and records your sleep pattern in extended intervals.

Open the Health app on your iPhone to set up the Sleep app. Pull down the Summary screen and tap the Get Started button to select Sleep. You can also enter the number of hours of Sleep, Sleep and wake-up time, and weekly wake-up schedule, and set alarms according to your needs.

You can set Sleep Mode to activate Do Not Disturb when you sleep automatically. Wind Down mode also removes distractions before Sleep. You can also enable sleep tracking directly from the Sleep app on your Watch, So wear your Apple Watch while you sleep and check your sleep data on your iPhone the following day.

11. Enable Do Not Disturb

Like iPhone, Apple Watch supports focus mode with the Do Not Disturb option. By activating this mode, phone calls, text messages, or other notifications will no longer disturb you. By default, Focus Watch settings match iPhone settings.

On the Watch, you can enable Focus and Do Not Disturb differently. Go to Settings > Focus. Tap on the Do Not Disturb category. A half-moon icon appears at the top of the screen to indicate Do Not Disturb mode. Tap on the Add New option to activate a specific schedule for you.

You can also go to Control Center from the bottom of the watch screen and tap on the half-moon icon. On the next screen, you can set Do Not Disturb to stay on for an hour until the afternoon or until you leave the current location.

12. Call the emergency

You can call emergency services directly from the Watch if you have an Apple Watch Series 5, 6, or 7 cellular model. This feature also supports international calls to emergency services, regardless of obstacles or where you live. For example, if an American goes to London and needs help, his Watch will call 999 instead of 911.

Press the button on the side of the Apple Watch for a few seconds to open the screen for Power OFF, Medical ID, and Emergency SOS. You can also slide the Emergency SOS button to the right or hold the button on the side of the Apple Watch. After a short countdown, the Apple Watch calls emergency services. If you accidentally activate the countdown, you can release the button on the side of the Apple Watch, or if you accidentally call 911, hold your hand on the screen and tap End Call. You can also add an emergency call through the Medical ID screen in the iPhone Health application.

13. Setting a watch for a family member

Previously, an iPhone was needed to set up and use the Apple Watch. However, watchOS 7 makes it possible to set up an Apple Watch for a family member who doesn’t use an iPhone. This person can receive and send phone calls and text messages, use builSetn features and run peripheral applications on their Watch.

It would be best if you had an iPhone 6s or higher with iOS 14 or higher. Family members also need Apple Watches series four and above.

To set this feature, place the Watch next to the iPhone and open the Watch application. Tap the All Watches link at the top, tap Add Watch and select Set Up for Setamily Member. This section follows the steps to activate or change the required settings. Once done, your family member can use their Watch without having an iPhone. You can also manage their Watch from your phone.

14. Conversation with Siri

You can generally talk to Siri on your Watch. On the Watch, go to Settings > General > Siri. With the newer Apple Watch Series 3, Siri will also answer you. Holding down the crown digital dial, Siri will appear and wait for your command or question. With watchOS seven and above, you can make various requests, such as translating a word or phrase from Siri. You can also draw Siri’s attention to a sound. You can say “Hey Siri” to your Watch by enabling Hey Siri. By activating Raise to Speak, you can bring the Watch to your mouth and say “Hey Siri” to talk to the voice assistant.

15. Run the Siri shortcut

If you use Siri shortcuts on your iPhone, you can run them faster on your Apple Watch. In watchOS seven and above, Apple has added a Shortcuts app to the Watch. Open the app to see all the supported shortcuts you can launch from your Watch. Tap on a specific shortcut to launch and manage them directly.

16. Find iPhone

Lost your iPhone? You can find it by calling through another device, But if the phone is no longer available, you can also use the Apple Watch. Go to Control Center and look for the ringing phone icon. Touch the icon, and when it turns blue, the iPhone will emit a sound you can use to locate the phone.

17. Find a family member

Do you want to find the location of a friend or family member? You can find the approximate location of the desired person through the Find People application on Apple Watch. Once you open the app, any family member who agrees to share their site will appear on your screen. You can see the map and address by touching that person’s icon. You can also know the routes to the desired person and leaving that place.

18. Access to contacts

Apple finally added the Contacts app to the Apple Watch with the release of watchOS 8. Now you can see, edit and manage your contacts. Please tap on the person’s contact card to display their name, address, and phone number. With the icons above the card, you can make a phone call, text message, or email the desired person. You can also share the contact information with someone else by tapping on the bottom.

19. Browse images

You can see some iPhone images on the Watch. By default, Apple Watch displays images tagged in the favorites group; But you can change the album. To do this, open the Watch app on your iPhone and go to the My Watch section. Search for Photos and adjust Synced Album to your preference.

On the Apple Watch, open the Photos app to see the thumbnail view of the synced images. Swipe left or right to browse images and touch the desired image to see its close-up view. By rotating the digital crown, you can zoom in on the image.

20. Dictate email or text

You can enter text on your Apple Watch in different ways. From Series 7 and up, you can use the QuickPath keyboard; But one of the fastest ways to produce text is to dictate it. You can tap the Create Message, Add Message, or iMessage fields in the Mail or Messages app. Tap the microphone icon and say your text. Then click on the area and the Backspace key to correct the errors. After completing the Message, send it.

21. Organization of applications

The home screen of the Apple Watch may lose its order due to the presence of many applications, But you can set the icons in your desired format. On the iPhone, open the Watch app, go to App Layout in the My Watch section, and move the icons to different areas.

To move icons on Apple Watch, go to the Home screen and hold your hand on one of the icons to make them oscillate. You can move the icons to different sections, and by having your hand on the Home screen and displaying the List View instead of the Grid View, you can see your applications based on the alphabetical list.

22. Access applications from the Dock

In Apple Watch, you can access frequently used applications through Dock. You can add apps to the Dock or remove them if you wish. To do this, swipe left and press X. Press the button next to the Apple Watch and find the desired apps in the list that appears.

Open the Watch app to manage the attached apps from your iPhone better. In the My Watch section, search for the word Dock and click on the Edit link. Then you can remove the app by touching the minus sign or add it to the Dock by connecting the plus sign.

23. Setting up and customizing the Watch Face

Are you tired of the same old watch-face look? You can easily change the look of your Apple Watch. Swipe the watch screen left or right to see a different look. To set new skins, open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to the Face Gallery section, and tap on one of the faces. Then you can set the desired color and style. After applying the settings, tap Add to add the desired appearance to the default ones. At the top of the My Watch screen, tap Edit next to My Faces. You can remove unwanted faces and change their placement order from this section.

24. Change the brightness and size of the text

If you have trouble seeing text and the Apple Watch screen, you can change the brightness and size of the text. To do this, go to Settings > Brightness & Text Size. Move the Brightness bar to the left or right to change the brightness. In addition, with the digital crown button, you can make these settings. Touch the Text Size option and move the Text Size bar or rotate the digital crown to change the text size. If you need more clarity, enable Bold Text.

25. Watch control with hand movements

Tapping and pressing buttons to control the Watch is not always possible. If you can’t use your other hand to hold the Watch, you can do it through different hand movements. To set this feature, go to Settings > Accessibility > AssistiveTouch and enable the AssistiveTouch and Hang Gestures options. By default, you can move forward to the next item by pinching your index finger and thumb. You can go to the previous article by tweaking twice. By clapping, you can activate or open the current item, and double clapping will open the Action menu with a set of commands.

Common Questions

How to take a screenshot of the Apple Watch screen?

To take a screenshot of the Apple Watch’s small screen, press the digital crown and side buttons simultaneously. The image is saved in the iPhone’s Photos folder. This feature is disabled by default. Go to the Watch Settings app and tap General > Screenshots to enable it.

How to see the exact battery percentage when charging an Apple Watch?

When the Apple Watch is charging, it will display a small charging logo. By tapping on this logo, you can see the exact percentage of your battery.