Utilizing the full potential of your Apple Watch

There are plenty of great things you can do with the Apple Watch beyond checking the time or sending messages:

Here are amazing tips and tricks about that new Apple Watch Series, Apple Watch SE, or other model on your wrist!

1. Wake to your last-used app

By default, when you flick your wrist, Apple Watch will wake and show the time. If you’d instead rather it go back to whatever you were doing before it going to sleep, you can change that setting by going to Settings > General > Wake Screen. From here, scroll down to the section On Screen Raise Show Last. Choices include While in Sessions, Within 2 Minutes of Last Use, Within 1 Hour of Last Use, and Always.

2. Make the on-screen text larger

With such a tiny device, sometimes you want the option for bigger text at your disposal. Apple makes this easy in its accessibility settings; to change the text on your Watch, go to Settings > Brightness & Text Size, and adjust to your liking. You can also choose a specialty Big Text watch face if all you’re interested in is seeing the time in large numerals.

3. Mute alerts with your palm

If you have sound enabled on the Watch, you can keep it from annoying the outside world with notification sounds:

If it goes off in a place you’d rather it not, you can cover the display with your hand for three seconds or more to instantly mute any new sounds. To turn this on, you’ll need to visit the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, then go to My Watch > Sounds & Haptics > Cover to Mute.

4. Hide watch apps

To hide third-party apps from showing up on your Apple Watch, go into the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and make sure you’re in the My Watch section. Scroll down to the section called Installed on Apple Watch. Tap the apps you’d like to delete by toggling to the off position. Even though you’ve removed their Watch interfaces, those apps will remain installed on your iPhone unless you delete them from that device, as well.

5. Find your iPhone with your Watch

Can’t find your iPhone? Don’t sweat it — the Apple Watch can help you track it down. From your Watch face, swipe up to activate Control Center. From here, tap the Ping iPhone button in blue to have it make a noise.

6. Quickly access Zoom and VoiceOver

Want Zoom or VoiceOver to be quickly available on your Watch? You can turn on the triple-click Accessibility shortcut to automatically activate either Zoom mode or VoiceOver. To do so, visit the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, then go to My Watch > General > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut. From here, you can choose which you’d like to activate on triple-click automatically.

Siri can also turn VoiceOver on or off with a verbal command — ask your Watch.

7. Take a screenshot

Want to memorialize that Digital Touch drawing or Activity achievement? You can take a screenshot on your Apple Watch by quickly and simultaneously pressing both the side button and Digital Crown.

8. Water Lock Mode

When engaging in water-related activities, turn on Water Lock mode to prevent accidental touches on the screen. Swipe up from the bottom of the watch face, tap the water droplet icon, and turn the Digital Crown to unlock the screen.

9. Fall Detection

If you’re prone to falls or want an added safety feature, enable Fall Detection in the Watch app on your paired iPhone. This feature can automatically detect a hard fall and offer options for emergency assistance.

10. Control Music Playback

You can control music playback on your iPhone or other connected devices directly from your Apple Watch. Use the Music app to play, pause, skip tracks, adjust volume, and browse playlists.

11. Track Workouts

Apple Watch offers an array of workout tracking options. Use the built-in Workout app or install third-party apps to monitor and analyze your fitness activities. Set goals, track your progress, and get personalized metrics.

Remember to explore the Apple Watch app on your paired iPhone, as it provides more settings and customization options. From customizable watch faces and Always-On Display to advanced health monitoring capabilities like ECG and fall detection, the Apple Watch Series is a powerful companion for your wrist.

However, like any electronic device, the Apple Watch may encounter technical issues or require repair at some point. If you experience any problems with your Apple Watch, such as a malfunctioning screen, battery issues, or connectivity problems, it is advisable to seek assistance from an authorized Apple service center or an Apple-certified technician