The Apple Watch is already renowned for its fitness tracking, health monitoring, and seamless integration with the iPhone. However, there are several lesser-known features that can significantly enhance your daily life. Here are seven cool things your Apple Watch can do that you might not know about:
1. Trigger Your iPhone Camera
Use your Apple Watch as a remote trigger for your iPhone’s camera. Perfect for taking selfies or group photos without needing to rush back into position after setting a timer.
How to do it: Open the Camera app on your Apple Watch. From here, you can switch between front and rear cameras, enable or disable the flash, and set a timer for your shot.
2. Calculate Tips and Split Bills
No more awkward mental math at the end of a meal. The Calculator app on your Apple Watch can calculate tips and split bills among friends.
How to do it: Open the Calculator app, enter the bill amount, and tap “Tip.” Use the Digital Crown to adjust the percentage and number of people to split the bill.
3. Log Your Medications
Stay on top of your medication routine with reminders and logs directly on your wrist.
How to do it: Set up your medications in the Health app on your iPhone. Once configured, use the Medications app on your Apple Watch to log when you’ve taken your meds or to get reminders.
4. One-Handed Navigation with Gestures
Navigate your Apple Watch with simple hand gestures, ideal when your other hand is busy.
How to do it: Go to the Watch app on your iPhone, select Accessibility > AssistiveTouch, and turn on Hand Gestures. Customize gestures like Pinch, Double Pinch, Clench, and Double Clench to control specific actions.
5. Speak the Time Aloud
Your Apple Watch can tell you the time verbally, which is especially useful if you’re unable to look at the screen.
How to do it: In the Watch app on your iPhone, go to Clock settings and enable “Speak Time.” If you want the feature to work even in silent mode, select “Always Speak.”
6. Get Turn-by-Turn Directions
Follow walking directions with turn-by-turn navigation on your Apple Watch, even if your iPhone is tucked away.
How to do it: Start navigation in Apple Maps on your iPhone. The directions will automatically appear on your Apple Watch, complete with haptic feedback for upcoming turns.
7. Ping Your iPhone
Easily locate your misplaced iPhone by pinging it from your Apple Watch, making your phone emit a sound even if it’s on silent.
How to do it: Swipe up on the Apple Watch screen to access the Control Center, then tap the phone icon to ping your iPhone.
These hidden gems on the Apple Watch show just how versatile this small device can be. Whether you’re taking a group photo, splitting a bill, or navigating with ease, your Apple Watch has a lot more to offer than you might think.
