If you’re like most people, you’re probably only using about 10% of what your Apple Watch can do.
But it shouldn’t be that way, especially when you spend that much money to buy one.
So, if you are wondering what does an Apple Watch can do besides, of course, see the time and track steps?
We’ve created a list of 10 cool features (plus a bonus!) to help you unlock the full potential of your Apple Watch. Let’s get into it.
1. Take a Screenshot with Apple Watch
If you want to take a quick screenshot to keep some information for later, save a funny joke you just scrolled by, or anything else, just press the digital crown and the side button simultaneously.
Your Apple Watch’s screen will flash, and a picture of your current screen will be saved to the photo gallery.
But first, you need to enable that feature from the settings app on your watch. So, open the Settings app on your watch, tap on General > Screenshots > enable it.
2. Eject Water After a Swim
Did you get your Apple Watch wet? You can eject water from it.
From the Control Center, tap the water droplet. You’ll be able to choose between plunge, swim, or shower.
From there, you’ll rotate the digital crown to unlock it and follow onscreen instructions to fire up the water purge feature.
3. Monitor Loud Noises
If you want to avoid damaging your ears, navigate to the Noise app and enable monitoring.
You can set the sound level you want to be notified of, and when that is reached, you’ll get a notification to wear earplugs or take action.
4. Unlock Mac with Apple Watch
First, your Mac and your watch must meet the system requirements, and you must have Auto Login activated.
To use your Apple Watch to unlock apps and your Mac, follow the steps below:
- Go to System Preferences via the Settings.
- Select Security and Privacy.
- Enable the “Use your Apple Watch to unlock apps and your Mac” option.
From there, simply have your Apple Watch on. On an initial launch, you will have to type in your password, but every time you wake it up after that, wearing the watch will automatically log you on.
5. Find Your iPhone When You Misplace it
Are you tired of having someone else call your phone when you misplace it? You can use your Apple Watch instead.
Simply tap the digital crown and swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Find your iPhone in the list, and tap “Find iPhone”. Your phone will start ringing with a unique ringtone.
Having issues with the ping feature, here’s how to fix it when your Apple Watch is not pinging your iPhone.
7. Use Your Apple Watch as a Car Key
In order for your Apple Watch to use the car key feature, you’re going to meet a few requirements:
- Your car must be compatible with Wallet. To find out if your car is compatible, contact the car’s manufacturer or dealership.
- You need an Apple Watch Series 5 or later, or Apple Watch SE, with the latest version of watchOS.
- You need an Apple Watch Series 6 or later for passive entry or the remote features on compatible cars.
Follow the steps below to add your car key to Apple Wallet on your Apple Watch.
- Your dealer will give you an account associated with your car. Navigate to that app and account, and then follow its instructions to set up a key.
- When that’s done, you’ll be sent to Apple Pay.
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Select Wallet & Apple Pay.
- Tap on Add located right next to the card for your car key.
Use your watch on the reader as if you were using Apple Pay to pay for something. Voilà your Apple Watch can now be used as a car key.
8. Translate Using Apple Watch
Traveling abroad or speaking with someone who doesn’t speak your language? Tap the Translate app and choose the two languages you want to translate between.
You can either type in what you want to translate, or you can tap the mic and say a phrase that will automatically be translated.
9. Take Blood Oxygen Levels
You might want to perform a blood oxygen scan with your Apple Watch for several reasons.
To do so, simply tap the Blood Oxygen app, and lay your arm relaxed on a flat surface. A 15-second countdown will start, and at the end, you’ll be given a full rundown of your results.
10. Unlock Apple Watch with iPhone
If you’re tired of fumbling with your watch’s tiny number pad to unlock it, you can set it up to unlock via your phone.
Simply navigate to My Watch from the Apple Watch app and select Passcode. From there, scroll down to “Unlock with iPhone” and swipe it to the “On” position.
From now on, you can unlock your watch each time you put it on by tapping the crown and using your iPhone screen to input your passcode.
10. Measure Respiratory Rate
If you want to track your respiratory rate while you sleep to track dream activity, watch out for signs of sleep apnea, or any other reason, your Apple Watch can help.
First, make sure you enable sleep detection in your watch settings. From there, just wear the watch to sleep, and it will track your breathing cycles the entire time.
Bonus: Check AirPods Battery Life from Apple Watch
Your AirPods are probably just as important to your daily routine as your Apple Watch is. You can check your AirPod battery life from your watch to make sure you never let them die unexpectedly.
Make sure your AirPods are synced with your watch, and then tap the battery icon from the Control Center. If connected, you’ll see how much battery your AirPods have.
Excellent tips, thank you!
You’re very welcome, Stuart!