Apple Watch Series 9 tips and tricks 2024
Just got your hands on the brand new Apple Watch Series 9? As the top dog in smartwatches, the Series 9 is loaded with features, sensors, and cool ways to interact. To help you master your new gadget, we've compiled some of the best tips and tricks to make the most of your Apple Watch Series 9.
Apple Watch Series 9 tips and tricks
Access and customize your Smart Stack
Imagine having a helpful assistant on your Apple Watch that shows you just what you need, when you need it. That's the magic of Smart Stack! This clever feature automatically displays relevant widgets throughout your day. For instance, you might see the weather forecast first thing in the morning, followed by your upcoming calendar events.
Want to make Smart Stack even more useful? You can easily customize it! Just swipe up on your watch face to reveal the stack. Then, tap and hold on any widget to enter editing mode. Here, you can pin your favorite widgets to the top for quick access, remove ones you don't use, or even add new ones entirely.
Feeling fancy? Personalize the app widget with up to three shortcuts to the tools you use most. Simply remove the shortcuts you don't want and tap the plus sign to add your go-to functions. With Smart Stack, your watch becomes a personalized information hub, always ready to assist you!
Gesture control simple tasks
Hey Apple Watch Series 9 users, excited about a new way to control your watch? With the watchOS 10.1 update, you can now use Double Tap! This handy feature lets you do things with your watch, even if you're busy with your other hand. Just double tap your watch with your thumb and index finger to control music, silence alarms, and more. Keep in mind that Double Tap won't work when your watch is in Low Power Mode or Sleep Focus is on.
Here's how to use Double Tap:
- Raise your wrist to wake your watch, then double tap with your thumb and forefinger. This lets you pause music, snooze alarms, and stop timers.
- Double tapping from the watch face lets you easily scroll through your Smart Stack widgets.
Want to customize what Double Tap does? No problem!
- Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
- Tap "Gestures" and then "Double Tap."
- Here you can choose what you want Double Tap to do for music playback (play/pause or skip) and your Smart Stack (advance or select).
If you prefer to set up Double Tap on your iPhone, you can do that too!
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Go to the "My Watch" tab and tap "Settings."
- Tap "Gestures" and then "Double Tap."
- From here you can make the same customization choices you would on your watch.
Learn the device’s button assignments
Stretch battery life with Low Power Mode
Tired of your iPhone dying before the day is over? Apple's Low Power Mode can be your knight in shining armor, helping you squeeze out those extra hours you need. Forget the company's 18-hour battery life claim - with Low Power Mode, you can easily extend your phone's life beyond a full day's use.
Here's how to activate Low Power Mode and get the most out of your iPhone's battery:
- On your watch face, simply press the side button to bring up the Control Center.
- Tap the battery percentage you see displayed.
- Look for "Low Power Mode" and tap it.
- A confirmation screen will appear. Tap "Turn On" to activate the mode.
Schedule Focus modes
Hey there! Want to silence distractions on your Apple Watch? Just like on your iPhone, Focus modes can help you achieve digital peace during sleep, work, or any other time you need to disconnect. You can either mirror your iPhone's Focus schedule on your Apple Watch Series 9, or create brand new ones right from your wrist.
Here's how to set up a Focus schedule:
- (Press the crown) First, get to your apps by pressing the digital crown on your watch face.
- (Find Focus) Open the Settings app, then tap "Focus."
- (Pick your Focus) Now, choose the category you want to schedule - Do Not Disturb, Personal, or Work. Remember, Sleep Focus uses the schedule you set in your Sleep app, even if you haven't enabled iPhone mirroring.
- (New schedule) Tap "Add new" and create a brand new schedule for your chosen Focus mode.
Customize your watch face
The good news for Apple Watch Series 9 owners is that you don't have to settle for boring watch faces! Apple offers a ton of different designs to choose from. So whether you want to show off a favorite picture, pick a color that matches your mood, or have all your important info and shortcuts at a glance, there's a watch face for you. WatchOS 10 even lets you pick an animated Snoopy one, how cool is that?
Here's how to jazz up your watch face:
- Hold down on your current watch face.
- Swipe all the way to the left and tap "Add New".
- Use your finger or the digital crown (the little dial on the side) to make your choices.
If you want to tweak a watch face you already have, just hold down on your current one and tap "Edit" under the design you want to change. Easy!
Share contacts via NameDrop
Got a new friend with an Apple Watch? Sharing your contact details is a breeze! With the latest software (iOS 17.1 and watchOS 10.1), a feature called NameDrop lets you exchange information with a simple tap and hold.
Here's how it works:
- Open the Contacts app on your Apple Watch and tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Select "Share" and bring your watch close to the other person's Apple Watch. You'll feel a vibration when the connection starts.
- Keep the watches close together until "NameDrop" pops up on both screens.
- Now you can choose! Share your own contact card and receive theirs in return, or just receive their information.
Sharing from iPhone to Apple Watch is just as easy. Hold your iPhone a few centimeters above the other person's Watch, and follow the same steps once NameDrop appears.
Swap your Apple Watch Series 9 band
Bored with the same old look for your Apple Watch? Don't worry, a brand new band is a super easy way to give your watch a whole new personality! Apple Watch Series 9 bands come in tons of different options, whether you want sporty silicone or classy leather, there's a material to match your style. Plus, the best band is the one that fits right into your life.
Here's how to quickly swap out your Apple Watch band in just a few steps:
- First, flip your Apple Watch over so the screen is facing down on a clean, soft surface. This will help prevent any scratches.
- Next, find the small button by the watch band. Press and hold this button while you gently slide the band sideways, away from the watch face.
- Once one side is loose, repeat the same process for the other band. Now your watch is ready for its new look!
Install third-party apps
Apple offers a ton of third-party apps, from fitness trackers to tools that help you get things done. The App Store has something for pretty much anything you might want on your Apple Watch, even if it doesn't come pre-installed. Normally, apps you download on your iPhone will also show up on your watch, but you can also browse and install apps directly from your wrist.
Here's how to do it:
Just press the digital crown to open your apps. Then, scroll down and tap the App Store icon. You can browse by category or search for a specific app you have in mind. Once you find what you're looking for, tap "Get" and then double-click the side button to download and install the app.
Adjust the brightness, text size, sounds, and haptics on the Apple Watch Series 9
Your Apple Watch Series 9 is more than just a watch - it's a personal device. And just like your favorite pair of shoes, you want it to feel just right. Luckily, Apple Watch lets you adjust a bunch of settings to match your preferences, including the screen brightness, text size, sounds, and even how strong the vibrations are.
Here's how to make your watch truly yours:
Adjusting Brightness and Text Size:
- Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
- Tap on Display & Brightness.
- For brightness, you can either tap the up and down arrows or use the Digital Crown (the little dial on the side) to turn it up or down.
- To change the text size, tap on Text Size. Here, you can choose your preferred size by tapping on the letters or using the Digital Crown. There's also a toggle for Bold Text if you prefer a bolder look.
Finding the Right Sounds:
- Open Settings on your Apple Watch.
- Tap on Sounds & Haptics.
- Under Alert Volume, you'll see volume controls. You can tap the up and down arrows or use the Digital Crown to adjust the volume to your liking.
Feeling the Buzz:
- Open Settings on your Apple Watch.
- Tap on Sounds & Haptics.
- Make sure Haptic Alerts is turned on. Here, you can choose between Default or Prominent vibrations depending on how strong you want them.
- From this menu, you can also turn the Digital Crown haptics on or off, which controls the little vibration you feel when you turn the dial.
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