At first glance the Apple Watch is a simple device, however, it is full of features that can greatly enhance your everyday life.
Some of these features are hidden beneath the surface and need to get the visibility they should.
Therefore, whether you are using an Apple Watch for the first time or have used it for a while, you will certainly want to unlock these nine hidden features.
1. Unlock Your Mac Automatically
Imagine this: you walk towards your workspace, open your Mac, and boom! It’s unlocked! You can no longer write passwords or use Touch ID.
It’s something that even your Apple Watch can perform, and this is one of those features that makes life a little bit easier.
After your watch is paired with your Mac, the Mac will automatically unlock when the watch is used.
To do this from the Apple menu on the Mac, go to “System Preferences” followed by “Security and Privacy” and then check the box allowing your applications and Mac to be unlocked using your Apple Watch. Easy, integrated, and provides peace of mind.
2. Control Your iPhone Camera Remotely
When you’re the one behind the camera, it can quite be challenging to get that perfect group picture, or even take that beautiful sunset photograph.
Enter your Apple watch, which can also act as a remote camera shutter for your iPhone.
Simply launch the Camera application on your Apple Watch and the connection to the camera of an iPhone will ensue.
You can Get a live view; tap to focus; set a timer or even take burst shot- all without taking off your wrist.
It’s ideal when the phone is placed away for a group or a selfie and one doesn’t want to hurry and get to the position.
3. Find Your iPhone with a Tap
We have all experienced this situation where the iPhone is missing and you are in a hurry to find it.
If you have an Apple Watch, there is no need to fret. You can simply tap your iPhone to make it ring, even if it is in silent mode.
To access Control Center, swipe up from the bottom of your watch face and click the iPhone symbol. If your iPhone is within reach, it will sound to help locate it.
Pro tip: Double pressing the same button will also cause the iPhone to blink its light, which is useful when the phone is lost amidst soft surfaces.
4. Unlock Your iPhone While Wearing a Mask
Using an iPhone equipped with Face ID while wearing a mask became one of the major issues during the peak of the pandemic.
And Apple found a way around this problem, which involves your Apple Watch quite a lot.
In case Face ID detects that there is a mask on the person, the Apple Watch can unlock the iPhone, thus eliminating the need to enter a passcode.
To use this feature, you need to enable it in the settings of your iPhone: Select “Face ID & Passcode” and turn on the option for “Unlock with Apple Watch.”
It’s not a big deal really but when the time comes to use it, you appreciate it.
5. Measure Your Noise Exposure
It’s a simple feature and easy to use, but this is crucial for your health in the long run.
The Apple Watch has an option to measure ambient noise levels and warn users of the unsafe threshold when exposed.
This option can be activated in the Noise app. When this feature is activated, your Apple Watch will pay attention to the background noise and alert you if it exceeds the level of 90 dB which when maintained could lead to hearing impairment.
It does not matter if you are at a loud event, working in a noisy place, or even passing by a building under construction, Apple has your watch to help you care for your ears.
6. Handwashing Timer
During the pandemic, a lot of emphasis was placed on handwashing, which encouraged Apple to incorporate an intelligent feature into the Watch’s automatic handwashing trainer.
So, when the watch senses that you are in the process of washing your hands, it will start a 20-second countdown in the form of a timer, as health practitioners recommend this period.
It will also chastise you if you stop the action earlier than advised.
It is not just about the timing; it is also about forming a proper habit. One can enable the functionality in the Watch application installed on the iPhone.
All you have to do is find ‘Handwashing’ and turn it on.
7. Track Your Sleep
In today’s world where sleep is very important, the Apple Watch seems not to receive a glance on sleep tracking as it ought to.
For instance, if one wears the watch to bed, it will track the different sleep states, the time spent asleep and the continuity of sleep cycles.
It is possible to access sleep information through the Health app installed in one’s iPhone that gives statistics on the quality of sleep enjoyed by the user.
To make better use of this feature, program a sleep routine in the Sleep application on your Apple Watch.
This way, you will be reminded of bedtime, and the Watch will also activate the Do Not Disturb option to ensure that other notifications do not interrupt your sleep.
8. Unlock Your Car
Yes, your Apple Watch can unlock certain cars. If your vehicle supports digital car keys via Apple Wallet, you can add your car key to your Watch.
Once set up, you can lock, unlock, and even start your car using your Apple Watch.
So first, launch the Wallet app on your iPhone, press the ‘+’ icon to add a new card, and follow the instructions to add your car keys.
It’s a revolutionary tool, more so if you happen to be carrying groceries or simply don’t want to reach out for your phone or key fob.
9. Walkie-Talkie Mode
The Walkie-Talkie feature available on an Apple Watch is one of those features that helps to add some flavor as well as function.
The Apple Watch enables real-time voice messaging to other users as if they were using a walkie-talkie.
To utilize the feature, launch the Walkie-Talkie application installed on your wristwatch and select a particular person.
In a situation where your mate agrees, you are now able to engage in voice conversations the same way the vintage hand-held devices worked.
This is perfect for short, simple conversations, or if you need to ask a question, but are not ready to talk on the telephone for a long period.
Bonus: Customize Your Watch Face Complications
This may not be a well guarded secret but a lot of users do not realize how much one can modify the Apple watch faces.
Along with watch faces, a macro also appears in the form of circles at the bottom of the Kiwi dial – these are called PRACTICALS and of course, they are very flexible.
This means one can easily glance at all the applications he/she uses the most without any strain.
There are several varieties of Watch face compilations that you can use such as the weather, battery life, activity rings, calendar events, and so on, allowing you to customize your Watch to show the details that you want most.
To set up complications, press and hold your watch face, tap “Edit,” and swipe over to the complications screen.
From here, you can tap on a complication and choose the one you want.
Final Thoughts for Apple Watch
At first sight, the Apple Watch may look like just another addition to your wrist, however, there is so much more to the tiny gadget than meets the eye.
These underlying functionalities provide clues to just how effective and useful it can be in everyday living.
The Apple Watch is full of surprises whether it’s trying to help in the automation of mundane things, boosting your productivity, or even enhancing one’s health.
Therefore, go ahead and try these hidden features and see how they change your experience for the better!
