Tim Hardwick
Last week, Apple released watchOS 10, the latest major software update for compatible Apple Watch models, as well as the new Apple Watch Series 9 and second-generation Apple Watch Ultra, both of which ship with watchOS 10&zwnj ; preinstalled Title watchOS 10 features include a new Smart Stack interface with widgets, new watch faces, and more.
In this In this article, we've listed 22 other features and improvements in Apple's new smartwatch software, many of which may have gone unnoticed. Please be aware that watchOS 10 Requires Apple Watch Series 4 or later, and iPhone XS or later running iOS 17.
1. Automating night mode
On Apple Watch Ultra watchOS 10 introduces a new Modular Ultra watch face that, like the Wayfinder watch face, supports night mode. Night mode puts a red filter on the display, which previously could only be activated manually by rotating the Digital Crown.
However, in watchOS 10 there is Night mode a setting on the watch face editing screen for these two watch faces that allows you to set it to Auto or On/Off. When set to Auto Night Mode automatically activates in low-light conditions, such as when the sleeve covers the watch or when you look at it in a dark room. Please note that rotating the Digital Crown no longer works as this action now triggers a new widget stack.
2. Check the status of Control Center
Small icons at the top of Control Center indicate the status of certain settings—for example, that your Apple Watch is connected to a cellular network, your location is being used by an app, and features like Airplane mode and Do Not Disturb are turned on.
If you're not sure what the displayed status icon means, you can now click on it to get more details.
3. Set multiple timers
Like iPhone running iOS 17, you can now set multiple timers at once on Apple Watch.
Open the timer app, create and start a timer, then tap the + button in the top right corner to return to the Timers screen, where you can create and start another timer.
When counting down multiple timers, you can use the Digital Crown to switch between timer displays, or alternatively, you can keep track of them in the timer list. Tip: To assign a label to the timer, such as “cupcakes,” use Siri. Raise your Apple Watch and say something like, “Set the muffin timer for 12 minutes.”
4. Accessing the App Switcher
In previous versions of watchOS, you could access the Dock by pressing the side button, but in watchOS 10 this action has been reassigned to the Control Center.
In fact, you can still access the Dock (now called the app switcher) by double-tapping the Digital Crown. Rotate the Digital Crown to scroll through apps, and the most recently used app appears at the front of the Dock, followed by other apps in the order they were last opened. Apps that are currently in a session (such as a Maps navigation session or a workout session) appear on the front.
You can also remove apps from the app switcher by rotating the Digital Crown to the app you want. want to delete, swipe left on the app, then tap X.
5. Adjust the flashlight
When the flashlight is activated, you can adjust its brightness intensity by turning digital crown up and down.
To turn on the flashlight, press the side button to open Control Center, then press the Flashlight button. Don't forget that you can also swipe left to choose a mode – constant white light, flashing white light or constant red light.
6. Set target height alert
In the Compass app, you can set a target altitude and receive an alert when you exceed it. A new alert option is designed to help you stay safe and remind you to rest and acclimatize while driving.
Open the Compass app, tap the Info button (i), then tap ” Set a goal.” Anxiety. Rotate the digital crown to set the target height, then press the check button and you'll get a warning when the height is exceeded.
7. Get the relative altitude of a waypoint
Each screen that displays a compass scale in the Compass app has a new altitude button at the bottom of the screen.
Tap it, and you will get a 3D view of your waypoint's altitude relative to your current altitude.
8. Viewing waypoints
In watchOS 10 You can view waypoints, including ones you create in the Compass app, as well as waypoints from guides in the Maps app.
In the Compass app, tap the Info button (i), then tap Waypoints. Tap Compass Waypoints and you'll see all the waypoints you've created, as well as automatically generated waypoints, such as the location of your parked car and the last estimated locations where cellular service and Emergency SOS were available.
You can also tap on a guide, such as My Places or a guide you created in the Maps app, to view those waypoints on the compass. Please note that waypoints more than 50 miles away will not appear on the compass dial.
9. Find your iPhone by route
Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 use the same updated Ultra Wideband chip found in the iPhone 15 series, so if you have one of the latest Apple Watch models, you can use Precision Finding to ping the nearest iPhone 15 and get precise directions to it.
On Apple Watch, press the side button to open Control Center, then tap Ping iPhone button. Your iPhone will play a sound, and if your Apple Watch Series 9 or the Ultra 2 is within range, the screen will display the general course and distance to your iPhone, and the circle will increase in size to guide you in the right direction.
10. Finding walking directions
In watchOS 10 You can use the Maps app to find walking trails and learn more about them, including details such as their name, length, highest and lowest elevations, and the distance from your current location to the nearest hotspot.
In the Maps app, highlight the area you want to find, tap the search button, then type “trails” in the input field. Nearby trailheads will appear as clickable green dots, and the trail name will appear at the bottom of the screen. You can also rotate the Digital Crown to view nearby route results.
11. View offline maps
In iOS 17 Apple has added the ability to download maps for offline use, giving you access to turn-by-turn directions and information for a selected area even if you don't have a cellular or Wi-Fi connection.
Offline maps automatically available on Apple Watch when your iPhone turned on and within Bluetooth range (about 33 feet or 10 meters). To learn how to download offline maps to your iPhone, read our dedicated guide.
12. View maps Walking radius
Maps has a new Walking Radius feature that shows how long it will take you to reach points of interest around you.
Turn the Digital Crown to change the radius. You can increase your walking time to 60 minutes. To change the radius unit to distance, touch and hold the map, scroll down, then tap Distance under the Radius Unit section.
13. Share your location
As in iOS 17, you can now tell others where you are by sharing your location in Messages, and it will update in real time while you're talking.
Start a new message or open a conversation, press the A button, then press the Share Location button. You can then choose to see your current location (Share), which is updated in real time, or share your static location (tap the pin icon, then tap Share Pin).
If you share your current location, you can do so for one hour, for the rest of the day, or indefinitely. To stop sharing your location, simply tap your shared location and then tap Stop Sharing.
14. Start a Group FaceTime Call
In watchOS 10 You can now start group FaceTime audio calls directly on Apple Watch.
Open the Phone app on Apple Watch, launch FaceTime audio call, then tap the ellipsis button and tap Add People to select a contact. When someone joins the call, tap 2 active people, tap the + button, then select another contact.
15. Record your state of mind
Using the Mindfulness app on Apple Watch, you can record your mood at different times throughout the day and determine your overall mood for the day.
Tap “State of Mind,” then tap “Write down how you feel now,” or “Write down how you feel in general today.” Rotate the digital crown to indicate how you're feeling, then press the check mark button. You'll then be asked to choose words that describe how you feel and what affects you the most.
Once you've recorded your state of mind, you can compare it to other lifestyle factors in the Health app on your iPhone&zwnj ; in the section “Mental Well-Being” -> “State of Mind”.
16. Video recording
For the first time on Apple Watch in watchOS 10 You can use the Camera Remote app to record video from your iPhone.
Simply open the Camera Remote app, position your iPhone To frame a shot using Apple Watch as a viewfinder, rotate the Digital Crown to zoom in, then press and hold the shutter button to start recording video. Release the button to stop.
17. Home Energy Planning
In the Home app on Apple Watch, Apple has added a new Grid Forecast section similar to what's on the iPhone in iOS 17. This feature is designed to use your location to tell you when you can use clean energy so you can keep a close eye on when you're using energy.
Open the Home app, then Tap the Energy category to display the grid forecast. Green bars in the widget indicate when cleaner energy is available in your area. If there are no bands, cleaner energy is not predicted in the near future.
If you're traveling, Grid Forecast shows power consumption information for both your home location and the location of your paired iPhone&zwnj ;. Please note that Grid Forecast is only available in the US.
18. Add another AirPlay device
When controlling audio on an AirPlay device like HomePod, you can switch or add additional AirPlay devices using the Now Playing app.
On the Now Playing screen, tap the ellipsis (three dots) button. Tap AirPlay, then add devices by tapping them. You can also stop playback on any device by simply tapping it.
19. Type to Speak
Using the Live Speech accessibility feature, you can type on Apple Watch and speak your words out loud in person, over the phone, and over FaceTime audio calls. Live Speech can be set up on your Apple Watch by going to Settings -> Accessibility -> Live Speech, where you can choose the voice to use.
After setting up the accessibility shortcut (Settings -> Accessibility -> Accessibility Shortcut -> Live Speech), you can triple-click the Digital Crown and type in what you want to say. loudly.
20. Change your email signature
By default, messages you send from Apple Watch are signed with “Sent from my Apple Watch.” Up to watchOS 10 You couldn't set up a signature for email tracking, but now you can.
Open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, tap Mail, then tap Custom. Click Signature, then create a new signature.
21. Share the news
watchOS 10 introduces the ability to share news in Apple News with Apple Watch.
Open the News app on your watch, highlight a story, and tap it. Scroll down, click the Share button, then select a sharing option.
22. Check your Apple Watch
For some time now it has become possible to perform a ping with a lost iPhone with your Apple Watch. In iOS 17 you can now do the opposite and ping your Apple Watch using iPhone if you forgot where you put it.
Apple doesn't include the new Check My Watch button in Control Center by default, but you can add it manually: go to Settings -> Control Center, then under More Controls, click the + button next to Check My Watch. (Okay, technically this isn't a watchOS 10 feature, but it's still worth knowing!)
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