Our everyday lives are inundated with displays from smartphones, computers, tablets, TVs, and other devices, so it's important to find ways to limit your screen use wherever possible to improve your overall digital well-being. One simple thing you can do if you have an Apple Watch is make your watch tell you the time so you don't have to look yourself — and this little-known feature is easy to unlock. There are actually multiple ways on watchOS that can make your watch indicate the current ...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
Considering how the Apple Watch works as an extension to your iPhone, it would've seemed like a no-brainer to include the ability to view your iPhone's battery life from the Watch, but in true Apple fashion, they did not. Thankfully, developer Kelly Pangburn did Apple's job for them, creating a simple application that allows you to view your iPhone's battery percentage quickly and easily from your Apple Watch. Download & Install Battery WatcherAlthough Battery Watcher isn't the only app t...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
As someone who loves to run around my neighborhood, the Apple Watch feature that excited me the most was the ability to go out and exercise while listening to music, all without having to lug my iPhone around. After unboxing the Apple Watch, that's one of the first features I tried to set up. As it turns out, it's not very intuitive and can take some getting used to. Check out the guide below to learn how to save music directly on your Apple Watch. Select Your Playlist on the iPhoneUpload (or...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
With the first wave of Apple Watches being received today, you're probably busy setting yours up and playing with all its features. Regardless of whether you purchased the Apple Watch Sport or the Apple Watch, you're probably fine with not having spent the extra 10,000-17,000 dollars on the Apple Watch Edition. But then there's Casey Neistat, who just couldn't leave well enough alone. Here's how he turned his Apple Watch into a de facto Apple Watch Edition, and all it took was some spray pain...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
The Apple Watch may be a much simpler device than your iPhone, but that doesn't mean it's free of bugs, glitches, and crashes just like your other devices. A common problem that you'll run into is a frozen screen due to a malfunctioning app. While this can be frustrating, the solution can be as simple as a quick reboot. Restarting Your Apple WatchFor the less serious issues, a quick reboot should do the trick. Power down the device by pressing and holding the side button — not the digital c...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
Regardless of the size and metal-type you purchased, storage and space are limited on the Apple Watch, so stuffing it full of apps like you'd do on your iPhone may not be in your best interest. If you went app crazy when you first set up your Apple Watch, don't worry—it's easy to uninstall some of them. Just know that you can only delete third-party apps, which means stock apps like Photos or Workout are there to stay. How to Remove Applications Using the WatchMuch like on the iPhone, in or...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
For all that money spent on a new Watch, Apple could've given us more than just a charger and its case. I mean, the case is nice and all, but what realistic use is there for it? In all honesty, it'll probably find its way onto a shelf high above in the closet—but it doesn't have to. Thanks to the innovative efforts of Reddit user gmcddit, you can easily turn that fancy case into a charging dock. All you need is a knife and a marker. Remove the PanelTo begin, remove the fitted panel that's a...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
Accessing and getting in touch with your favorite contacts has never been easier thanks to the "Friends" feature on the Apple Watch. However, this only applies to users who are running watchOS 2.2.2 and lower. When Apple issued watchOS 3, the "Friends" option was completely removed. So if you're running watchOS 3 or higher, you won't be able to follow these instructions. How to Use the Friends List on Apple WatchUsing the side button from anywhere on the device, you can access your "Friends" ...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
If you have an Apple Watch, it's easier than ever to ask Siri for directions, send a quick text, or locate the nearest Chipotle—because you don't need to pull out your iPhone anymore. Luckily, Apple made it fairly painless to get Siri up and running on the Watch, so let's go over the two quick activation methods. Method #1: Use "Hey, Siri"The first and simplest way to request Siri is by simply saying "Hey, Siri." Unlike the iPhone running iOS 8, you won't need to be plugged into a power sou...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
As you're probably well aware by now, the Apple Watch isn't just for sending text messages and checking Instagram—you can also use it as your wallet. With Apple Pay compatibility, you can use your Watch to make purchases at any retailer that accepts the payment service. Luckily, setting up Apple Pay is just about as easy as using it on your Apple Watch, and here's how to do it. How to Set Up Apple Pay for Your WatchOpen the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, scroll down and tap on "Passbook &a...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
Apple Watch doesn't include a multitasking feature like its iPhone companion, so there's no way to show active apps or swipe up to force-close one. Watch is an extension of the iPhone, not a replacement, so including a fully-functional multitasking feature seems impractical. So while you can't truly multitask, there is a simple trick that'll allow you to quickly switch to your last used application. While using your Apple Watch, all you have to do is double-click the Digital Crown and you'll ...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
Customization helps your device stand out from the rest, and that sentiment is no different when it comes to the Apple Watch. Unlike every other Apple device before it, the Watch allows you to customize the information that appears on the UI—without the need for any jailbreaking. The Apple Watch comes with ten different watch faces, most of which can be customized, whether it's details on the clock, information that appears on the face, colors, etc. How to Edit Watch FacesStart by using For...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
On the Apple Watch, along with the conventional emojis we've grown to love, there are new animated emojis that add a new dimension of fun for you and your friends. Unbeknownst to many, these animated faces also include a feature that allow you to change their color. When swiping and scrolling through the array of animated emojis, to change the color, just perform the Force Touch action, lightly pressing down on the display. As of right now, the only other color you can change the emoji to is ...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
It probably doesn't happen much, but occasionally you'll run into a frozen or bugged-out app on your iPhone or other iOS device. That's where force-closing comes in, allowing you to close any app manually through a few clicks and swipes. While the process of force-closing an app is fairly straightforward on the iPhone, it's not so apparent on the Apple Watch. So if you have a frozen or troublesome app on your Watch, here's how to force-close it. Go to your Home screen, open an app, and hold d...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
Functioning as an extension of your iPhone, the Apple Watch makes monitoring and receiving notifications convenient with just a glance, leaving your iPhone in your purse or pocket. But just like on your iPhone, these notifications can begin to stack up, so let's show you the one-touch method for clearing them all at once. While on the watch face, swipe down from the top of the display to enter the Notification Center. Instead of swiping away each notification individually, perform a Force Tou...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
Depending on how many Watch-compatible apps you have, the Home screen on your Apple Watch is either insanely clean or absurdly messy. When I first synced my Watch with my iPhone, I was attacked with a huge honeycomb of apps, strewn across my Home screen in no particular order. Thankfully, Apple has an easy way to tame this beehive, letting you place your favorite and most-used apps in the center of your Home screen, then adjusting the positioning of the rest of your apps. How to Adjust the Ap...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
The display on the Apple Watch is way too small to even attempt typing on it, which is why the Messages app only allows for responses using default replies or by speaking a message. But you won't always be able to speak a message, and often the default replies will be too generic to want to use. The Handoff feature may be the best option for creating long, detailed text messages, but for shorter ones, just create your own personalized canned responses and have them readily available when repl...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
Continuity, introduced back when iOS 8 and Mac OS X 10.10 were released, lets users seamlessly connect all of their Apple devices together. With it came a feature known as Handoff that "hands off" an app or task from one Apple device to another, like starting an email on your iPhone and completing it on your Mac. The Apple Watch also has Handoff built-in, which means you don't have to strain your eyes on a super small display attempting to read a long email—you can just pass it off to your ...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
While the Apple Watch does have up to 18 hours of battery life each day on a full charge, your results will vary depending on how often you use it and what you're actually doing with it. If your Apple Watch isn't lasting all day long, we've got some battery-saving tips you can try out. Of course, you shouldn't use all of these tips, lest you render your Watch mostly unusable, but you should figure out which ones make the most sense for you and your daily usage. Tip #1: Disable Unnecessary Not...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
While some of the additions to the emoji keyboard in iOS 8.3 have been criticized for actually doing the opposite of their intended purpose, they've been well received overall. But the biggest winner of the new emojis was one that actually wasn't even released—the "Vulcan salute" emoji. Aside from being a new, secret addition to the iOS emoji family, the sentimental gesture came as a commemoration of the late Leonard Nimoy, the actor who portrayed the iconic role of Spock on Star Trek from ...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
Your Apple Watch only looks as good as the band that it's bound to, but if you're looking to purchase one directly from Apple, expect to spend anywhere from $149 (for the Milanese Loop) to $449 (for the Link Bracelet). Instead of spending all that money on a new Watch band, why not just use one that you've already got at home? Thanks to a simple guide from Lewis Hilsenteger from Unbox Therapy, you can attach any standard watch band to your Apple Watch. Things You'll NeedApple Watch with eithe...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
With audible alerts and subtle vibrations, the Apple Watch makes it difficult to miss incoming notifications. But soon enough you'll realize that not every notification is worth receiving on your Watch and can ultimately render the experience annoying under particular circumstances—like when your popular Instagram post floods in notification after notification. Fortunately, there are a couple ways to prevent a flood of notifications from dampening your Apple Watch-wearing experience. After ...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
With the high rate of obesity in the United States, it's fantastic to see the massive wave of fitness tools available, even if it's just a trend. And with the companionship of your Apple Watch, keeping track of your progress or fitness goals has never been easier. As my LA Fitness intercom repeatedly announces, "What gets measured gets improved." (Corny, but very true.) While your Apple Watch does come with its own Activity and Workout apps, I'm going to show you some third-party fitness opti...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
No, your Apple Watch isn't totally hacker-proof, despite what some have claimed. The basic idea behind its security is that the Watch can detect when it is removed from a wrist, and automatically requires a passcode to be entered if removed (if one is set up, which is a requirement for using Apple Pay). So we set out to trick the sensor into thinking it's still on a wrist while removing it. Taking that a step further, we wanted to see if we could use this "exploit" to bring up Apple Pay and m...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
There are more ways to wear an Apple Watch than just the default one. Out of the box, an Apple Watch is set up to be worn on your left wrist with the Digital Crown on the right side. But what if want the Digital Crown facing the opposite way? Or what if you're left-handed and want the Watch on your right wrist instead? Luckily, switching wrists, screen orientation, and/or the Digital Crown position on the Apple Watch is a fairly simple thing to do. Switch the OrientationNo matter if you want ...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
There's a recently discovered flaw by iDownloadBlog that lets thieves reset a stolen Apple Watch without a hitch, which is the result of Apple not including the Activation Lock feature that iPhones have had since iOS 7. Activation Lock requires your Apple ID and password to erase or reactivate an iPhone, but the Watch has no such feature, as shown below. Don't miss: How Apple Watch Thieves Can Use Your Apple PayBasically, a hard reset can be performed by thieves on a stolen Apple Watch by lon...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
Everyone's forgotten where they parked their car at least once. Either you forget to take note of the section you parked in, or maybe it's more of a Dude, Where's My Car? type of situation. Either way, you're left to circle the same street or parking structure, over and over, with nothing but exhaustion and frustration to show for it. As location-pinning apps and options for your smartphone became more prevalent, losing your car started to become a thing of the past. Going a step further now,...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
To take group shots and better selfies on your iPhone, you can use your Apple Watch as a remote shutter for the Camera app—but what if you want to take a snapshot or video with a different app? Reddit user JaJaWa recently discovered a trick that turns the Digital Crown on the Apple Watch into a remote shutter for third-party photo and video apps such as Snapchat, Flickr, and Hyperlapse, and it's very similar to taking pics and videos using an iPhone's volume buttons or headphones' remote. T...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
Whether it's to flaunt your new digital face on Instagram or to show off a unique app to your friends, you'll ultimately need to know how to take a quick screenshot with your shiny new Apple Watch. Turns out, it's not that much different than taking one on your iPhone. How to Take a Screenshot on the Apple WatchTo capture a screenshot, all you need to do is quickly press and release the Digital Crown and side button simultaneously. Alternatively, like the iPhone, you can press and hold either...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
With only a few days until Apple Watch preorders begin, and just a couple of weeks until its official release, the biggest question in Apple Land seems to be: "Are you going to get an Apple Watch?" Apple Watch Pricing & AvailabilityProbably the biggest concern that most of you are wrestling with is its price. With three different models, two different case sizes, and plenty of bands to choose from, an Apple Watch will cost you anywhere from $349 for the entry-level Watch Sport to $17,000 ...| Apple watchOS - Gadget Hacks
Apple's new Watch models go on sale April 24th in Apple Stores everywhere, and can be preordered online starting April 10th. If you're set on preordering...| Gadget Hacks
Master watchOS with expert Apple Watch tips, tricks, and tutorials to boost fitness, extend battery, and unlock powerful features you didn’t know existed.| Gadget Hacks
The rumor mill is churning again, and this time it's about something we've all been quietly hoping for: Touch ID on our wrists. Fresh code discoveries hint that Apple's been quietly working on biometric authentication for the Apple Watch, along with a handful of other features that could transform how we interact with our wearables. Sound familiar? It should—Apple's been dancing around this idea for years, but now the pieces are falling into place at exactly the right moment. What you need ...| Apple - Gadget Hacks
Ever notice how your Apple Watch seems to know exactly when you need a little nudge to get moving? Here's the kicker: Apple's about to give you the perfect excuse to lace up those hiking boots and explore the great outdoors. What you need to know: The annual National Parks Apple Watch Activity Challenge launches on August 24, celebrating America's natural treasures Complete any 20-minute workout to earn a limited-edition digital badge and animated stickers for Messages This marks eight years ...| Apple - Gadget Hacks
The fight for your pulse oximetry isn't over yet—but for the first time in over a year, U.S. Apple Watch users might finally have a path forward. After...| Gadget Hacks
Reviewed by Corey Noles After more than a year in patent purgatory, Apple officially brought blood oxygen monitoring back to U.S. Apple Watches today. But here's the kicker: reading your SpO2 levels just got a lot more complicated. The feature that once displayed readings directly on your wrist now requires a detour through your iPhone's Health app, thanks to Apple's workaround to sidestep Masimo's iron-clad patents. What you need to know: This isn't the seamless health tracking you remember....| Apple - Gadget Hacks
Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir Apple's been teasing health breakthroughs for years, but the Series 11 launching next month might actually deliver the goods. After a decade of incremental updates, Apple is positioning the Watch as "not just a smartwatch, but a full-fledged AI-powered health and productivity companion." The headline feature? Blood pressure monitoring that could alert users to hypertension—a condition that causes nearly 13% of all deaths worldwide according to the WHO, yet ofte...| Apple - Gadget Hacks
Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir Picture this: while the rest of the world celebrates Apple Watch's global achievements, Apple is quietly crafting something special just for China. We're talking about a targeted fitness push that goes way beyond your typical "close your rings" challenge. What you need to know: Apple is planning another National Fitness Day challenge exclusively for Chinese Apple Watch users, requiring just 20 minutes of exercise on August 8 China's fitness landscape is massive ...| Apple - Gadget Hacks
I've been testing wearables for years, and I've always been fascinated by the mountain of data they collect. Heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep stages—the sensors keep getting better, but here's what caught my attention: Apple just dropped research suggesting that how you move, sleep, and live might be more telling than any biometric reading your watch can take. This isn't just another incremental sensor upgrade—it's a fundamental shift in how we understand health monitoring. What you need t...| Apple - Gadget Hacks
Your Apple Watch is a fantastic tool that can help you perform daily tasks on your iPhone. Notifications get filtered through it, you can respond to messages on it, and you can even use Apple Pay to purchase goods and services. Your Apple Watch is also a valuable asset when it comes to finding your lost iPhone, too.| Gadget Hacks
There's a feature that every Apple Watch owner should know about — one that makes navigating menus, tapping tiny ic ...| Gadget Hacks
When you need to subtly glance at the time or check your workout metrics without raising your wrist, the always-on ...| Gadget Hacks
The Apple Watch is rapidly becoming a standalone device that you can use without an iPhone or internet connection, ...| Gadget Hacks
If you're a fan of sending audio messages on your iPhone, you might be disappointed when tapping the microphone but ...| Gadget Hacks
One of the smaller frustrations of the coronavirus pandemic is unlocking your iPhone with Face ID while wearing a m ...| Gadget Hacks
In the case of Apple Watch v. Fitbit, the winner comes down to the judge at hand. Apple currently offers two smartw ...| Gadget Hacks
Waking up your Apple Watch to see "your heart has shown signs of an irregular rhythm suggestive of atrial fibrillat ...| Gadget Hacks
You're minding your business when your Apple Watch taps you. To your surprise, the watch claims your heart rate dip ...| Gadget Hacks
Your Apple Watch sends you notifications from friends, family, and the apps that are important to you. Occasionally ...| Gadget Hacks
A clean slate may be just what your Apple Watch needs. Whether you want to start fresh, wipe all your personal data ...| Gadget Hacks
Using a passcode on your Apple Watch is a good way to keep other people out of your data, but what happens when you ...| Gadget Hacks
While there isn't as much personal data residing on your Apple Watch as there is on your iPhone, it's still a good ...| Gadget Hacks
Whether you like to go swimming or jump in a hot shower with your Apple Watch on, the chance is pretty high that yo ...| Gadget Hacks
I've called 911 accidentally more than a few times on my iPhone using the Emergency SOS triggers, but it's also jus ...| Gadget Hacks
When you can't reach your iPhone or don't have it on you, how do you get help from emergency services? Unless you h ...| Gadget Hacks
Not to be outdone by the announcements of Mac OS X El Capitan and iOS 9, the Apple Watch is also getting a much needed software update. Some of the notable new features we can look forward to on watchOS 2 are Nightstand mode, additional screens for friends, email replies, and other improvements we probably should have already had.| Gadget Hacks
Get smartphone lifehacks with Gadget Hacks! Explore tips on OS, apps, mods, & features to maximize your device and choose the perfect upgrade.| Gadget Hacks
There's no default keyboard on the Apple Watch, but watchOS has another way to let you type text out for emails, me ...| Gadget Hacks
When you think about your Apple Watch, what comes to mind? Fitness tracking? Replying to texts? There are a lot of ...| Gadget Hacks
Apple Watch owners know the struggle — it's the end of the day, and those rings aren't met. Whether you forgot your ...| Gadget Hacks