How to set up and use your Apple Watch: The ultimate guide

Apple Watch will help you stay informed, stay in shape, stay in touch, and more. Once you set it up.

The Apple Watch is the most personal computer the company ever made. You wear it on your wrist and it pairs with the iPhone in your pocket or bag. From there it gives you notifications and widget-like glances, tracks your activity and exercise, handles calls and messages, makes payments, and controls your music and TV, and more. You can even customize your Apple Watch by swapping bands, changing clock faces, and more.

Here's everything you need to know to get started!

What's in the box

Your Apple Watch includes the watch case, the strap, a magnetic charger, an AC power adapter, and an introductory pamphlet.

How to set up and pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone

The first thing you need to do with your new Apple Watch is set it up and pair it with your iPhone. That's what the Apple Watch app is for. It comes pre-installed on your iPhone and lets you set up and manage almost every aspect of your Apple Watch. The Apple Watch app is what you'll use to complete the initial pairing and sync, and how you'll adjust settings and install apps going forward. You can even choose to set it up right or left handed. If you're not sure how to get started, we'll walk you through the entire process!

How to update the Watch OS software on your Apple Watch

Apple Watch software updates are similar to iPhone software updates. Because the Apple Watch is paired to the iPhone for internet access and easy device management, however, Watch OS updates aren't done directly on the Apple Watch. Instead, they're done using the Apple Watch for iPhone app. To get started, make sure you have your iPhone ready and on Wi-Fi, and your Apple Watch is charged to 50% or more and connected to its magnetic charger.

How to swap bands on your Apple Watch

The Apple Watch is both a gadget and a fashion accessory, and that means interchangeable bands. No matter what version Apple Watch you purchased, you can buy additional bands that fit the many different aspects of your lifestyle. If you're heading to the gym, for example, you can switch to a sport band. If you're heading for an evening out, the Milanese or Classic Buckle might be a better option. Best of all, the process for changing bands is super simple as long as you know how!

How to navigate and control your Apple Watch

The Apple Watch has two hardware buttons and a capacitive screen but, just like the iPhone, there's a lot you can do with them! There;s a Digital Crown which you can press like a home button but also turn to scroll or zoom, and there's a Side button which you can use to power on or off but also access friends, Apple Pay, and more. There's even Siri, the virtual personal assistant, so you can control your Apple Watch with the sound of your voice.

How to change and customize the watch face on your Apple Watch

With Apple Watch, you're not limited to a single watch face like you are with a traditional timepiece. Force Touch and you can change your Apple Watch from chronograph to color, modular to utility, Mickey Mouse to simple, motion to solar, astronomy to... you get the idea. Each has a different density and character, a different capacity for complication and customization. Best of all, changing your watch face is really easy to do once you know how!

How to set up notifications on your Apple Watch

The Apple Watch shows you short and long glances — discreet and informative notifications — for messages, news alerts, and more. As long as your Apple Watch is paired with your iPhone over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, whatever is sent to your iPhone will be relayed to your Apple Watch. That is, as long as your iPhone is locked and your Apple Watch is on and in contact with your wrist. Which notifications get relayed, however, are up to you.

How to set up Friends and communicate on your Apple Watch

Friends are the people closest to you, the ones you message, the ones you call, and with Apple Watch they're only one side button press away. The Apple Watch lets you set up your most frequent and important contacts that way, as "Friends", so you can access them quickly. And that's just one of the ways you can communicate on your Apple Watch.

How to install and use glances and apps on your Apple Watch

The Apple Watch includes a bevy of built-in apps like Messages, Photos, Workout, and more, but you can also enable App Store extensions from your iPhone for many of your favorite third-party apps. You can manage all your apps on your Apple Watch, or use the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and manage them on the bigger screen.

How to setup Apple Pay on your Apple Watch

If you have an Apple Watch, you have Apple Pay on your wrist. Once you set it up. Apple Pay on your Apple Watch is a different experience than it is on your iPhone, but it's every bit as safe and secure. With it, you can tap to pay at thousands of retail locations across the U.S. Before you can start using it with your credit and debit cards, however, you need to set it up.

How to set up and use Activity and Workout on your Apple Watch

The Apple Watch includes new and novel health and fitness features that can help motivate you and keep you on track. Out of the box, your Apple Watch can count your calories and steps, track your workouts, and even monitor your heart rate. Whether your goal is losing weight, gaining cardio, monitoring your health for medical reasons, or to live a better life, the Apple Watch and its built-in Activity, Workout, and Health apps can help you do just that.

How to transfer music and set up a Bluetooth headset on your Apple Watch

Apple Watch and iPhone may be two devices that become even better together, but Apple's wearable is still powerful in its own right. If you leave your iPhone at home, there's still a lot you can do with your Apple Watch on its own. That includes some basic things like checking the time and looking at photos, but it also includes playing music stored locally on your Apple Watch. All you need is a playlist... and a Bluetooth headset.

How to set up and use Accessibility on your Apple Watch

Apple Watch includes a broad range of accessibility options. That includes VoiceOver, Zoom, Greyscale, Bold Text, Reduce Motion, Reduce Transparency, On/Off labels, Mono Audio, and more!

How to take a screenshot on your Apple Watch

The Apple Watch lets you easily take a screenshot you can save with yourself or share privately or socially. Sure, taking a screenshot might be obvious to some, but it's not something Apple explains when you first get your Apple Watch. So, if you want to capture a conversation or a score, a piece of news or a bug, it's absolutely worth knowing how to do it. Best of all, it's as easy as clicking on a couple of buttons. And because your Apple Watch is paired with your iPhone, you can find and share your screenshot from either device!

How to reboot your Apple Watch

A reset, restart, or reboot — whatever you want to call it — is sometimes the best way fix a problem, even on the Apple Watch. It could be unusual battery drain, it could be erratic performance, it could just be your need for a fresh start. Whatever the reason, just like an iPhone or iPad, the Apple Watch can be easily turned off and turned back on again. Yes, that means the oldest trick in troubleshooting works even with the most modern gadget on the market, your Apple Watch










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