7 Apple Watch settings you should enable and disable right away

7 Apple Watch settings you lot should enable and disable correct away

(Prototype credit: Future)

If you lot're the possessor of a new Apple Watch, you might exist wondering which settings you lot should enable (or disable) afterward you've taken your smartwatch out of the box. Whether you only got the Apple Watch 7, Apple Watch SE or any other Apple tree Watch, here'southward how to get started.

The Apple Lookout is the best smartwatch you tin can buy, largely due to a customizable user experience that caters to about individual'southward needs. Do you lot want your smartwatch to detect when yous've fallen, and call emergency services? There's a feature for that. Exercise you want to plough off Always On display manner make your new hgApple Lookout battery life last longer? You tin do that, too.

All these Apple Lookout man settings are optional, though we recommend checking them out then y'all best know how to use the Apple tree Watch. Y'all tin reference this guide or our smartwatch buying guide at any time, too — not just when yous're commencement setting upwardly your smartwatch.

Nearly (but non all) of these features are found on all the all-time Apple tree Lookout man models. But be sure to check out our guides to the Apple Watch vii vs. Apple tree Sentry half-dozen and Apple tree Watch seven vs. Apple tree Lookout SE for all the differences between dissimilar Apple Lookout versions.

1. Fall detection

Apple Watch fall deteciton — (Prototype credit: Apple)

Autumn Detection isn't automatically enabled on a new Apple Watch. There are multiple instances where the Fall Detection characteristic — which can recognize if you've taken a hard tumble and summon emergency services to your location — has saved lives. Whether you're into outdoor sports or accept the stairs regularly, there's no reason not to plow on Fall Detection.

Go to Settings > Autumn Detection and toggle Fall Detection on. Your Apple tree Sentry will warn you that if you're physically active, certain movements might trigger autumn detection alerts. In that example, you'll want to let your Apple Watch know y'all're OK and then it doesn't sound an warning and call for assist.

2. Apple Watch passcode

You'll exist prompted to create an Apple Watch passcode during prepare. Simply should yous create one? In most cases, we recommend protecting your smartwatch with a unique code. This will add a layer of security to major settings, and terminate someone else from resetting your spotter if y'all happen to lose information technology somewhere.

Y'all tin turn your passcode on or off at any fourth dimension by going to Settings > Passcode. Apple as well requires your Apple Scout to have a passcode if you want to have your Apple Wallet on your wrist. Since the Apple Lookout has an NFC chip, you tin utilize information technology to pay at any identify with contactless bank check out.

iii. Apple Wallet

Speaking of Apple Wallet, this is another feature you'll be asked to enable during ready. If you have any credit cards saved to the Apple Wallet on your connected iPhone, you'll be asked whether you desire to add them to your wrist for Apple Pay. You'll likely need to enter your credit bill of fare'due south CVV lawmaking, and your wallet might take a moment to verify your data with your card issuer.

In your Apple Wallet you can also hold store rewards cards, movie passes, plane tickets and more. In watchOS viii you lot tin add hotel room and other digital keys to your wrist besides. To add a card to your Apple Wallet, go to the Apple tree Wallet app on your smartwatch and click Add Card. You can add Previous Cards (one in your iPhone Apple tree Wallet,) Debit or Credit Card (new form of payment) or Transit Card (public transportation passes available in select markets.)

4. Always On display

Apple Watch 7 review watchOS 8 — (Image credit: Future)

With the exception of the Apple Watch SE, every Apple Watch since the Apple Lookout man 5 has offered an Always On display mode. If your Apple tree Sentinel supports this feature, you'll be prompted to enable Always On display when yous gear up your sentinel.

While the setting is convenient for seeing your complications at a glance, y'all might not desire your wrist lit upward all the time. You as well might want to extend your Apple Watch's expected 18-hour bombardment life. In that case, disabling Always On display could be a smart move for you lot.

On your Apple Watch, go to Settings > Display & Effulgence > Always On. Toggle Always On off or on, depending on which way you prefer. You tin can customize which apps or information you want to see when your wrist is downwards, too.

5. Noise alerts

Apple Watch 7 tips - Noise notifications — (Image credit: Future)

Enabling Noise notifications will let your new Apple tree Watch warning you when sound levels in your surround or through your headphones could be harmful to your hearing. Your Apple tree Picket doesn't record loud sounds, but it does periodically measure the noise levels in decibels around you using the Apple tree Watch's microphone.

Go to Settings > Noise and toggle on Ecology Audio Measurements to enable Racket notifications. You can also assign a decibel threshold that sends you an alert when the dissonance level in your surroundings reaches a certain summit. Co-ordinate to the CDC, repeated, long-term exposure to noises above seventy decibels may cause permanent damage. We recommend using Noise notifications so you're in tune with the sounds around you lot — and how they might be impacting your hearing.

vi. Sleep tracking

Apple Watch sleep tracking — (Image credit: Hereafter)

Apple Watch slumber tracking isn't as sophisticated sleep tracking on the all-time Fitbit and best Garmin watches, but it'south a useful tool for keeping a regular slumber schedule. It requires wearing your new Apple Lookout overnight and then information technology can encounter when you're awake versus asleep, and cheque your respiratory rate.

You'll desire to create a Wind Downward routine for complete upshot, allowing your Apple Lookout man, as well equally your iPhone, to alert yous when you should start getting ready for bed in order to run across your sleep goals. You can even enable charging reminders to ensure your smartwatch will brand it through the dark.

Get to Settings > Slumber and roll down until y'all see Sleep Tracking and Charging Reminder toggles. Turn both on to enable slumber tracking on your new Apple tree Lookout.

7. Find Devices

Apple Watch Find Devices — (Image credit: Future)

Some other Apple Watch characteristic that doesn't come automatically enabled is Find Devices. This app is new with watchOS 8, and is ane of the more effective means to never lose your iPhone once again. In the Find Devices app, you can set Notify When Left Backside alerts that tell you lot when you lot've forgotten one of your Apple products somewhere.

You lot can use the app to locate any of your devices and become directions to them. It's an effective way to track down lost AirPods, for example. And if you have an Apple AirTag fastened to your bag or other personal item, you can exist led to information technology, too.

Open the Notice Devices app on your new Apple Sentry. You'll be asked to permit Notice Devices to employ your location. Click the "While Using the App" setting to enable Find Devices.

Kate Kozuch is a senior author at Tom'south Guide roofing wearables, TVs and everything smart-domicile related. When she's non in cyborg style, you can find her on an practise cycle or channeling her inner celebrity chef. She and her robot army will rule the world ane day, merely until then, reach her at kate.kozuch@futurenet.com.