Designed to function smoothly with other Apple gadgets like the iPhone, an Apple Watch is arguably the most popular smartwatch in the U.S. market. And what’s surprising is that many people using the Apple Watch don’t really understand everything it can do! Most people don’t even know the Digital Crown can do other clever things.
Press and hold the Digital Crown to use Siri, single-click it to view the Home screen, and double-press it to access the last used app. When viewing all of the apps on your Apple Watch, use the Digital Crown to zoom in or out, and adjust the volume while playing music.
So, you can do a lot of things with the Digital Crown on the Apple Watch. And it’s a good way of not picking up your phone every ten minutes. But what is it exactly? And how much can be done with it? Well, read on to find out!
What’s the Digital Crown on Apple Watch?
Digital Crown refers to the protruding button on the side of your Apple watch. It’s Apple’s answer to the rotating Crown found on traditional watches.
Historically, the wristwatch uses the Crown to set time and date and to wind the mainspring to ensure the watch runs smoothly.
This mechanism is a valuable interaction feature on your watch that you can spin, press, or long-press to achieve different outcomes.
Navigate Apps and Home Screen
Get to your Apple Watch home screen with a single click using the Digital Crown. This feature acts as home screen access on your watch.
After getting to the home screen using the Digital Crown, you can return to the center app with a single click.
When at the Center app (your clock app), rotate the button upward to navigate to the watch face. Click the Digital Crown a third time to get to the watch face.
How to Return to the Last App Used
Whether you’re checking a message or looking at your calendar, you can quickly return to the last app used by clicking the Digital Crown twice.
Switch between two apps smoothly by double-clicking the Digital Crown button each time. Also, double-click this button to switch between the watch face and the messages app.
How to Open an App
When on your home screen, center on an app and quickly rotate the digital crown button upward to open the app. The digital crown button helps you avoid tapping on the wrong icon.
Taking a Screenshot
Similar to capturing what’s on display on your iPhone, you’ll have to press two buttons at ago on your Apple Watch to take a screenshot.
Take a screenshot by briefly pressing down the Digital Crown and the side button at the same time. If this doesn’t work, hold the side button down first and press and release the Digital Crown.
Activating Voiceover
Activate your Apple Watch voiceover by triple-clicking the Digital Crown. When active, a chime will be followed by Siri announcing ”Voiceover on.” Once the Voiceover is active, tap on any icon on the screen to have it read to you.
Controlling Workout App
If the workout app is active on your Apple Watch, you can control it using the Digital Crown aided by the side button.
Pause or resume your fitness app by pressing the Digital Crown and side button at once. However, your watch will take a screenshot every time you do this.
Zoom in and Out
Zoom in and out on your Apple Watch by tapping your display twice with two fingers. If your apps are scattered over the home screen, you can rotate the Digital Crown clockwise or counter-clockwise to zoom in and out.
Activate Siri
Another way of activating Siri is by holding down the Digital Crown until you receive the prompt ”What can I help you with?” A tap will accompany this prompt on your wrist to let you know that Siri is listening.
Power On and Off
Restart your Apple Watch using the Digital Crown button. Hold this button until you see power options prompting you to lock the device, activate the power reserve, or turn off the device. Once these options appear, slide the bar to turn off your device.
To start your watch again, press the Crown until the Apple logo pops up.
Expel Water from Your Device
Use the Digital Crown button to eject water manually from your Apple Watch to prevent water from remaining in your watch for long periods.
While turning the Digital Crown to eject water, you’ll hear a series of sounds that play to clear water in your speakers. Once complete, you can use your device as usual.