Skip to main content

How to make instant sense of the Apple Watch user interface when yours arrives

There are a whole bunch of ways to help you get to grips with the Apple Watch user-interface, from online videos to in-store workshops to personal setup to comprehensive flow charts to the full user guide. But having had mine for a few days, I thought I’d put together the instant overview I wished I’d had on day one.

I’m not attempting to cover everything the watch can do, or anything close to it – merely give you the 1-minute overview of where you find things so you’ll be up-and-running as quickly as possible when you take delivery of your watch … 

This is, obviously, the watch face. If you choose one with complications – info fields – then you can tap those fields directly to open the corresponding app. For example, tap the activity rings top-left, and it will open the activity app.

Swipe down on the watch-face to see your notifications, exactly as you do on your iPhone. You can also scroll them with your finger exactly as on the iPhone, but as this covers the screen it’s better to use the Digital Crown to scroll. Tap a notification to open it and get options (for example, replying to a message).

Swipe up for what Apple calls ‘Glances’ – effectively just a name for the apps you use most often. You can think of this like double-clicking the Home button on an iPhone to show recently used apps. Just like on the iPhone, you swipe left or right between them and tap one to open it. When you launch an app, available actions are usually swipe left or right between screens, and scroll up and down the screens using the Digital Crown.

Which brings us to the physical buttons, starting with the Digital Crown.

On the watch face, pressing this takes you to your home screen – the full set of apps. If you are in an app, it becomes an escape key, returning you to the watch face. Finally, long-hold it for Siri – exactly as you would the home button on your iPhone.

The second button is mostly used to open your favorite contacts. The digital Crown scrolls around them, then tap when the contact you want is display. You then get buttons to call, message or Digital Touch (if they have an Apple Watch).

Obviously there’s way more you can do, but with that intro, you’ll be up-and-running soon as your Apple Watch is paired and ready to roll. Here’s a summary:

Hope you find it helpful. After my first impressions and halfway-point Apple Watch diaries, I’ll be writing the third and final one on Thursday.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

  1. duepeak07 - 9 years ago

    Just as an aside, you can also swipe away watch faces that you don’t want in the line-up. Just swipe up on the watch face in the choosing screen like you would an app on the iPhone in multitasking, then tap delete. Lets you get rid of faces your aren’t ever going to use. :)

    • Ben Lovejoy - 9 years ago

      Yes, indeed. Mr M Mouse was rapidly removed from mine!

      • duepeak07 - 9 years ago

        Haha, mine too.

      • peteostro - 9 years ago

        Wait Gazoo Bee your getting an apple watch?? holly crap, then end is near!

      • Graham J - 9 years ago

        Ditto. I can’t imagine why they included it.

  2. I don’t know if this blog post is a gift from a soon to be previous owner of an Apple Watch.

  3. TechSHIZZLE.com - 9 years ago

    Despite what some “reviewers” say, the UI becomes second nature within a day or two. There are some analogs to the iPhone UI, but this is a different device that requires some different gestures.

    I had to force myself to use the digital crown for scrolling (as opposed to swiping up or down on the screen) the first few times I used it, and now I can’t imagine NOT having the digital crown for UI interaction.

    Follow Ben’s tips here and you’ll know 90% of what you need to know to use the Watch proficiently.

    • Ben Lovejoy - 9 years ago

      Yes, like you I had to stop myself scrolling with my finger, but it soon becomes automatic as you say.

  4. philboogie - 9 years ago

    This article will be greatly appreciated by many Apple Watch owners, and will no doubt attract more traffic to the site.

    I look forward to the next diary article, and already knowing it’ll be the last.

    • philboogie - 9 years ago

      “…unfortunately knowing it’ll be the last”

      Darn aurocorrupt. My next iPad will be one with OSX – a MacBook.

  5. John Gill - 9 years ago

    Ben, how difficult or exaggerated of an arm swing or movement have you found you need to make to have the watch turn on?

  6. lincolnsills - 9 years ago

    Thank you for taking the time required to make this. Very helpful

Author

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


Ben Lovejoy's favorite gear