Apple Watch: How to enable and spice up watchOS 3 screenshots [Video]

Unlike previous versions of watchOS, the ability to take screenshots is disabled by default in watchOS 3. Screenshots are disabled due to the fact that the screenshot-taking shortcut overlaps functionality used by the Workout app.

In watchOS 3, it’s possible to stop and start in-progress workouts by pressing the Digital Crown and Side button simultaneously. It just so happens that this is the exact same gesture used to take Apple Watch screenshots.

To enable screenshots on your Apple Watch running watchOS 3, simply do the following:

Step 1: Launch the Watch app on your paired iPhone.

Step 2: On the My Watch tab go to General and turn on the Enable Screenshots switch.

Once enabled, you can now take screenshots by pressing the Digital Crown and Side button at the same time. Your Apple Watch screenshots are saved directly to the iPhone Camera Roll for easy retrieval.

Video walkthrough

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How to make Apple Watch screenshots look better

Apple Watch screenshots aren’t the most beautiful looking things in the world by default, but there are ways to make these screenshots look better. LongScreen ($2.99 on App Store) has long been my go-to app of choice for spiffying up iPhone and iPad screenshots, and the same principle applies to Apple Watch screenshots. This app is absolutely fundamental to my workflow, and comes with a sterling recommendation. Seriously, just buy LongScreen and thank me later.

Step 1: Launch LongScreen.

Step 2: Tap the Filter button in the upper left-hand corner and select your Apple Watch type (38 or 42mm).

Step 3: Select one or more Apple Watch screenshots. These screenshots can be grouped vertically or horizontally using the options at the top of the screen.

Step 4: Tap the Merge button in the upper right-hand corner

Step 5: Tap the magic wand button at the bottom of the screen, and enable the Rounded corner switch. Alternatively, you can select the Space Grey or Silver Apple Watch models for added flair.

Step 6: Tap the Share button in the bottom left-hand corner to save or export your screenshot.

For more details on the new Apple Watch, be sure to check out our hands-on unboxing of the Apple Watch Series 1 and Apple Watch Series 2. We also have a full walkthrough of all of the new watchOS 3 features.