In this article, we have listed 22 other features and enhancements in Apple's new smartwatch software, many of which may have been overlooked by you. Note that watchOS 10 requires Apple Watch Series 4 or later, and iPhone XS or later with iOS 17.
Automatic night mode
On Apple Watch Ultra models, watchOS 10 brings a new modular Ultra watch face that supports night mode, just like the Wayfinder watch face. Night mode places a red filter on the display, which previously could only be activated manually by turning the Digital Crown.
Automatic night mode
However, in watchOS 10, both watch faces have a night mode setting in the watch face edit screen that lets you set it to auto or on/off. Under the automatic setting, night mode will automatically activate in low-light conditions, such as when your sleeve covers your watch or when you are looking at it in a dark room. Note that turning the Digital Crown no longer works, as this now brings up the new widget stack.
Check the Control Center status
The small icon at the top of Control Center indicates the status of certain settings—for example, your Apple Watch is connected to a cellular network, apps are using your location, and features like Airplane Mode and Do Not Disturb are turned on.
Check the Control Center status
If you're not sure what the displayed status icon means, you can now tap on the icon for more information.
Set multiple timers
As with iPhones running iOS 17, you can set multiple concurrent timers on your Apple Watch and mark each timer to easily distinguish between them.
Set multiple timers
Open the Timer app, create and launch a timer, and tap the + button in the top right corner to return to the timer screen, where you can create and start another timer.
When multiple timers are counting down, you can use the Digital Crown to switch between timer displays or track them in the timer list. To assign a label such as Cupcake to a timer, use Siri. Hold up your Apple Watch, then say "Set a cupcake timer for 12 minutes."
Access the app switcher
In earlier versions of watchOS, you could access the Dock by pressing the side button, but in watchOS 10, this action has been reassigned to Control Center.
Access the app switcher
In fact, you can still access the Dock (now called the App Switcher) by double-tapping the Digital Crown. Turn the Digital Crown to scroll through apps, and most recently used apps appear in front of the Dock in the order they were last opened, and other apps appear behind the Dock. Apps that are currently running a session, such as a Maps navigation session or a workout session, appear first.
You can also remove an app from the app switcher: Rotate the Digital Crown to the app you want to remove, swipe left on the app, then tap X.
Adjust the flashlight
When the flashlight is activated, you can now adjust the brightness intensity by turning the Digital Crown up and down.
Adjust the flashlight
To turn on the flashlight, press the side button to open Control Center, then tap the Flashlight button. Don't forget, you can also swipe left to select a mode – a solid white light, a flashing white light, or a solid red light.
Set up target elevation alerts
In the Compass app, you can set a target elevation and receive alerts when that elevation is exceeded. The new alert options are designed to help you stay safe and remind you to rest and adapt while on the move.
Set up target elevation alerts
Open the Compass app, tap the Message (i) button, then tap Set Goal Reminder. Turn the Digital Crown to set your target altitude, then tap the Check button and you'll be alerted when the altitude is exceeded.
Gets the relative waypoint elevation
Each screen in the Compass app that displays the compass dial has a new "Elevation" button at the bottom of the display.
Gets the relative waypoint elevation
Tap on it and you'll get a similar 3D view of the waypoint elevation relative to the current elevation.
Browse waypoints
In watchOS 10, you can browse waypoints, including those you create in the Compass app and in the Guide in the Maps app.
Browse waypoints
In the Compass app, tap the Info (i) button, then tap Waypoint. Tap Compass Waypoints, and you'll see any waypoints you've created, as well as auto-generated waypoints, such as the location of your parked car and the last estimated location where cellular connectivity and Emergency SOS are available.
You can also tap a guide, such as My Places or a guide you created in the Maps app, to see those waypoints on the compass. Note that waypoints that are more than 50 miles away from you will not appear on the compass dial.
Find the iPhone with the route
The Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 share the same updated Ultra Wideband chip, like the iPhone 15 series, so if you have one of the latest Apple Watch models, you can use Exact Find iPhone 15 near you and get the exact route.
Find the iPhone with the route
On your Apple Watch, press the side button to bring up Control Center, then tap the Find iPhone button. Your iPhone will play a sound, and if your Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2 is in range, the screen will show the approximate heading and distance to your iPhone, and the size of the circle will increase to guide the movement in the right direction.
Look for hiking trails
In watchOS 10, you can use the Maps app to find and learn more about hiking trails, including details such as their name, length, maximum and minimum altitude, and distance from your current location to the nearest access point.
Look for hiking trails
In the Maps app, scroll to the area you want to search, tap the search button, then enter "track" in the input field. Nearby trail starts will appear as green dots that you can tap, and the trail's name will appear near the bottom of the display. You can also turn the Digital Crown to view nearby track results.
View offline maps
In iOS 17, Apple added the ability to download maps for offline use, allowing you to access turn-by-turn routes and information in selected areas even if you don't have a mobile network or Wi-Fi connection.
Offline Maps are automatically available on your Apple Watch when your iPhone is turned on and within Bluetooth range (about 33 feet (10 meters).
View the map walking radius
The Maps app now includes a new Walking Radius feature that shows you how long it takes to walk to nearby points of interest.
View the map walking radius
To change the radius, turn the Digital Crown. You can increase it to a maximum of 60 minutes of walking time. To change the radius unit to distance, touch and hold the map, scroll down, then tap Distance below Radius Units.
Share your location
Just like in iOS 17, you can now let others know your location by sharing your location in Messages, and it will be updated in real-time in conversations.
Share your location
To start a new message or open a conversation, tap the A button, then tap the Share Location button. You can then choose to display a real-time location that updates in real time (shared) or share a static location (tap the pin icon, then tap Send Location Map).
If you share your real-time location, you can share for an hour, until the end of the day, or indefinitely. To stop sharing your location, just tap the shared location, then tap Stop Sharing.
Start a Group FaceTime chat
In watchOS 10, you can now start a group FaceTime call to make an audio call directly on your Apple Watch.
Start a Group FaceTime chat
Open the Phone app on your Apple Watch, start a FaceTime audio call, then tap the ellipsis button and tap Add Contact to choose a contact. When someone joins the call, tap 2 Active, tap the + button, then choose a different contact.
Keep track of your state of mind
With the Mindfulness app on your Apple Watch, you can record your mood at different times of the day and enter your overall mood for the day.
Keep track of your state of mind
Tap Mindset, then tap Record How You Feel Right Now or Record How You Feel Overall Today. Turn the Digital Crown to indicate how you feel, then tap the checkmark button. You will then be asked to choose words that describe how you feel and what affects you the most.
Once you've documented your state of mind, you can compare it to other lifestyle factors in the Health app on your iPhone under Mental Health - > Mindset.
Record a video
On Apple Watch, in watchOS 10, you can record a video from your iPhone for the first time using the Camera Remote app.
Record a video
Just open the Camera Remote app, position your iPhone to frame your shot with Apple Watch as the viewfinder, turn the Digital Crown to zoom, then press and hold the shutter button to start recording video. Release the button to stop.
Add another AirPlay device
When controlling audio on an AirPlay device, such as HomePod, you can use the Now Playing app to switch to or add a different AirPlay device.
Add another AirPlay device
On the Now Playing screen, tap the ellipsis (three dots) button. Tap AirPlay, then tap the device to add it. You can also stop playing on any device by tapping on it.
Voice input
With Real-Time Voice accessibility, you can type and speak your words out loud on your Apple Watch, whether in person or over the phone and FaceTime audio calls. You can set up real-time voice on your Apple Watch by going to Settings > Accessibility > Live Voice, where you can choose which voice you want to use.
Voice input
Set up accessibility shortcuts (Settings -> Accessibility-> Accessibility Shortcuts >-Live Voice) that allows you to triple-click the Digital Crown and type what you want to read aloud.
Change your email signature
By default, messages you send from your Apple Watch are signed with Send from My Apple Watch. Before watchOS 10, you couldn't customize your email monitoring signature, but now you can.
Change your email signature
Open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, tap Mail, then tap Customize. Tap Signature, then create a new signature.
Share news stories
watchOS 10 introduces an option that can be downloaded on Apple News from the Apple Watch.
Share news stories
Open the News app on your watch, scroll to Stories, then tap it. Scroll down, tap the Share button, then choose a sharing option.
Search for your Apple Watch
For some time now, it has been possible to use the Apple Watch to perform a search operation on a misplaced iPhone. In iOS 17, if you forgot to put down your Apple Watch, you can now do the opposite and use your iPhone to search for your Apple Watch.
Search for your Apple Watch
Apple doesn't include the new Search My Watch button in the default Control Center set, but you can add it manually: Go to Settings -> Control Center, then under More Controls, tap the + button next to Search My Watch.
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