Did you just get or buy an Apple Watch? Then there is a strong urge to immediately open the package and test it. There are a few steps to follow before you get started, and to guide you through those steps, we’ve put this article together, so you can start using your new Apple Watch in the best way.
Below we’ll walk you through the installation process and give you tips on the best way to use it. It’s relatively simple, but there are a few things that are worth knowing and researching.
No matter what Apple Watch you have, from the latest Apple Watch 7 Via the most wallet-friendly Apple Watch SE To the older generations who Apple Watch 3 So the process is relatively similar.
Just remember that you will need an iPhone to be able to repair your Apple Watch and it is highly recommended that you make sure that you are running the latest version of iOS before we begin.
Before you start your Apple Watch
Resist the urge to start your new Apple Watch right away. Before you begin everything, make sure you choose a bracelet that fits you well. Otherwise, on the underside of the Apple Watch, you’ll find two indents next to the bracelet bracket.
These two indents are intended to release the bracelet from its holder, so you can unscrew it and pull it to the side to remove it. In the case of your Apple Watch, you’ll find two lengths of band, if you’re not quite sure which one you need, feel free to try both to see what fits your wrist best.
Then place your Apple Watch on a flat surface to make it easier to sync with your iPhone, and avoid manual pairing as much as possible. Make sure your iPhone has Bluetooth turned on and connected to wifi or mobile data before you begin.
On the side of the watch, you’ll find a flat rectangular button that you use to start your Apple Watch, among other things. Press and hold until it vibrates and displays the home screen. Place the iPhone near the Apple Watch and wait for the pairing screen to appear on the iPhone, then click Continue.
If that doesn’t work, you can manually open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and tap Pair New Watch.
The next step is to tap “Set for myself” (assuming you shouldn’t have the watch and no one else) and when the app tells you to, position your Apple Watch so it fits into the camera bar in the Apple Watch app on your device. Iphone. This allows the watch and phone to connect.
If this is your first Apple Watch, choose to set it as a new Apple Watch and if you already have one, you’ll be able to restore a backup to continue where you were.
You may be asked to update watchOS to the latest version, if a new version has been added since the watch was manufactured.
After that, you can read and accept the legal terms and possibly sign in with your Apple ID, although it’s possible to put it off later with some limited functionality as a result.
You will also be asked to turn on Activation Lock if the Search feature is not turned on on your iPhone.
Then, you will have the opportunity to make a number of settings, including choosing which ones you want to share with your iPhone. If you activate certain functions on your iPhone, such as the “Find” function or location services, they are automatically activated on your Apple Watch as well.
For older models, you may have to specify which wrist your watch is wearing during activation. It doesn’t affect the direction in which the display is turned, this is done separately, but it does affect how the watch senses how the lever is raised and thus decides whether or not to turn the display.
If you are not sure, you can always correct the settings via the Apple Watch app on your iPhone in a later mode.
For security, if your watch is lost or stolen, you will also have the opportunity to set a lock code. Your Apple Watch uses sensors on the back to determine when to take it off, after which a code must be entered to unlock the device.
You don’t have to set a lock code now, but we highly recommend that you do. If you want to use Apple Pay on the watch, this is absolutely mandatory.
By default, a four-digit code is used, but if you like, you can also enter up to ten numbers instead. The past is hard to guess, but probably only necessary for a few.
Protection and additional features
On the security front, you can also set your Apple Watch to delete itself after entering ten incorrect codes. This is done after installation via “Settings”, “Password” and “Delete data”.
Back in the other settings, now it’s time to set up Apple Pay and other features like automatic updates, Activity, and model variants with SIM and mobile network. Follow the instructions on your Apple Watch for all of this and skip anything irrelevant or interesting to you.
You will also be asked if you want to install all available apps from your iPhone, but we think it’s best to do it manually at a later stage partly to speed up the process, partly because you may not want or need exactly all the apps found in your iPhone your iPhone.
Finally, your Apple Watch syncs with your iPhone and once this is ready (it usually takes a few minutes) it’s completely ready to use. Put your watch on, tap on the screen and enter your lock code. When you raise your arm now, the screen should come to life.
Set the home screen
If you did not install all the available apps from your iPhone during activation, you can now manually select the apps you want to add.
Select Available Apps in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and select the apps you want to install on your watch.
Apps can be moved and third-party apps uninstalled directly from the Apple Watch home screen. Touch and hold the app icon, then Edit apps. Now you can move apps and delete apps you don’t want while leaving the X button that appears on the icon.
However, it is easier to navigate between apps via the Watch app on your iPhone. To do this, go to the tab “My Watch”, “View Application” and then “Setting”. You can now easily move and drag apps across the screen on your iPhone so that the layout fits you better.
What settings should be changed immediately?
The Apple Watch is a more complex device than you might think, with a huge amount of settings scattered across different regions.
There are two different options for changing settings, partly via Settings right in your Apple Watch, where you’ll find the basic and most important settings to change.
The second option is via the Watch app on your iPhone, where you can find everything from the watch and more, making this the best place to start.
Restrict notifications
Getting too many notifications on your Apple Watch can quickly become a burden. Slow down a bit by going to Notifications in the Watch app on your iPhone. From here you can control which apps are allowed to display notifications and in some cases what are allowed to display them. Different apps offer different levels of detail, but all of them at least have the basis of choosing between “Reverse iPhone” or customizing in more detail.
If you select the first option, a summary will be shown below and to adjust this, you have to go to the settings on your iPhone and adjust the behavior of the note there.
Customize notifications
Click Custom to specify how the apps notification on your Apple Watch is handled. Three options are available, ‘Allow notifications’, ‘Send to notification center’ and ‘Turn off notifications’.
Allow Notifications means that notifications appear in Notification Center and your Apple Watch tells you. Send to Notification Center sends notifications right there, but without telling you and Notifications Off unexpectedly closes notifications completely for that app.
Some apps have more complex settings. The Activity app for example gives you the opportunity to control whether you want to be reminded to get up regularly, daily training tips and whether you meet the day’s goals or face special challenges.
Get rid of the red dot
If you have notifications that you haven’t ignored, a red dot will appear at the top of your Apple Watch screen. Turn off the Notification Indicator in the Notification settings in the Watch app on your iPhone if you find this annoying.
reduce transparency
Although the Apple Watch’s relatively small screen makes it relatively privacy-friendly at first, you may still want to make the situation better. Under the Notifications settings in the Watch app, you will find the option to “Show summary on lock screen” or not.
If you turn this off, only the notification type and sender will be shown instead of more detailed information.
Check for updates
An important feature of the Apple Watch is the ability to check for software updates. You can find it under Settings, General, and Software Update either on your Apple Watch (may be model dependent) or in the Watch app on your iPhone. If there is a new version of watchOS, it is best to update to it.
To do this, your Apple Watch must be on a charger and have at least 50% battery. The latest version at the time of writing is watchOS 8.3 and all but the first two models should be able to update to this version.
If you’re buying an Apple Watch today, it’s likely an Apple Watch 3 or later.
Automatic installation of applications
So that you don’t have to remember to install new apps manually, you can activate Automatic App Install via the Watch app on your iPhone, if it isn’t already activated.
This way, you automatically get the Watch app if it’s available, as soon as you install a new app on your iPhone.
Check storage space
Older Apple Watch models only offered 8GB of storage and it fills up quickly as you only have 5.9GB available. The Series 4 has 16GB of storage while the Series 5 and newer has 32GB of built-in storage, which obviously leaves more room for apps and media files. If you want to see what’s taking up space, do so via Settings, General, and About.
fast forward
If you want to set the watch to appear a little later, you can do so via Settings on your Apple Watch, then “Clock” and tap where +0 minutes appear. Then rotate the Digital Crown to change the distance the time should be pre-displayed on the dial.
Note that this only affects the display of the time on the disk, not any time-related notifications.
Find your iPhone
Not a position per se, but still worth knowing. If you have put down your iPhone, Apple Watch can help you. Open Find Devices on your Apple Watch and tap the device you lost, then tap Play Audio to start playing the audio for that device and help you find it again.
You can also show the device’s location on the map, if the app can determine its location.
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