How to use your Apple Watch
Learn how to use the Digital Crown, side button, and gestures.
Press or rotate the Digital Crown
Press the side button
- Press to show or hide the Dock.
- Press and hold to use SOS.
- Double-click to use Apple Pay.
- Press and hold to turn your watch on or off.
Remove your Apple Watch band
You can find the band release buttons on the back of your watch.
Learn how to remove your Apple Watch band.
Peek at your Apple Watch screen
With Apple Watch Series 2 or later, you can gradually wake your screen to keep its brightness low. For example, you might want to glance at the screen in a movie theater.
Turn the Digital Crown slowly to gradually wake the screen, then turn it the other way to put the screen back to sleep.
Use gestures
You can use several gestures to interact with your Apple Watch. When you touch the screen, your watch uses Force Touch technology to sense how hard you press.
Press
Firmly press the screen to change the watch face, see options in an app, and more.
Tap
Tap the screen to select a button or item.
Drag
Drag your finger across the screen to scroll or adjust a slider.
Swipe
Swipe up, down, left, or right to see different screens.
* Available on Apple Watch Series 2 or later only. Apple Watch Series 1 and Apple Watch (1st generation) aren't suitable for swimming. Learn about water resistance on your Apple Watch.
