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User profile for user: DocMic
DocMic Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Can quick actions on the Apple Watch be used to control the Keynote remote?

Hey all.


I would like to control the Keynote Remote on my Apple Watch using Quick Actions, instead of having to tap the watch screen. Is that possible?


Hardware: M1 MacBook Air, iPhone 14 Pro, Apple Watch 4 (with the Ultra ordered). I have no problems setting this up, so that the Apple Watch controls Keynote on the iPhone, which is running only as a remote control for the MacBook.


(As an aside, this works even while using the iPhone camera as a continuity camera for WebEx, which was a very positive surprise.)


Background: I give university lectures that take several (up to eight) hours. To keep both me and the students awake, I tend to move around and gesture a lot. So far, I use a simple bluetooth remote, which works ok, but means I always have one hand full, and also tends to blank the screen whenever I miss the correct button. Using the Apple Watch works, but to switch slides I need both hands (one to raise, one to touch the screen), interrupting my flow. It would be fun to be able to avoid any visible remote, switching slides with small hand gestures, but so far I have been unable to get that to work. Any tips?

Apple Watch Series 4, watchOS 9

Posted on Oct 29, 2022 2:22 AM

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User profile for user: ShannonM1
ShannonM1
User level: Community Specialist

Posted on Nov 1, 2022 7:37 AM

Understood DocMic,


At present, hand gestures are not recognized with Keynote. So you will have to use the controls on the Apple Watch itself. You can always submit feedback to Apple through Product Feedback - Apple.


Thanks for using Apple Support Communities!

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User profile for user: DerekM87
DerekM87
User level: Community Specialist

Oct 31, 2022 1:48 PM in response to DocMic

Hi DocMic,


You can control a Keynote presentation from your Apple Watch if specific requirements are met. See more info here: Use Keynote with your Apple Watch - Apple Support


"Control a Keynote presentation from your Apple Watch

Your Apple Watch can control a presentation on your iPhone if:

  • Your iPhone is connected to an external display using an adapter or AirPlay.
  • There are no presentation devices, such as your Mac or iPad, paired with Keynote for iOS on your iPhone.
  • You have a presentation open or already playing in Keynote for iOS on your iPhone.

You can also use your Apple Watch to control presentations on another device, such as your Mac, if: 

  • Keynote for iOS is open to the Keynote Remote screen.
  • There is a presentation device, such as your Mac or iPad, paired with Keynote for iOS on your iPhone, your iPhone isn't connected to an external display using an adapter or AirPlay, and you don't have a presentation open or playing in Keynote for iOS on your iPhone.

Learn how to pair a presentation device with Keynote for iOS on your iPhone.

Play a presentation or go to the next slide or build

When your Keynote presentation is ready, open the Keynote app on Apple Watch:

  • If you need to start the slideshow, you'll see the Play button Play button. Tap Play to start the presentation.
  • If the slideshow is playing, you'll see the Next button Next button. Tap Next to go to the next slide or build.

Go back or exit a presentation

Firmly press the screen to see these options:

  • Tap the Back button Back button to go to the previous slide or reset the builds on the current slide.
  • Tap the Exit button Exit button to end the slideshow.

If you select Back, you'll see both   and Next on your Apple Watch until you end the Keynote or your Apple Watch goes to sleep"


Cheers!

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User profile for user: DocMic
DocMic Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Nov 1, 2022 4:31 AM in response to DerekM87

Uh, yes, that is exactly what I have already done, and not at all what I asked about. As I wrote, I have paired the Watch with Keynote on the iPhone, and can use it to control the presentation, it‘s just that this is a clumsy way to switch slides.


My question is simply: Can I combine this with Quick Actions, where I use hand gestures (making a fist, tapping thumb against fingers…) to control the switches?

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Can quick actions on the Apple Watch be used to control the Keynote remote?

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