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Since updating to iOS 17 I cannot ping my phone using my watch. I used to be able to swipe up or down (I cannot remember) on my watch and there was a phone icon I could use to ping. Now it’s gone. 😢 HELP!
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPad, iPadOS 15
Hi AnanceRN,
It sounds like you're on watchOS 10, which has changed how Control Center is opened.
Press the side-button on your Apple Watch to open Control Center and ping your iPhone:
Hope this helps!
JenW_309 wrote:
My biggest issue with this is WHY CHANGE the way Control Centre is accessed in the first place!!??
Well, that has been answered at least a dozen times in the 9 pages of this thread that you didn’t read before posting.
But, repeating it again: Because by moving the Control Center to the Side button Apple was able to add additional functionality that wasn’t there previously, most noticeably the ability to open the Control Center regardless of what app was currently using the watch screen, such as Workouts, music control, timer, etc. The old way could only be used when no apps were in use and a watch face was displayed.
And it also freed up the swipe up feature to open the Stack of recently used apps, for a quick selection of an app.
Thanks! A heads up from Apple would’ve been helpful.
Super helpful- it was driving me crazy that I couldn’t find it!! Thx
jerryandjennifer wrote:
Mine just brings up the apps. I can not access control center. Not sure why they would change such a useful feather.😞
Then you are pressing the wrong button, or you are still on watchOS 9
The previous Control Center swipe-up has moved to a quick press and release of the flat oval side button
Use Control Center on Apple Watch - Apple Support
DO NOT hold the button, as that brings up Emergency services and the power off icon.
Control Center should then show you the iPhone ping icon (find my iPhone), Battery percentage, Flashlight, Water Lock, Airplane mode, Alarm silence, Theater mode, and all the other Control Center services.
An alternate way to get some of the Control Center services is:
“Hey Siri, find my iPhone”
“Hey Siri, Flashlight”
“Hey Siri, Battery”
“Hey Siri, Airplane mode”
Getting the press and release timing just right can be an issue. You can make it more reliable by changing:
Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed
“Side Button Click Speed” can adjust the press and release timing, so you get the Control Center display every time. Adjusting The “Side Button Click Speed” is also useful for Apple Pay’s double press and release. There is “Default” (sub second timing of needed), “Slow” (up to a second between press and release), and “Slowest” (up to 2 seconds between press and release). I like the “Slow” setting.
NOTE: Slow and Slowest settings do not mean you have to wait a full second or 2 seconds between press and release. It just means you do not need to be super fast.
Apple Watch -> Settings -> Accessibility -> AssistiveTouch can be used to access things like:
o Control Center
o Apple Pay
o Emergency Services and the Power Off icon (labeled “Hold Side Button”)
o and many other things...
Use AssistiveTouch on Apple Watch - Apple Support
WendiThomas wrote:
side button does not work
The previous Control Center swipe-up has moved to a quick press and release of the flat oval side button
Use Control Center on Apple Watch - Apple Support
DO NOT hold the button, as that brings up Emergency services and the power off icon.
Control Center should then show you the iPhone ping icon (find my iPhone), Battery percentage, Flashlight, Water Lock, Airplane mode, Alarm silence, Theater mode, and all the other Control Center services.
An alternate way to get some of the Control Center services is:
"Hey Siri, find my iPhone"
"Hey Siri, Flashlight"
"Hey Siri, Battery"
"Hey Siri, Airplane mode"
Getting the press and release timing just right can be an issue. You can make it more reliable by changing:
Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed
“Side Button Click Speed” can adjust the press and release timing, so you get the Control Center display every time. Adjusting The "Side Button Click Speed" is also useful for Apple Pay’s double press and release. There is “Default” (sub second timing of needed), “Slow” (up to a second between press and release), and “Slowest” (up to 2 seconds between press and release). I like the “Slow” setting.
NOTE: Slow and Slowest settings do not mean you have to wait a full second or 2 seconds between press and release. It just means you do not need to be super fast.
Apple Watch -> Settings -> Accessibility -> AssistiveTouch can be used to access things like:
o Control Center
o Apple Pay
o Emergency Services and the Power Off icon (labeled "Hold Side Button")
o and many other things...
Use AssistiveTouch on Apple Watch - Apple Support
Well, Apple does explain it in 2 places→What’s new in Apple Watch and watchOS 10 - Apple Support, see “New way to open Control Center…”, which also states the advantage. And also→watchOS 10 - Apple
LWalket wrote:
What app I find on my watch to ping my phone
Read the following link:
How to ping iPhone from Apple Watch - Apple Community
nadya71 wrote:
How to ping iPhone from I watch
Read the following link:
OMGitsSandi wrote:
Yes!! I literally stopped wearing my watch, this was my favorite thing about it!
Read the following link:
BobHarris wrote:
Read the following link:
How to ping iPhone from Apple Watch - Apple Community
Isn't that a link to this same thread? ;-) Of course, all the information is here in this thread!
abed124 wrote:
Yes Apple please get us back to ping our phone from the Apple Watch
This is a user-to-user technical support forum. You are not talking to Apple.
Please send your feedback to Apple at:
https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch
amfwilliams wrote:
My side button is broken and I can’t seem to get hand gestures to work either. Is there an option 3? 😅
Get your watch repaired:
Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple
Sarahbikerbabe wrote:
Why couldn’t they just leave well alone, if it ain’t broken why fix it - and make it harder!!!!!
No one here in this user-to-user forum can answer "why" Apple does or does not do what they do.
You can let them know your thoughts here:
Vandermommy wrote:
THANK YOU!!!! Not having the “ping option” was driving me crazy. It is found (with a side button I don’t even realize I had 😂)!
You may find this useful as well
What’s new in Apple Watch and watchOS 10 - Apple Support
MrsDimartino wrote:
They shouldn’t have moved it to begin with the update is trash
I happen to like it a lot and have told Apple so. You are also free to share your opinion with Apple here:
How to ping iPhone from Apple Watch
