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Not able to play music with headphones

When I try to play music from my watch I can no longer control the volume on my watch. I cannot get around the 'to play music connect Bluetooth headphones to your Apple watch' Any help on how I can get around this would be appreciated.

Apple Watch Series 2, watchOS 4.2

Posted on Dec 11, 2017 9:39 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Dec 11, 2017 12:15 PM

Hi


Under watchOS 4.x, for controlling playback of music from your iPhone rather than the synced playlists on Apple Watch (for which Bluetooth headphones or a Bluetooth speaker are required), then - other than by using Siri - it is necessary to first start playback on your iPhone before being able to control playback on your Apple Watch.


When you are already playing supported audio on your iPhone (whether via the Music app or a third-party app), the Now Playing app is shown automatically in the Dock on your Apple Watch and can be used to control playback on your iPhone. However, unlike under prior versions of watchOS, those controls no longer include the ability to browse or select playlists via screen-based inputs.


Now Playing can be configured to be shown automatically on Apple Watch upon raising your wrist when playing supported media on your iPhone. This is the default setting. To turn this feature off or on:


On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch (tab) > General > Wake Screen > turn off Auto-Launch Audio Apps.


If desired, Now Playing can be added to the Dock permanently and/or added to a watch face as a complication.


Follow the instructions here:



If the Music and/or Now Playing apps do not offer all of the features that you would prefer, then you can submit a feature request to Apple here:


Feedback - Apple Watch - Apple

3 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Dec 11, 2017 12:15 PM in response to Charliemitz

Hi


Under watchOS 4.x, for controlling playback of music from your iPhone rather than the synced playlists on Apple Watch (for which Bluetooth headphones or a Bluetooth speaker are required), then - other than by using Siri - it is necessary to first start playback on your iPhone before being able to control playback on your Apple Watch.


When you are already playing supported audio on your iPhone (whether via the Music app or a third-party app), the Now Playing app is shown automatically in the Dock on your Apple Watch and can be used to control playback on your iPhone. However, unlike under prior versions of watchOS, those controls no longer include the ability to browse or select playlists via screen-based inputs.


Now Playing can be configured to be shown automatically on Apple Watch upon raising your wrist when playing supported media on your iPhone. This is the default setting. To turn this feature off or on:


On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch (tab) > General > Wake Screen > turn off Auto-Launch Audio Apps.


If desired, Now Playing can be added to the Dock permanently and/or added to a watch face as a complication.


Follow the instructions here:



If the Music and/or Now Playing apps do not offer all of the features that you would prefer, then you can submit a feature request to Apple here:


Feedback - Apple Watch - Apple

Dec 11, 2017 12:31 PM in response to Charliemitz

Hello thanks for the quick response. First off I appollgise that I missed out the 'out' which should have been without headphones.

That said, although in the past I could scroll through my entire library of music on my watch (2) and play whatever I needed. Now if I don't have wifi or a mobile signal I have to get up and grap the iPhone. This I believe is a retrograde step, as believe it or not not everybody has a wifi or mobile signal at all times. Whereas Bluetooth is an always there technology for those times you are out of contact with the vitual world. i may be lazy but believe me there are times when you don't want to get up and grap your phone to play another track.

Not able to play music with headphones

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