If your Apple Watch’s screen freezes up, you’ll want to force restart/hard reset it.

If your Apple Watch, Apple Watch 2, Apple Watch 3, Apple Watch 4, Apple Watch 5, Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch SE 2, Apple Watch 6,  Apple Watch 7, Apple Watch 8, or Apple Watch Ultra suddenly won’t respond to touches and swipes, the first thing you should try is a simple restart. Often times, restarting the watch will fix the issue.

If your Apple Watch won’t restart normally, or if it continues to lock up and freeze after powering it off and on, you’ll want to a force it to restart. This is also known as a hard reset.

This is an easy method that only takes a few seconds. Keep in mind, this won’t impact your Apple Watch’s data. It simply restarts the watch.

Apple says you shouldn’t force restart your Apple Watch while updating it with new watchOS software. Instead, after you see the Apple logo and the progress wheel, you’ll want to leave your watch alone and on its charger until the installation process finishes up.

If you’ve owned an Apple Watch for a while you probably know how to restart the device while it’s operating normally. If you don’t here’s a quick reminder:

1. Press and hold the side button until the screen tells you to Power Off the device.
2. Use your finger to drag the Power Off slider.
3. Once your Apple Watch turns off you’ll want to press and hold the side button until your Apple Watch turns back on.

If this doesn’t work, move onto the steps below.

How to Hard Reset Apple Watch

To force restart an Apple Watch you just need to do two things.

Press and hold these two Buttons to hard reset the Apple Watch

1. Hold down the side button and Digital Crown at the same time. The Digital Crown is the rotating button located on the side of the device.
2. Keep holding these two buttons down until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.

Once your Apple Watch reboots, you’ll be prompted to input your passcode if you have one. If you’re prone to forgetting your passcode, make sure you have it handy before you start this process.

If you do happen to forget your passcode, you’ll need to erase the device via the Watch app on your iPhone and restore it from a backup.

Your Apple Watch shouldn’t freeze on a regular basis. If this frequently starts to happen on your Apple Watch, you’ll want to investigate other fixes such as updating its software, updating your iPhone to the latest version of iOS, or setting it up from scratch again.

If the Apple Watch keeps freezing, you’ll need to get in touch with Apple support and see if they have a remedy.

Wait for Better Performance

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Apple generally makes yearly improvements to the Apple Watch's performance and we should see the company make some improvements this year. The current flagship Apple Watch models deliver solid battery life, but we could see Apple take things even further with new chips in 2023.  According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, while the 2023 Apple Watch models will likely be modest updates, they will have a faster chip on board. As he notes, Apple hasn't upgraded the main processor inside the Apple Watch for three years running so this would certainly be a welcomed change.  In his new Power On Discord channel, Gurman says the new processor will likely be based on the A15 chip that Apple first used in the iPhone 13.  If you aren't thrilled with the Apple Watch's current horsepower (battery life, speed, load times), you might want to hang back and wait for the new models.

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How to Force Restart or Hard Reset Apple Watch is a post by Adam Mills from Gotta Be Mobile.

Right out of the box, an Apple Watch can help keep you healthy, deliver notifications, make calls, send texts, run simple apps, and even save your life. But the real magic happens when you install apps and personalize your Apple Watch to help you achieve exactly what you hope to do in any given day.

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly what the Apple Watch can do in a variety of settings. Some of them may sound obvious to long-time Apple Watch users, but we promise there are some cool things listed below that you’ve never tried since the Apple Watch and WatchOS are constantly evolving.

Almost all recent Apple Watch models can do everything listed below, but some of the features are exclusive to more recent Apple Watch models. If you are using an Apple Watch that’s a few years old and want to be able to do everything listed in this guide, you may need to upgrade to the newest Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch 8, or Apple Watch Ultra.

The Apple Watch is more than a miniaturized iPhone on your wrist. When you understand what you can do with the Apple Watch it becomes an amazing tool to help you get through your day, be more productive, lose weight, and even save money.

Your Apple Watch can do more than anyone likely needs. But just about everyone should get to know the basic Apple Watch features that are at its core. However, a lot of people don’t make use of the Apple Watch’s best features. This Apple Watch series aren’t the only watches that connect to the iPhone, but they are the best for most people. 

What Can the Apple Watch Do with watchOS 9?

With watchOS 9, there are more workout views, a new compass layout, improved medications reminders, better sleep tracking, and more dynamic watch faces. These, combined with many other watchOS 9 features, means you can do more with your Apple Watch than ever, and rely less on your iPhone. That’s important for those that aren’t allowed to or aren’t able to pull out their iPhones whenever they choose. There are more details within each of the sections below.

Communicating Quickly

1.) Answer Calls on the Apple Watch: 

You can answer phone calls on your Apple Watch, using it as a small Bluetooth speakerphone. There’s no need to pull out your iPhone for shorter calls thanks to the Apple Watch’s built-in microphone and speaker. Just keep in mind that those nearby may be able to hear your caller and the speakerphone on the Apple Watch isn’t nearly as loud as the iPhone’s. 

You can also use your Apple Watch to quickly let callers know that you can’t talk at the moment by tapping one of your pre-set replies, such as “Sorry, I can’t talk right now.”

2.) Place Calls from Your Apple Watch  

You can place calls from your Apple Watch in a flash. All you have to do is hold the Apple Watch’s crown down to activate Siri and ask your watch to call a contact. If you are dialing a number that isn’t in your contact list, then you can also tap it into your Apple Watch using an on-screen keypad. 

If you have an Apple Watch GPS + Cellular, you can make or receive calls on your Apple Watch, even when your  iPhone isn’t nearby. This requires adding the watch to your plan for about $10 per month with your wireless carrier. The Apple Watch Ultra comes with the cellular feature baked in. If you want to make calls from other models, you need to plan ahead and make sure you buy a cellular model as there’s no way to upgrade down the road. 

3.) Call 911 in Two Steps

In an emergency, the Apple Watch makes it fast and easy to call for help. All you need to do is hold down the side button for a few seconds until three options pop up. Sliding the SOS icon to the right will activate an emergency call. Regardless of where in the world you are, the Apple Watch will call the appropriate phone number for emergency services. While you may be used to dialing 911, the Apple Watch is smart enough to dial the proper number and even key in any confirmation number local authorities require. 

4.) View and Reply to Texts and iMessages on Your Wrist

Text messages and iMessages instantly appear on your wrist so you don’t have to take your phone out of your pocket. You can also reply quickly with canned messages, emojis, Siri or by scribbling letter by letter what you want to say. The canned messages often pick up on the context of a text so that you can tap on an option that someone gives you. 

You can also see recent conversations in the Messages app on the Apple Watch. This works with both iMessages and text messages. 

5). Send Facebook Messages 

Facebook Messenger is a popular app for staying in touch with family, friends and groups. You can receive Facebook Messages on your Apple Watch and even reply with with text, emoji, a thumbs up, your location or a custom message using the microphone to dictate. If you rely on Facebook Messages to stay in touch, this is an awesome feature. Facebook Messenger supports the scribble reply feature so you can reply even when you can’t talk. 

6) Use the Apple Watch as a Translator

You can use your Apple Watch as a translator so that you can talk with people you don’t share a common language with. There is even an offline mode to use when you are traveling and don’t have a cellular connection. 

iTranslate is a free app that offers in-app purchases to unlock some additional features. The app allows you to translate between more than 100 languages. The app translates quickly and allows the person you’re communicating with to read what you said in their native language. There’s also an option to have the Apple Watch speak the translations out loud. 

7. Apple Watches Can be Walkie Talkies

You can use your Apple Watch as a walkie talkie to communicate with friends and families when you are out and about. The Walkie Talkie app on the Apple Watch allows you to send audio messages that automatically play when the recipients are marked as available.  This allows you to quickly chat back and forth with friends during the day or connect with them when you are at an event like a concert easily. Some people use this feature like an intercom at home.  

8. Check Your Email 

Is your email app your second home? If so, the Apple Watch will either be the best thing to happen or a gateway to checking your email even more often. You can get Mail notifications on your wrist, read flag, delete and easily open on the iPhone for a longer reply. This works inside the Mail app for iPhone. 

There isn’t a Gmail app for Apple Watch, but you can get Gmail notifications. You won’t necessarily get a notification for each and every email that comes in, but it will mirror what you see on your iPhone. 

9. Send Memojis on Apple Watch

You can send Memojis from your Apple Watch, as well as standard emoji. You can’t animate the Memoji or make a specific face like you can on the iPhone, but you can send the Memoji that are standard on the iPhone from your watch. 

10. Send Apple Watch Drawings to Friends

You can sketch out a small drawing with your finger on your Apple Watch and send it to a friend’s Apple Watch. The only limits are your imagination, artistic skill, and of course the screen size. The drawing will come across as an animated sketch and your friend can respond with another drawing. This drawings will also go directly to iPhones.  

11. Share Your Heartbeat

The Apple Watch can track your heart rate for fitness activities, but that’s not all the sensors can do. You can share your heartbeat with a loved one as a message.  When you do this a small animation shows on-screen to show your heartbeat directly to another Apple watch. Apple calls this, “a simple intimate way to tell someone how you feel.”

This isn’t something that most Apple Watch users will use often, but it’s a cool way to send a message to someone you love to let them know you are thinking about them. 

Apple Watch Can Help Keep You Healthy and Safe

1. Monitor Safe Hearing Levels

The Apple Watch comes with a noise app that tracks how loud your environment is. This allows you to know if you are in a setting where audio is at a dangerous level so you can get hearing protection or move away from the loud sources of noise. You can expect to get alerts in loud environments like constructions sites, rock concerts, and fireworks shows.  You will also see alerts for things you might not think will damage your hearing, such as sustained noise at volumes that aren’t as jarring. 

2. Check and Track Blood Oxygen Levels

The Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, and Ultra include a sensor that tracks your blood oxygen levels. This is especially useful for those who need to monitor their blood oxygen levels due to illnesses such as Asthma, Influenza, and COVID-19.  

The more recent Apple Watches will take blood oxygen level readings throughout the day, which means you can instantly see your most recent reading on your Apple Watch’s Blood Oxygen app. If you want a current blood oxygen level reading it 15 seconds to take a new one.  You can see a running history of your blood oxygen levels in your iPhone’s Health app.

3. Monitor Your Heart Rate

The Apple Watch heart rate monitor is credited with saving the life of a teen and of a 62 year old.

The Apple Watch uses sensors on the back of the Apple Watch to check your heart rate automatically throughout the day. Your current heart rate, resting heart rate, and walking average are all instantly viewable on your Apple Watch by tapping the Heart Rate app. Your heart rate data is stored in the Apple Health app on your iPhone so you can look at trends and see more details.

 When you are exercising, you can see the heart rate at all times on your Apple Watch if you start a workout. 

4. Take an Electrocardiogram (ECG)

The Apple Watch Series 4 and newer (except SE models) can take Electrocardiograms (ECG) to detect your heart health. An ECG used to be something that required a visit to a medical provider, but you can now check your heart’s rhythm in just 30 seconds with your Apple Watch. All you need to do is launch the ECG app and hold your finger to the Digital Crown. When the scan is done it will show you whether your heart shows signs of arterial fibrulation (afib). 

5. Track Your Fitness

The Apple Watch uses various sensors to monitor your movement and track your progress towards healthy goals that the Apple Watch or an Apple Watch app will help you set.

You can see this progress across three categories; movement, exercise and time spent standing. Movement measures calories burned, exercise is when you hit 30 minutes of exercise in a day, and the stand section aims to make you less sedentary. The watch will alert you to stand up if you sit for too long and nudge you towards movement and exercise goals. 

You can adjust your move goal by pressing hard on the screen when in the Activity App. You can also see the fitness information on your iPhone in the Health app.

6. Track Your Runs

The Apple Watch can use its built-in GPS to track where you runs, even if you don’t bring your iPhone with you. You can view your detailed runs on a map on your iPhone after your run so you can decide if you want to repeat the route in the future or not. 

7. Track Your Cycle

You can easily track your cycle and get alerts on your Apple Watch. The app uses information you enter on your last period  to help predict the start of your next period. 

You can see this information on your Apple Watch and log flow as well as symptoms of your period.

8. Track Your Sleep

All recent Apple Watch models include built-in sleep tracking features that make sure you get to bed on time, wake up on time, and help improve your quality of sleep. All you need to do is enter some basic info in the Sleep app and wear your Apple Watch to sleep.  The Apple Watch will track how much time you spend in each stage of sleep and at what time you hit each stage. 

Use the Apple Watch to Get Around

1. Use the Apple Watch as a Compass

Select Watch Faces and  the standalone Compass app is a standalone app can show you the which way you’re facing, the incline, elevation and your latitude and longitude. This is a cool feature to try at least a few times, especially if you’re directionally challenged. For more complicated navigation, there are countless watch apps that use the Apple Watch Compass to assist you navigate on land, water, or even sky. 

2. Use the Apple Watch as a Car Key

You can use your Apple Watch  as a key for most newer BMWs and select Hyundai and KIA models.  That means you can open your cars’ doors and start the ignition by just tapping on your watch’s side button a couple of times.  Almost all BMW models built since July 2020 support the Apple key feature, with Hyundai and Kia compatibility much more limited. 

Apple Watch Productivity Features

1. Use Your Apple Watch as a Calculator

The Apple Watch can be used as a calculator through Siri or the calculator app. The built-in app can help you solve basic math problems and settle restaurant bills. The Apple Watch calculator app has a TIP calculator that lets you put in the total due and adjust the percentage of tip you’d like to leave. It also gives you the option to select the number of people splitting the bill to give you a precise number for each person to pay. 

2. Record a Voice Memo or Conversation

You can use your Apple Watch to record a Voice Memo  with its built-in microphone. This means your Apple Watch can quickly record your thoughts before you forget them, important meetings and conversations without having to rely on your iPhone. All you need to do is open the app by selecting it from the app screen or by asking Siri to open the Voice Memos app. To start recording, all you need to do is tap the red button. Voice Memos are stored in iCloud and synced to your other Apple devices for playback and sharing.  

3. Unlock Your MacBook and Passwords

With Auto Unlock enabled on your MacBook, you can quickly unlock it while wearing your Apple Watch. That means you won’t need to type in your password every time your MacBook goes to sleep. You can also use your Apple Watch to automatically unlock your stored Passwords and password-protected Notes. 

Apple Watch Entertainment Features:

Listen to Podcasts on the Apple Watch:

Apple includes the Podcasts app on the Apple Watch. You can sync podcasts to the Apple Watch based on the ones you listen to on your iPhone when the watch is on its charger. If you are mobile you can stream the latest episodes on LTE or on WiFi.  You will to use your AirPods to listen as Podcasts won’t play back on the Apple Watch’s built-in speaker. 

Other Things the Apple Watch Can Do

1. Stay Quiet in a Movie Theater

You can tell your Apple Watch not to respond to hand movements while you are at the movies. This keeps your Apple Watch from lighting up when you move your arm. With this mode, the watch noises also stop, so you can enjoy the movie without disturbing others. You will still get notifications and the watch will vibrate so you know if something important is happening, it’s just less likely to annoy people around you. 

To enable this, just swipe up from the Apple Watch home screen, and you’ll see a pair of theater masks.  Tap on the masks to turn on Theater mode. When you are done, tap on it again to turn it off.   

2. Tell You The Time

There’s more than one way for the Apple Watch to tell you the time. While the most obvious way is to just look at your wrist, there are a few other ways to tell time on the Apple Watch. 

The Apple Watch can speak the time to you by tapping the watch face with two fingers. You can also set your Apple Watch to play hourly chimes.   The Apple Watch can also tap out the time on your wrist using its haptic engine.

To enable or disable these time-telling tricks, you will need to launch the Settings app on your Apple Watch, then select Clock to see your options. 

What the Apple Watch Can Do:

1. Answer Calls . 
2. Use as Your Car Key .
3. Use the Apple Watch as a Walkie Talkie .
4. Record a Voice Memo .
5. Track Your Cycle . 
6. Monitor Safe Hearing Levels.
7. Use a Calculator .
8. Act as a Compass_.
9. Always Show You The Display
10. Listen to Podcasts on the Apple Watch .
11. Unlock Passwords and Notes on Your Mac .
12. Use the Apple Watch to Challenge Friends
13. Use the Apple Watch as a Flashlight
14. Use the Apple Watch in Water
15. Track Your Runs .
16. Stay Quiet in a Movie Theater .
17. Change Your Watch Face
18. See Info Quickly
19. Monitor Your Heart Rate . 
20. Track Your Fitness .
21. View and Reply to Text and iMessage .
22. Send Apple Watch Memoji .
23. Get iPhone Notifications On Your Wrist
24. Share Your Heartbeat. 
25. Pay with Apple Pay
26. Use Apple Watch Apps
27. Get Directions On Your Apple Watch
28. Send Drawings from the Apple Watch
29. Use Siri on the Apple Watch
30. Look at Photos on Your Apple Watch
31. Connect to Your Car
32. Send Facebook Messages
33. Listen to Music on Your Apple Watch
34. Stream Apple Music
35. Share Your Location
36. Check Your Email .
37. Control Your Apple TV & Music
38. Use it as a Camera Viewfinder
39. Find a lost iPhone
40. Store Tickets on Your Apple Watch
41. Use it as a Nightstand Clock
42. Set Your Apple Watch Up to 10 Minutes Fast
43. Send an SOS
44. Keep on Track to Close Your Activity Rings
45. Keep You On Task as a Virtual Assistant
46. Send Money to Friends with Apple Pay Cash
47. Use it as a Stopwatch
48. Show Store Loyalty Cards
49. Control Your Smart Home
50. Get Important Weather Alerts
51. Use as a Translator . 
52. Check Your Instagram Feed
53. Track Your Sleep
54. Always Have Your Passwords
55. Track Skiing and Snowboarding with the Apple Watch
56. Continuously Track Your Heart Rate Without Workouts
57. Control Your HomePod Music
58. Order a Pizza
59. Open Your Garage Door
60. Show Your Car Insurance
61. Check the News
62. Browse Etsy
63. Make In-App Purchases on Your Apple Watch
64. Check Your Blood Oxygen Levels .
65. Use without an iPhone as a Kid or Senior

This list of things you can do with the Apple Watch should be more than enough to get your money’s worth out of it.

Read: Get the Best Gaming Chair You Can Buy

Answer Calls on the Apple Watch

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You can answer a call on your Apple Watch using it as a small Bluetooth speakerphone. You only want to use this for shorter calls because the audio quality isn't as good as when you are talking on speakerphone on your iPhone.  The Apple Watch only allows you to answer your calls on Speakerphone, so you won't want to use this all the time. It is very handy when you are working on a project or busy with your hands. Definitely be conscious of where you are taking calls. If you wouldn't talk on speakerphone, you shouldn't talk on your Apple Watch. If you buy the new Apple Watch with LTE, you can even make calls on the Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby. This requires adding the watch to your plan for $10 a month. You cannot answer a FaceTime video call on the Apple Watch.

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65 Exciting Things You Can Do With the Apple Watch is a post by Xavier Lanier from Gotta Be Mobile.

The watchOS 7 update brings new features, but it also brings new problems and errors. We will show you how to fix many of the common watchOS 7 problems that are popping up.

Apple just released watchOS 7.0.1 with specific and general fixes for watchOS 7. If you are experiencing issues, this is an important update to install. Apple is also working on a watchOS 7.1 beta that will fix some of these issues, but there is no specific release date for it yet.

The current watchOS 7 problems include familiar issues like; bad battery life, slow performance, connectivity errors, problems installing the update, watch face issues, and apps that don’t work.

You can try most of these fixes at home, but you cannot downgrade to watchOS 6. If you run into problems that you cannot fix, you can go to an Apple Store for help. It’s smart to make an appointment before you go.

This guide will walk you through fixes for some of the most common watchOS 7 problems. If your Apple Watch battery is draining fast, or the watch is feeling sluggish and experiencing connectivity issues, this guide will help you get your Apple Watch back to like new.

watchOS 7 Installation Problems

How to fix watchOS 7 installation problems.

You may see watchOS 7 installation problems depending on your Apple Watch model, your Internet connection, and the demand at the time.

It can take a while to download and install watchOS 7, so plan for that. You can speed this up by connecting to faster WiFi, or by waiting for others to finish and trying later.

If your iPhone doesn’t see the watchOS 7 update, you need to make sure that you install iOS 14 first. If that doesn’t work, restart your iPhone and your Apple Watch and see if that solves the problem.

Users who tried the watchOS 7 betas, need to delete those profiles to install the official release. Go to Settings -> General -> Profiles and then delete the beta profiles.

Disabled Cards in Wallet

The watchOS 7.0.1 update includes a fix for disabled cards in the Apple Watch Wallet app. If you cannot use some of your cards in Apple Pay on your Apple Watch, install this update to fix the problem.

Missing Workout Data on watchOS 7

Users are reporting that the Apple Watch is not tracking GPS data on outdoor workouts. This happens with Strava and with the Apple Watch workouts app.

Users are also reporting that the Apple Watch GPS data going back years is missing.

On the support thread users report that Apple is aware of the problem and is working on a fix. One poster says that Apple does not believe any pre-upgrade data is actually lost.

This fix may come with the watchOS 7.1 update.

watchOS 7 Connection Problems

How to fix watchOS 7 connection problems.

Is your Apple Watch not working with Bluetooth, WiFi or LTE? While not common, an update like this can cause some weird connection errors.

Try turning these connections off and then back on. You can also try turning AirPlane mode on and then off.

1. Swipe Up from the bottom of your Apple Watch
2. Tap on WiFi to turn it off.
3. Wait for a second and tap again to turn it on.

You can try the same thing with LTE. If you need to fix Bluetooth issues the best bet is to restart the Apple Watch. To do this, hold the side button and then slide power off to the right and then after the watch powers down press the digital crown to start it back up.

watchOS 7 Battery Drain

How to fix watchOS 7 battery life problems.

Is your Apple Watch battery life bad after installing watchOS 7?

It may be a watchOS 7 problem, or it could be that you are using the watch for sleep tracking more and need to change when you charge.

This is a very common watchOS 7 problem for the first day or two after the update. This should stop relatively quickly though. If not, there are some steps that you can take.

Try restarting your Apple Watch and your iPhone. This can solve many issues. Press and hold the digital crown and the side button at the same time until you see the Apple Logo. Then let go.

You can also try to limit notifications, or uninstall apps you no longer use.

Another option is to turn on power reserve mode if things get really bad. This isn’t a fix for bad battery life problems, but it will get your Apple Watch through the day. To do this, hold the side button until the menu pops up and then swipe over on power reserve.

For users with bad watchOS 7 battery life after a few days, you may need to unpair and re-pair the Apple Watch and iPhone. To do this, you need to go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.

1. On your iPhone open the Watch app.
2. Tap on My Watch and tap Apple Watch.
3. Tap to Unpair Apple Watch.
4. Next, tap to confirm and if you have Activation Lock on, enter your Apple ID password to turn it off.

Once this is done, you can connect the device and set it up with your iPhone again.

Missing Watch Faces in watchOS 7

How to find missing watch faces on watchOS 7.

Apple adds new watchOS 7 watch faces with this update. Some users are having trouble finding them. Ther are two reasons for this.

If you are on the official watchOS 7 update then you need to swipe and add the new watch faces.

1. Press on any watch face.
2. Swipe all the way to the right.
3. Tap on New (+)
4. Scroll with the Digital Crown to find the face.

If you don’t see any of the new watchOS 7 watch faces, you may be on the watchOS 7.1 beta, which at this stage does not have the new watch faces.

Slow Apple Watch After Installing watchOS 7

How to fix a slow Apple Watch after installing watchOS 7.

Is your Apple Watch running slow after installing watchOS 7? These fixes are similar to those for bad battery life on watchOS 7.

• Try restarting your Apple Watch.
• Try Restarting your iPhone.
• Do a Hard Reset – Hodl the Digital Crown and Side Button for 10 seconds until you see the Apple Logo.

If these don’t work, you can try waiting a day or two for the device to index and update all the apps and adjust, or you can try to un-pair and re-pair. To do that,

1. On your, iPhone open the Watch app.
2. Tap on My Watch and tap Apple Watch.
3. Tap to Unpair Apple Watch.
4. Next, tap to confirm and if you have Activation Lock on, enter your Apple ID password to turn it off.

This process takes a while, so only do this when you are ready and able to dedicate time to the process.

WatchOS 7 App Crashes & Errors

How to fix Apple Watch app problems on watchOS 7.

If you experience watchOS 7 app crashes or errors there are a few things that you can try.

1. Restart your Phone and Watch
2. Update All Your apps
3. Uninstall and Re-install the App

We’ve run into some apps asking for location access again with new prompts, so you may need to allow location access for different apps before they work. In most cases, you will get a pop-up. You can also change these settings in the Watch app on your iPhone.

How to Fix Lingering watchOS 7 Problems

How to fix other annoying watchOS 7 problems.

If you experience annoying problems and issues, you may need to reset your Apple Watch. Here is how to do that.

1. On your, iPhone open the Watch app.
2. Tap on My Watch and tap Apple Watch.
3. Tap to Unpair Apple Watch.
4. Next, tap to confirm and if you have Activation Lock on, enter your Apple ID password to turn it off.

This is resetting your watch, so you will need to set it back up. Once you do this, you can choose if you want to restore the backup or start from scratch. Most users will want to restore from backup.

9 Common WatchOS 7 Problems & How to Fix Them is a post by Josh Smith from Gotta Be Mobile.

Should you install watchOS 7.0.1 on your Apple Watch right now? That is a really good question to ask. We have a guide on the important reasons to install this free update on your Apple Watch, and the reasons that you shouldn’t install the free update yet.

The watchOS 7 update arrived last week, and now we are on watchOS 7.0.1, which fixes a Wallet issue and other watchOS 7 problems.

You can install this update on the Apple Watch 3, Apple Watch 4, Apple Watch 5, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch 6 models.

Should I Install watchOS 7.0.1?

This is an important decision, and while it can be tempting to install watchOS 7 or watchOS 7.0.1 as soon as possible to get the new features, there are some things that you should keep in mind.

There is no way to go back to watchOS 6 after you install this update on your Apple Watch, so you will want to make sure that you like iOS 14 and watchOS 7 features and are committed to this update before you install it on your watch.

Here are the reasons you should and shouldn’t install watchOS 7.

That said, there are a lot of cool new watchOS 7 features that are bringing new life to your current Apple Watch. These new features and improvements might be enough for you to keep your watch for another year or two instead of buying the Apple Watch 6 or Apple Watch SE.

Here are the reasons to install watchOS 7.0.1 on your Apple Watch today;

1. Install for Bug Fixes & Security
2. Install for New Watch Faces & Sharing
3. Install for Family Setup
4. Install for Better Apps & Complications
5. Install for Sleep Tracking
6. Install for New Fitness Tracking
7. Install for Bike Directions
8. Install for Handwashing Timers
9. Install for Siri Upgrades
10. Install for Hearing Health

Even with all these cool new features, there are some important reasons not to install watchOS 7.0.1, or at least to not install it today.

1. Don’t Install If You’re Unsure
2. Don’t Install if You Don’t Like Problems
3. Don’t Install Until Reviews Arrive
4. Don’t Install if You Are Traveling, On the Front Lines or Super Busy

Keep reading for more information on each of these reasons so that you can make a smart choice based on your situation and comfort level with the watchOS 7 update. Most of the reasons to install watchOS 7.0.1 are new features, and most of the reasons not to install are focused on learning more and avoiding problems.

Install for Bug Fixes & Security

WatchOS 7.0.1 brings fixes to your Apple Watch.

If you are already on watchOS 7, you should install the watchOS 7.0.1 update and get bug fixes and security updates. This specifically fixes disabled cards in Wallet, but it also includes other bug fixes and security updates. If you are experiencing watchOS 7 problems, you should install this update.

Install for new Watch Faces & Sharing

Install watchOS 7 for new Apple Watch faces.

The watchOS 7 update brings tons of new Apple Watch face options that let you change the way your Apple Watch looks. We’ve been able to change watch faces for years, but the new update adds in Chronograph Pro and X-Large gains new complications. The Photos app now includes filters and more.

On watchOS 7 you can now pull in more complications from apps you love to tie together complications to fit specific needs. This means a watch face for work, for hobbies, for downtime, and anything you can think of.

Apple Watch face sharing is now a thing! This means that you can share the faces you make with a text, an email, or you can post a link online. You can also get faces from the App Store and find faces online.

Install for Family Setup

Use family setup to keep kids or older users connected without a phone.

If you have an Apple Watch with LTE, you can now use Family Setup to setup additional Apple Watches for kids or elderly family members.

Each person gets their own phone number, can stream music, download apps, and use Siri. There is a Memoji app and all your other favorite Apple Watch apps.

You can set communication rules and limits for kids and even send money that they can use for Apple Pay Cash.

For older users calling and texting without a phone is handy and you also get fall detection for some added safety and peace of mind.

Install for Better Apps & Complications

In addition to the new watch face options and sharing, complications and your favorite apps are better and a little more powerful.

Enhanced complications are the things that you will most likely notice on your first day with watchOS 7. The update complications allow you to tap right to the apps and features that you want.

This can be tapping into the camera remote, into Siri Shortcuts, the world clock, and many other options.

Install for Sleep Tracking

Install watchOS 7 to track your sleep.

You’ve been able to track your sleep with the Apple Watch for years, but it required third party apps and ultimately it required more thought. The new ASLeep app includes a sleep mode that turns on Do Not Disturb and prevents the screen from waking. The screen dimming is important because there is nothing relaxing about blinding yourself when you turn over with an Apple Watch on.

Sleep tracking includes an analysis chart of your sleep, you get overall sleep tracking that helps you see the different states. The watch will help you get to sleep on time with bedtime alerts, wind down shortcuts, and routines. When you wake up, you will get a look at the information that you need to see to start your day.

If your watch is at 30% or less before bed, you will get a notification to charge. When you charge in the morning you will get a notification on your iPhone when the watch is at 100%.

Install for New Fitness Tracking

Track new fitness activities.

You can track more workouts on your Apple Watch with watchOS 7. This is a nice upgrade instead of using third party watch apps and it is handy considering the new ways that we are learning to workout in 2020. You can track the following new workouts in watchOS 7;

• Dance
• Functional Strength Training
• Core Training
• Cooldowns

You can see all of this in the Activity app and Competitions get a makeover for iOS 14.

Install for Bike Directions

Install fo cycling directions.

Do you bike around town or while you are traveling, if you still travel in 2020? If so, you can now get cycling directions on your wrist with watchOS7 using Apple Maps.

This is a really handy way to get around a new city or to find your way to a new location as you roam closer to home. These work similar to Apple Maps driving directions, so you can see the directions on your wrist and you also get vibrations to let you know which way to turn.

If there at stairs that you need to take you will see that on your watch, or if you need to dismount and walk you will see that too. You can also search for things nearby that you want to do.

Install for Handwashing Timers

Install for hand washing timers and reminders.

WatchOS 7 includes two key handwashing features that are especially useful in 2020. There is automatic handwashing detection. Once the watch thinks you are washing your hands, it will start a timer to make sure you wash your hands long enough.

When you arrive home, the Apple Watch will also remind you to wash your hands, that way you are sure to clean up after going to the store, work, or just being outside. It’s a very helpful 2020 feature.

Install for Siri Upgrades

Siri is better on watchOS 7.

Siri is faster and can do more on watchOS 7. You can ask Siri for spoken translations and you will then be able to get share that translation with someone else from your wrist.

Dictation is now done on the watch, so it is more accurate and reliable.

Siri Shortcuts from your phone can now run from your watch easier and you can add them as complications.

Install for Hearing Health

Protect your hearing with new watchOS 7 features.

WatchOS 7 includes three new hearing protection upgrades that are important.

Your watch can notify you if it senses that you’ve reached the recommended safe headphone volume for the week.

You can also see a listening summary in the Health app on your iPhone and you can even set a max headphone volume on the watch.

Don’t Install If You’re Unsure

Are you unsure about watchOS 7.0.1 or iOS 14.0.1? If so, do not install this update.

There is no way to downgrade your Apple Watch from watchOS 7 to watchOS 6.

This means that once you install this update you are stuck until another update arrives and you won’t be able to downgrade to iOS 13 on your iPhone and continue to use your watch.

Make sure that you understand the features, you like iOS 14, and that you know what you are doing.

Don’t Install if You Don’t Like Problems

If you install watchOS 7.0.1 on day one, or even during the first week, you may run into problems with your Apple Watch.

Even with a beta testing period, there is a chance for bugs that break apps, bad battery life, and other issues.

There are some ways that you can fix watchOS 7 problems on your own, but for some issues and errors, you will need to wait for an update from Apple or for an update from developers.

Don’t Install Until Reviews Arrive

One of the best things that you can do is wait a day or longer for watchOS 7.0.1 reviews to tell you how the update handles.

We will share initial impressions and test this update as soon as we go hands-on with the final build.

You can wait for our report as well as reports from other average users to make an informed decision about this update.

Don’t Install if You Are Traveling, On the Front Lines or Super Busy

Are you traveling, tied up with an important project at work, or on the front lines working?

if so, we recommend waiting to install the update until you have access to a good internet connection, your backups, and time to deal with issues.

Don’t attempt to install watchOS 7.0.1 on a lunch break, especially if you use your watch at work.

Install iOS 14.8.1 for Better Security

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If security is important to you, think about installing iOS 14.8.1 right away. The iOS 14.8.1 update brings 12 new security patches to the iPhone. You can read about all of them over on Apple's site.  If you want to better protect your iPhone and its data, you'll want to install the iOS 14.8.1 update in the near future.  If you missed iOS 14.8, you'll get its security patches with your upgrade. You can learn more about them right here.  If you missed iOS 14.7.1, you'll get its patch with your upgrade. If you want to learn more about iOS 14.7.1's security update, check out its support page. If you missed iOS 14.7, you'll get its 31 security patches with your upgrade. You can learn more about those on Apple's website.  If you skipped iOS 14.6, you'll get the update's 38 security patches with your iOS 14.8.1 update. If you're curious about the particulars, you can read about them right here. If you skipped iOS 14.5.1, you get the update's two security patches on board. You can read about them over on Apple's website. Both are related to WebKit.  If you missed iOS 14.5 you'll get its patches with your upgrade. You can read more about those changes over on Apple's website. iOS 14.5 also brought Apple's new App Tracking Transparency which lets you control which apps are allowed to track your activity across other companies' apps and websites for ads or sharing with data brokers. If you skipped iOS 14.4.2, you get its security patch with iOS 14.8.1. You can learn more about that patch over on Apple's website as well.  If you missed iOS 14.4.1, you get its patch with your upgrade to iOS 14.8.1. You can read about that patch right here. If you skipped iOS 14.4, you get the update's patches with your upgrade. You can learn more about iOS 14.4's security patches right here.  If you skipped iOS 14.3 you'll get its nine security updates with your upgrade. You can read more about them on its security site.  iOS 14.3 also included a new privacy information section on App Store pages that includes a developer-reported summary of the app’s privacy practices. If you skipped iOS 14.2, your iOS 14.8.1 update includes 24 additional security patches. You can learn more about the patches on Apple's security website.  If you're still running iOS 13, iOS 14.8.1 includes iOS 14.0's security updates.  iOS 14.0 brought 11 new security patches to the iPhone. If you're interested in the exact nature of these improvements, you can read about them over on Apple's website. In addition to those patches, iOS 14 comes with some security and privacy upgrades including improvements to Home/HomeKit and Safari.  For instance in Safari, you can now tap the Privacy Report button to better understand how websites handle your privacy. With iOS 14 on board you can now get information on the App Store that will help you understand the privacy practices of apps before you download them.  There is also a new recording indicator that will appear at the top of your screen whenever an app is using your microphone or camera. You can see if an app has used them recently in Control Center. Researchers also discovered that Apple brought a new "BlastDoor" sandbox security system to iOS 14. The system is meant to prevent attacks from occurring via the Messages app.  You can read more about "BlastDoor" right here.

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9 Reasons to Install WatchOS 7.0.1 & 4 Reasons Not To is a post by Josh Smith from Gotta Be Mobile.

The watchOS 7.0,1 update is here, and it is going to take some time to install, especially if you are upgrading from watchOS 6.  Here’s how long the watchOS 7.0.1 update takes to finish.

You should count on at least an hour to install watchOS 7.0.1, and you may need to budget up to two and a half hours to install watchOS 7.0.1 if you are upgrading from watchOS 6.

The watchOS 7 update is a free update for the Apple Watch Series 3 through Series 5 devices. Apple released the watchOS 7.0.1 update on September 24th.

The watchOS 7 update was 987 MB for the Apple Watch Series 5, and watchOS 7.0.1 is 66.3MB on the Apple Watch 6.

How Long Does the watchOS 7.0.1 Update Take?

How long does watchOS 7.0.1 take to install?

You need to plan on spending at least an hour installing the watchOS 7.0.1 update, and potentially longer during the first days of the release.

If you are upgrading from watchOS 6, you will need to plan on a longer process since the update includes watchOS 7 and 7.0.1. Plan on spending at least 20 minutes and potentially up to an hour installing iOS 14.0.1 if you aren’t already on it.

To install watchOS 7.0.1 on your device, it needs at least 50% battery life, to be connected to the charger and to WiFi. That means you can’t use the Apple Watch, and you can’t leave the Apple Watch and take your iPhone somewhere, so you’re tied to your desk. Here’s how long the watchOS 7.0.1 update takes to finish;

Don’t try to do this when you are in a hurry. If you are an essential worker and you need to be ready to go to work, don’t start this right before you need to go out the door.

The best time for many users to install watchOS 7.0.1 is in the evening or right before bed, when there is plenty of time for the Apple Watch update to download and install. Don’t attempt this on public WiFi.

Once the watchOS 7.0.1 update installs, you will get an alert on your phone so that you know it is done. The update will go faster in the coming days and weeks, so if this seems like too long of an update, just hold off until next week.

Answer Calls on the Apple Watch

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You can answer a call on your Apple Watch using it as a small Bluetooth speakerphone. You only want to use this for shorter calls because the audio quality isn't as good as when you are talking on speakerphone on your iPhone.  The Apple Watch only allows you to answer your calls on Speakerphone, so you won't want to use this all the time. It is very handy when you are working on a project or busy with your hands. Definitely be conscious of where you are taking calls. If you wouldn't talk on speakerphone, you shouldn't talk on your Apple Watch. If you buy the new Apple Watch with LTE, you can even make calls on the Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby. This requires adding the watch to your plan for $10 a month. You cannot answer a FaceTime video call on the Apple Watch.

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Here’s How Long the WatchOS 7.0.1 Update Takes to Finish is a post by Josh Smith from Gotta Be Mobile.

This is an early look at the reports of watchOS 7 problems and what you need to know about any errors or issues associated with these updates.

From long installation times to connectivity issues, this is what you need to know about the current watchOS 7 problems that users are reporting right after installing this update.

Apple just released the watchOS 7.0.1 update with bug fixes. This update includes bug fixes and specifically fixes disabled payment cards in the Wallet.

Some of these issues will disappear after a day or two, while others may require a watchOS 7.0.1 or watchOS 7.1 updates to deliver a fix.

watchOS 7 Problems

What you need to know about watchOS 7 problems.

There is one major watchOS 7 problem and a number of small issues that we’ve heard about so far

Slow downloads and missing GPS data on workouts are the biggest issues. Some users are unable to see historical GPS workout data, but that should come back when Apple pushes out a fix for watchOS.

We’re keeping on the lookout and will update you when we hear of any of these issues.

Where to Find Feedback

If you are already running watchOS 7, or are just thinking about installing it, you can look for feedback.

This can help you find errors and issues that are linked to apps you use or the features you love.

We have a full guide on the reasons you should install watchOS 7 and the reasons you shouldn’t. This is a good place to start, but you can go further to learn more about this update.

We recommend checking out the Apple discussion forums, Twitter, and YouTube to learn what other users are experiencing with watchOS 7.

How to Fix watchOS 7 Problems

You cannot downgrade from watchOS 7 to watchOS 6 to fix problems, but there are some things you can try. Here is more on how to fix watchOS 7 problems.

For slow downloads, restart your router or try a new connection. You may need to ask other users to stop streaming movies or playing games.

If you are experiencing lag, connection issues, or other oddities, after updating, you should try to restart your Apple Watch.

You can press and hold the side button and digital crown to force a restart or you can hold the side button until Power Off appears and then slide to turn your watch off.

The force restart can help you fix a red exclamation mark on your Apple Watch after updating

For more help, look on the Apple discussion forums and reach out to Apple Support on Twitter.

Can You Downgrade from watchOS 7?

If you don’t like watchOS 7, you cannot downgrade to watchOS 6. Apple does not offer this as an option for the Apple Watch. Once you install this update, your on it until Apple delivers a newer version of watchOS 7.

You can go to an Apple Store if your watch is completely broken on watchOS 7, but they will replace it if the device is under warranty, not help you downgrade to watchOS 6.

What’s next for watchOS 7?

Apple released watchOS 7.0.1 with bug fixes. The next step is likely watchOS 7.1 in October.

We think the new iPhones will launch with iOS 14.1, so we could even see watchOS 7.1 arrive in October with new features and fixes.

We’ll update this post when we have more information about the upcoming watchOS 6 updates.

Answer Calls on the Apple Watch

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You can answer a call on your Apple Watch using it as a small Bluetooth speakerphone. You only want to use this for shorter calls because the audio quality isn't as good as when you are talking on speakerphone on your iPhone.  The Apple Watch only allows you to answer your calls on Speakerphone, so you won't want to use this all the time. It is very handy when you are working on a project or busy with your hands. Definitely be conscious of where you are taking calls. If you wouldn't talk on speakerphone, you shouldn't talk on your Apple Watch. If you buy the new Apple Watch with LTE, you can even make calls on the Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby. This requires adding the watch to your plan for $10 a month. You cannot answer a FaceTime video call on the Apple Watch.

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watchOS 7 Problems: 5 Things You Need to Know Today is a post by Josh Smith from Gotta Be Mobile.

Should you install the watchOS 7 beta on your Apple Watch today? There are new Apple Watch models likely coming at an Apple event next week, and we should see an official watchOS 7 release date soon. You can still test the watchOS 7 features out on your current model with the developer or public betas. We are deep into the beta process, but this is still a beta, and it is not final software, but it may be a better time to jump in than earlier this summer. This guide will help you figure out if you should install the watchOS 7 betas or if you should skip it.

Right now there is no way to downgrade from the watchOS 7 betas to watchOS 6, which is a major reason not to install this beta on your only Apple Watch. Once you test this out on the developer or public beta, you are stuck there until the official release.

Should You Install the watchOS 7 Beta?

Should you install the watchOS 7 beta?

There are a lot of exciting new watchOS 7 features coming with this update. It is very tempting to install the beta and try out these new features right now, but it’s not a simple decision

While you can easily test out iOS 14 and macOS Big Sur with the developer betas and then go back to iOS 13 and macOS Catalina, you can’t do that on watchOS 7.

Here are the reasons you shouldn’t install the watchOS 7 beta;

1. Don’t Install Because There is No Downgrade
2. Don’t Install If You Aren’t OK With Problems
3. Don’t Install If You Don’t Have a Spare Apple Watch
4. Don’t Install For All New Features

That said, for a few people, this is a good time to install the watchOS 7 beta. Here are the reasons that you should install the watchOS 7 beta today;

1. Install to Make watchOS 7 Better
2. Install the watchOS 7 Beta to Test for Work
3. Install to Try New Features Early

You can read the information below to learn more about why you shouldn’t, or should, install the watchOS 7 beta right now.

Don't Install Because You Can't Downgrade watchOS 7 to watchOS 6

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When you install the watchOS 7 beta on your Apple Watch you are stuck there until Apple releases the final version or a new beta. There is no way to downgrade from the watchOS 7 beta to watchOS 6.  That means any problems, broken apps or compatibility issues will be there until you install the next beta or upgrade to the release this fall.   There is no way to downgrade from the watchOS 7 beta to watchOS 6 like you can with iOS and macOS. This also means that if you install the iOS 14 beta and you don't like it, you can't continue using your Apple Watch with a phone on iOS 13, so it will essentially be useless.  If you have any concerns about this process, don't install the watchOS 7 beta. We are hopeful that Apple may bring some change with the public beta, but so far there is no confirmation.

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4 Reasons Not To Install the watchOS 7 Beta & 3 Reasons To is a post by Josh Smith from Gotta Be Mobile.

You can install the watchOS 7 beta on your Apple Watch without a developer account. You need to install iOS 14 first, and then you need to install the watchOS 7 beta profile.

If you are a regular user, the best way to do this is with the watchOS 7 public beta that is out now. There is no way to downgrade from watchOS 7 to watchOS 6, so once you try out the beta you are stuck there.

Once you install the iOS 14 beta on your phone, you need to download the watchOS 7 beta profile and then you can download and install the beta to test watchOS 7 features early.

How to Download the watchOS 7 Beta Profile

How to install the watchOS 7 beta right now.

Install the iOS 14 beta on your iPhone. You cannot do this without iOS 14. Follow these instructions to install the iOS 14 beta before you continue.

1. Download the watchOS 7 beta Configuration Profile the Apple Beta Software Program.
2. Tap on Apple Watch when prompted.
3. Tap on Install.
4. Enter your passcode.
5. Tap on Install.
6. Restart the Apple Watch when prompted.

This installs a small piece of software that tells Apple your Apple Watch is allowed to install this watchOS 7 beta. You only have to do this once. Afterward, it will install watchOS 7 beta updates just like a normal Apple Watch update.

How to Install the watchOS 7 Beta

How to install the watchOS 7 beta without a developer account.

After your Apple Watch restarts, grab your iPhone. You will need to use the Watch app to connect and install the update. You need to make sure that your Apple Watch is on the charger, that it has at least 50% battery life and you will need an Internet connection. You must keep your iPhone nearby while this happens.

1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on My Watch.
3. Tap on General and Software Update.
4. When you See watchOS 7 beta tap on Download and Install.
5. Enter your iPhone passcode.
6. Agree to the Terms & Conditions.
7. With your Apple Watch on the charger tap on Install.

This starts the watchOS 7 beta installation process. This will take some time and once the install starts, you cannot use the Apple Watch until the update is complete. You can use your iPhone during this, but you will need to make sure that you keep it close to the Apple Watch.

Answer Calls on the Apple Watch

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You can answer a call on your Apple Watch using it as a small Bluetooth speakerphone. You only want to use this for shorter calls because the audio quality isn't as good as when you are talking on speakerphone on your iPhone.  The Apple Watch only allows you to answer your calls on Speakerphone, so you won't want to use this all the time. It is very handy when you are working on a project or busy with your hands. Definitely be conscious of where you are taking calls. If you wouldn't talk on speakerphone, you shouldn't talk on your Apple Watch. If you buy the new Apple Watch with LTE, you can even make calls on the Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby. This requires adding the watch to your plan for $10 a month. You cannot answer a FaceTime video call on the Apple Watch.

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How to Install the WatchOS 7 Beta Right Now is a post by Josh Smith from Gotta Be Mobile.