How to ping your iPhone from Apple Watch new update (and more useful features!)

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In September 2023 Apple released the biggest update for its smartwatches yet, alongside a fresh new model: the Apple Watch Series 9. 

WatchOS 10 is available to anyone with an Apple Watch Series 4 or later, but with new updates come new challenges…

If you’re wondering how to ping your iPhone from a newly updated Apple Watch, you’ve come to the right place. And whilst you’re here you might as well learn how to expand notifications, update software, turn on the flashlight faster, and more with the 10.4 version update.

How to use the ‘Ping iPhone’ Feature

We’ve all been there: You’re rushing to leave the house, and your iPhone is nowhere to be found. Amidst the panic, you remember that your Apple Watch has a ‘Ping iPhone’ feature, which can help you locate your misplaced device.

So, if you want to ping your iPhone from your Apple Watch with the new update follow these steps…

1. Press the side button on your Apple Watch. This will open the Control Center.
2. Look for the Ping My iPhone icon. It’s the one that looks like an iPhone emitting sound waves.
3. Simply tap on the icon. Your iPhone will emit a sound, helping you locate it.

Remember that this function only works if your iPhone and Apple Watch are connected through Bluetooth or the same Wi-Fi network!

But what else is there to learn…

How to Show Full Notifications on Your Apple Smart Watch using Double Tap

This one applies to Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 users! So anyone else can skip ahead.

These newer watch models have ‘Double-Tap’ which we have discussed before. Basically, this feature allows you to avoid touching your watch screen, and instead encourages you to ‘double tap’ your index finger and thumb together on your watch hand to quickly perform an action.

But even newer is the latest watchOS 10.4 update which allows you to use double tap to expand notifications.

So when you receive long notifications and want to read them without opening the corresponding app you don’t have to touch the screen. 

Here’s how to set up Double Tap on your Apple Smart Watch with the OS 10 update.

1. Open Settings on your Apple Watch.
2. Tap on “Gestures.”
3. Select “Double Tap.”
4. Choose from the following options:
   • Playback: Select either Play/Pause or Skip.
   • Smart Stack: Choose between Advance or Select.

You can also set up double tap from your iPhone by using the My Watch App. But if you still have questions, we have an article with more details here!

It’s important to remember that the double tap gesture is not available when Low Power Mode is activated, Sleep Focus is active, the display is inactive due to wrist-down detection, or certain accessibility features are enabled.

How to turn on the flashlight on your Apple Watch

In addition to the ping feature that watchOS 10 provides, you can use the side button to access the flashlight on your Apple Smart Watch like so: 

1. Press the side button on your Apple Watch. This will open the Control Center.
2. Tap on the torch icon
3. Swipe left to choose a mode—steady white light, flashing white light, or steady red light.
4. Adjust the brightness: Turn the Digital Crown up or down.
5. Turn off the flashlight: Press the Digital Crown or side button, or swipe down from the top of the watch face.

This update means it will be much easier (and faster) to light your way if you ever find yourself plunged into spontaneous darkness.

If you don’t want to miss out on more device updates read on…

How to keep your Apple Watch software updated automatically

Keeping your Apple Watch software updated can often be something we tend to put off because A. it’s boring and B. it might seem a little tedious unless it’s a mega update like the OS 10.

Saying that, the watchOS 10 update was pretty huge, but there were still things to improve on.

Hence why Apple keeps on providing updates such as watchOS 10.4. Often these mini-updates can offer small changes to your device such as bug fixes, but they can also provide new features, so its worth downloading them asap.

My advice would be to set up automatic software updates on your Apple Watch. That way, you don’t have to manually approve your Smart Watch update (DULL) or miss out on any of the changes (no matter how small).

Here’s how to turn on (or off) automatic software updates  on your Apple Watch

1. Go to Settings > App Store
2. Turn on or turn off Automatic Updates

Here’s how to do it using an iPhone…

1. Go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Tap General & Software Update
3. Enable Automatic Updates.

Just in case:

If you have somehow read through this post and discovered you don’t have the original watchOS 10 update on your Apple Smart Watch follow these steps below:

How to Download and Install watchOS 10 on Your Apple Watch?

1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Go to General & Software Update.
3. Tap Download and Install.
4. Enter your iPhone passcode if prompted.
5. Agree to the terms and conditions.
6. Wait for the download to complete, and then tap Install.

Remember, your Apple Watch needs to have at least 50% battery and be placed on a charger during the update.

For more useful tips about your Apple Smart Watch read our post here!