10 Underrated Apple Watch Features You're Probably Not Using

You love your Apple Watch. You close your rings, check your texts, and maybe track a workout. But what if we told you that’s just scratching the surface? The true power of your watch lies in a suite of brilliant, often hidden tools that can turn it from a simple accessory into an indispensable life-management device. This is especially true with the release of watchOS 26, which adds a new layer of intelligence to your wrist. Get ready to explore the most underrated Apple Watch features that will completely change how you see your device.

1. Automate Your Day with Focus-Linked Watch Faces

One of the most transformative productivity hacks is the ability to automatically change your watch face based on your active Focus mode. This powerful automation turns your watch into a proactive assistant that anticipates your needs.

Imagine this: your "Work" Focus activates, and your watch face instantly switches to one showing your next calendar event, reminders, and top contacts. When it's time for the gym, your "Fitness" Focus brings up a face with your Activity Rings and a shortcut to the Workout app. This feature eliminates the friction of swiping through faces to find the right one for the moment.

How to activate it:

• On your iPhone, open the Settings app and tap Focus.
• Select a Focus mode (e.g., "Work") and scroll down to the "Customize Screens" section.
• Under the Apple Watch icon, tap Choose and select the specific watch face you want to appear whenever that Focus mode is active.

2. Become a Pro Photographer with the Advanced Camera Remote

Most people think the Apple Watch camera remote is just a simple shutter button for group photos. But it’s actually a full-featured remote viewfinder that gives you incredible control over your iPhone's camera, right from your wrist.

Tap the three-dots icon in the app to unlock a hidden control panel. From here, you can:

• Zoom with the Digital Crown: Smoothly zoom in and out to perfectly frame your shot.
• Tap to Focus: Tap any part of the live preview on your watch to adjust the iPhone camera’s focus and exposure.
• Change Key Settings: Remotely switch between front and rear cameras, toggle the flash, and manage Live Photos.
• Record Video: Simply touch and hold the shutter button to start recording video hands-free.

This feature is a game-changer for solo creators, family portraits, or anyone who wants to capture the perfect shot without having to run back and forth to their phone.

How to use it:

• Open the Camera Remote app on your watch to see a live preview.
• Tap the three-dots icon (...) in the bottom right corner to open the control menu.
• From the menu, you can switch cameras, manage the flash, set a timer, and control Live Photos.
• Use the Digital Crown to zoom in and out smoothly.

3. Never Get Lost Again with Compass Waypoints & Backtrack

The Compass app isn't just for serious hikers; it's an incredibly useful tool for everyday life. Using Compass Waypoints and Backtrack can help you find your parked car in a massive lot or retrace your steps in an unfamiliar city.

You can instantly drop a Waypoint to mark your current location and customize it with a label like "Car" or "Meeting Spot." If you have an Apple Watch Ultra, you can even set the Action Button to drop a waypoint with a single press. The watch also automatically drops helpful waypoints, like where you last had a cellular connection or where you parked your car.

Once a waypoint is set, your watch will show you the direction, distance, and even elevation difference to get back to it. And if you're truly lost, the Backtrack feature uses GPS to record your route, allowing you to retrace your steps exactly.

How to use it:

• Open the Compass app on your watch.
• To mark your current location, tap the waypoint icon (a speech bubble with a pin) in the bottom left.
• To retrace your steps on a route, tap the footprints icon in the bottom right to activate Backtrack.

4. Understand Your Rest with the New Apple Watch Sleep Score

With the release of watchOS 26 features, Apple finally introduced a Apple Watch sleep score, a single number out of 100 that makes it easy to understand your sleep quality at a glance. But its real power is in the breakdown of what makes up that score.

The score is weighted based on three key metrics:

• 50% Sleep Duration: How long you were actually asleep compared to your goal.
• 30% Bedtime Consistency: How regular your sleep schedule is.
• 20% Minimizing Interruptions: How often your sleep was disturbed during the night.

By looking at this breakdown in the Health app, you can pinpoint exactly why you had a good or bad night's sleep. If your duration is good but interruptions are high, you know to focus on your sleep environment. It transforms abstract data into an actionable plan for better rest.

How to activate it:

• On your iPhone, open the Health app, tap Browse > Sleep, and set up a Sleep Schedule.
• Wear your Apple Watch to bed.
• The next morning, find your Sleep Score and detailed breakdown in the Health app.

5. Protect Your Hearing with the Noise App

This is one of the most important features you're likely not using. The Noise app runs quietly in the background, passively monitoring environmental sound levels. If you are exposed to noise loud enough to potentially damage your hearing over time (like at a concert or a loud construction site), your watch will send you a gentle tap and a notification. It's a silent guardian for your long-term health.

How to activate it:

• On your iPhone, open the Watch app and navigate to My Watch > Noise.
• Turn on Environmental Sound Measurements.
• Set a specific noise threshold (e.g., 85 decibels) to receive notifications when the sound exceeds that level.

6. Capture Ideas Instantly with the Native Notes App

Inspiration is fleeting. The Apple Watch Notes app eliminates the friction between having an idea and capturing it. Whether you're on a run and think of a solution to a work problem or remember a crucial to-do item while your hands are full, you can instantly dictate a note without ever reaching for your phone. It ensures your best ideas are saved the moment they strike.

How to use it:

• Open the Notes app on your Apple Watch.
• Tap the "+" icon to create a new note.
• Use the dictation (microphone icon) or scribble feature to enter your text. Your note will automatically sync with your iPhone.

7. Master One-Handed Control with the Wrist Flick Gesture

New in watchOS 26, the Wrist Flick gesture is a small interaction that delivers a huge improvement in convenience. It allows you to manage alerts discreetly and efficiently when your other hand is occupied. It's perfect for dismissing a notification while carrying groceries, silencing a call in a meeting without being rude, or snoozing an alarm without fumbling for a screen. It makes the watch feel less like a gadget and more like an extension of you.

How to use it:

• This is a new default interaction, so no setup is required.
• When a notification appears, simply perform a quick, sharp flick of your wrist to dismiss it.

8. Get Smarter Motivation with the AI Workout Buddy

The AI-powered Workout Buddy is your personal trainer and data analyst. It moves beyond generic encouragement by offering personalized, real-time feedback based on your actual performance against your history. It knows when you're capable of pushing harder and when you need to maintain your pace, helping you train more intelligently, avoid plateaus, and make every workout more effective.

How to activate it:

• Open the Workout app on your watch.
• Tap the three-dots icon (...) on a workout type like "Outdoor Run."
• In the workout's setup menu, toggle on "AI Workout Buddy" or a similar voice feedback option.

9. Reinforce a Healthy Habit with the Handwashing Timer

This feature brilliantly automates a critical public health guideline. We all know we're supposed to wash our hands for 20 seconds, but very few of us actually time it. The Handwashing Timer removes the mental burden and guesswork. It uses motion sensors to know when you've started and provides a simple, satisfying countdown, effortlessly helping you build and maintain a fundamentally important hygiene habit.

How to activate it:

• On your Apple Watch, go to Settings > Handwashing.
• Make sure the Handwashing Timer is toggled on. The feature will now work automatically.

10. Stay Safe with Fall Detection and Emergency SOS

While you hope you never need it, Fall Detection is a life-saving safety net that provides profound peace of mind—not just for you, but for your loved ones. It's a crucial feature for anyone, not just the elderly. Whether you're trail running alone, cycling on a quiet road, or simply living by yourself, knowing that your watch can detect a hard fall and automatically call for help if you're unresponsive is incredibly reassuring.

How to activate it:

• On your iPhone, open the Watch app and go to My Watch > Emergency SOS.
• Turn on Fall Detection.
• Crucially, go to the Health app on your iPhone to set up your Medical ID and add Emergency Contacts.

Conclusion

Your Apple Watch is so much more than a device for fitness and notifications. By diving into these underrated Apple Watch features, you can unlock its true potential as a proactive, intelligent companion that seamlessly integrates into your life. From protecting your hearing to automating your day and guiding you home, these powerful tools are waiting to be discovered.

Which of these features are you most excited to try first? Do you have another favorite underrated feature we missed?