What do you use your Apple Watch for?

[andyw715]

Lets see.
Apple Pay - I tend to avoid places that don't take Apple Pay - their loss.
HomeKey
Duo 2FA
Workout tracking - Workoutdoors and Strong
Music, audiobooks, podcasts
Messaging
Calls

Basically replacing my physical wallet and not having to need my phone for everything. It's so nice to go to the gym with just the watch and airpods and not have to need the phone to track.

 

[newellj]

Mostly:
- sleep tracking
- workout data

Less frequent:
- checking the time (!)
- taking phone calls truly hands-free (works extremely well but I feel like Dick Tracy)

Things I *don't* use if for:
- had to turn off fall detection. I was getting too many false alerts and it wasn't necessarily convenient to dismiss them, though necessary.

 

[OW22]

One thing I've done today with it is to run my coffee machine with the watch! I have a Jura coffee machine and the Jura app allows you to pick your beverage and run the machine. So as long as I have a cup placed under it, I can use the watch to pick the coffee I want, and it gives me a nice coffee.

 

[circatee]

Honestly, I have wondered exactly why I ever bought an Apple Watch. Then again, I am a watch person, however, more mechanical watches.

So, to answer your question, mainly for checking the time. I do have notifications on for Messages and Phone calls, that's it, no other notifications...

 

[Starfia]

If I only used my watch for sleep tracking, I'd consider just purchasing battery service based on the cost comparison.

Off the top of my head, I mainly use my watch for:

• Checking activity rings
• Checking my heart rate
• Tracking workouts
• Taking ECGs
• Controlling home accessories
• Controlling iPhone playback
• Checking weather
• Keeping and checking shopping lists
• Checking mail
• Using Apple Pay at retail
• Controlling my Apple TV
• Using the flashlight
• Using silent timers
• Checking contact info
• Checking on deliveries
• Reading and sending messages
• Rare FaceTime audio calls
• Rare Walkie-Talkie contact

And I make use of the storage by uploading music and podcasts for listening while walking or jogging outdoors without my phone.

My main watches have been the original ("Series 0"), a Series 4, and a Series 9. Each time I've tried to wait as long as reasonably possible and then fully appreciate the upgrade.

 

[Ifti]

I still use my Apple Watch S7 - it's doing everything I need and I don't see what extra value I will get out of upgrading.

I use mine for the time (obviously) as well as notifications, and sometimes when I go out for a walk I don't take my phone with me - so any emergency messages or calls can be taken on my watch. Oh and at work my phone usually stays on my desk, so I'm out out wondering the building I have my watch for notifications etc too!

I'd love an Ultra, but as I said, for my usage, I don't see what extra value it would bring.....

 

[4sallypat]

AW9 to UW3 for the satellite messaging, SpO2, BPM, GPS, etc.

I use mine for aviation so it's important that I have these features.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Time, date, message notifications, work email notifications, current weather and forecast, noise level (I love music but I love my ears too), timers for cooking, music control, podcast control, health tracking, workouts, home viewing/control, flashlight, airplane mode. It’s one of my favorite Apple devices as it’s just so versatile.

 

[OW22]

I've only come back to the Apple Watch about 2 weeks ago. My last one was the Series 4 and I stopped using it after a year as UI wasn't seeing the benefits of it. And I was more of a mechanical watch guy. I then had to get a health tracker after having a heart incident, but chose the Fitbit Charge 4, which is a really great watch and very much recommended for health tracking, and it has a 5-day battery life. It will also give you notifications for messages, calls, etc.

As I am deep into the Apple ecosystem, I decided to give the AW another go with the launch of the S11. The always-on display was a real benefit for me, and the addition of a few Fitbit-like features on health really swung it, like sleep scores, vitals, etc.

It's been a very pleasant reunion. One thing I had forgotten was Apple Pay. I love that feature and am always impressed with how well it works. It works every time, just having it anywhere near the credit card reader, and it's done. I find it easier than the iPhone. Went shopping today, and my shopping list on Notes worked a treat, with being able to check each item off the list. The cellular option is great, I use it all the time now when exercising and can leave the phone behind. That's great. Basically, I'm using the watch a lot more than I thought; all the added benefits aside from the health stuff are superb.

One thing to note, I still have the Series 4 and decided to give it a trial run to help me decide going for the S11. I was very impressed with how well that watch held up. Screen still looks great, all the functions still worked, battery life was even OK.

 

[joeblough]

One thing I had forgotten was Apple Pay. I love that feature and am always impressed with how well it works. It works every time, just having it anywhere bears the credit card reader, and it's done. I find it easier than the iPhone.

yeah - i never use my phone for applepay - always my watch. even when checking out online on applepay on a computer that doesn't have touch id.

i've owned a ton of apple watches and although it's slightly too big for my wrist, the ultra is a real game changer. tough as nails, the big display is awesome, and the battery life is fantastic. i think i'll be using the U3 for quite a while as i feel that the watch has reached it's "final form" for a while.

 

[OW22]

yeah - i never use my phone for applepay - always my watch. even when checking out online on applepay on a computer that doesn't have touch id.

i've owned a ton of apple watches and although it's slightly too big for my wrist, the ultra is a real game changer. tough as nails, the big display is awesome, and the battery life is fantastic. i think i'll be using the U3 for quite a while as i feel that the watch has reached it's "final form" for a while.

I was looking at both the U3 and the S11 Titanium. I have decent-sized wrists at 185mm so that the U3 would have looked fine, but I chose the S11 with the Milanese loop in 42mm guise. I had a Fitbit, which was brilliantly small, and I wanted a smaller A Watch, especially for business dress, so it would look okay under a shirt cuff. It passes all the tests.

 

[Adelphos33]

Honestly, I have wondered exactly why I ever bought an Apple Watch. Then again, I am a watch person, however, more mechanical watches.

So, to answer your question, mainly for checking the time. I do have notifications on for Messages and Phone calls, that's it, no other notifications...

As almost everyone has indicated, the main benefit of the Apple Watch is workout tracking and health stuff. Notifications are good, but you should be using the workout and health features to get the full benefit of the watch

 

[circatee]

As almost everyone has indicated, the main benefit of the Apple Watch is workout tracking and health stuff. Notifications are good, but you should be using the workout and health features to get the full benefit of the watch

Touché. But, I can also use it as a watch, too...

PS: Humans kept fit just fine before Apple Watches came along 🤣

 

[Adelphos33]

Found another use - on a weekend trip right now and in another town. Walking around with my wife - set the hotel as waypoint and can use it to walk back to hotel on the Waypoint watch face on the Ultra. Kind of gimmicky, but useful nonetheless

 

[boswald]

Sleep tracking, health issue tracking, telling time mostly.

 

[iHorseHead]

I've been without my Apple Watch for a week. I've realised I don't really need it.

 

[Adelphos33]

I've been without my Apple Watch for a week. I've realised I don't really need it.

If it’s not for you, it’s not for you. It is my second most used product after the iPhone. You don’t need to own every product from Apple. Sell it, give it to a family member, whatever, and move on.

 

[NastyMatt]

I had a S4 and then a S6, the S6 recently broke and I went about 3 months without an AW. Yes - I could go without one but there were just a few things I missed - heart rate on runs, having to take my phone on a run, sneaky looking at the time or notifications in meetings/cinema etc easily seeing steps and share prices. Not having to use my phone for football match timing.

Just general stuff that “can” be done on a phone (apart from HR) but easier on a watch.

 

[bakron1]

I am almost 70 and discovered I had heart disease in 2016 and had an earlier version of the Apple watch and the heart monitoring functions were not that good at the time. But, I just went and bought the new Ultra 3 black with the Titanium Loop band and paired it to my iPhone 17 Air and I love the watch, the newer heart functions are fantastic and I have the heart beat function as part of my watch face. I also have an ICD implant and the new technology is fantastic and I am taking advantage of it.

 

[ab2c4]

Time, date, weather, notifications, daily step total, workout (for outdoor walk), timer, controlling music, find my iphone (I often can't remember where I left it in the house lol) and occasionally phone call or walkie talkie.