The Apple Watch is an incredible piece of technology that has revolutionized the way we interact with our smart devices. With its sleek design and powerful features, it’s no wonder that millions of people around the world rely on it for various purposes. One such feature that has gained immense popularity is the AssistiveTouch functionality, which allows users to control their Apple Watch using hand gestures. In this guide, we discuss the ins and outs of AssistiveTouch Gestures, how to enable it on your Apple Watch, and how to customize it to suit your specific needs.
What is AssistiveTouch?
AssistiveTouch is a feature designed by Apple to help users with motor impairments interact more easily with their devices. It was first introduced on the iPhone and has since been integrated into the Apple Watch, allowing users to control their watches using hand gestures rather than needing to touch the screen or press buttons.
This feature is particularly useful for those who have difficulty touching the screen or pressing buttons but it can also be a convenient alternative for anyone who wishes to control their Apple Watch using gestures.
How to Enable AssistiveTouch on Your Apple Watch
Before you can start using AssistiveTouch on your Apple Watch, you need to enable the feature. There are several ways to do this.
Enable AssistiveTouch Via the Apple Watch Settings
- Launch the Settings application on your Apple Watch by tapping the gear icon on your watch face.
- Scroll down and select the ‘Accessibility’ option.
- Look for ‘AssistiveTouch’ in the list and tap on it.
- Toggle the switch next to ‘AssistiveTouch’ to activate the feature.
When prompted, confirm your choice by tapping ‘OK’. Alternatively, you can select ‘Try It Out’ for a visual guide on how AssistiveTouch works.
Enable AssistiveTouch Using Siri
Another way to enable AssistiveTouch is by using Siri, Apple’s intelligent personal assistant. To do this, simply raise your wrist and say, “Hey Siri, turn on AssistiveTouch.” Siri will then enable the feature for you without the need to navigate through the Settings menu.
Enable AssistiveTouch Via the Apple Watch App on Your iPhone
For a more detailed setup and customization experience, you can enable AssistiveTouch through the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Here’s how:
- Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
- Go to the ‘My Watch’ tab.
- Scroll down and tap on ‘Accessibility’.
- Find ‘AssistiveTouch’ and tap on it.
- Toggle the switch next to ‘AssistiveTouch’ to activate the feature.
- Customize AssistiveTouch features as desired (more on this later).
How to Use AssistiveTouch on Your Apple Watch
Once you have enabled AssistiveTouch, you can start controlling your Apple Watch using hand gestures. When the feature is active, a blue halo will appear around the watch screen to indicate that AssistiveTouch is ready for use.
To trigger AssistiveTouch, quickly clench your fist twice. You can change the color of the halo by navigating to Accessibility > AssistiveTouch > Color in the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
Basic Hand Gestures
AssistiveTouch comes with a set of basic hand gestures that allow you to navigate your Apple Watch with ease. Here’s a rundown of these default gestures:
| Gesture | Action | Result |
| Pinch | Tap the index finger to thumb | Move to the next item on the screen |
| Double Pinch | Double pinch with quick succession by tapping index finger to thumb | Go back one item |
| Clench | Clenching your hand into a fist | Select an item |
| Double Clench | Perform a double clench with rapid fist-making. | Access the action menu |
The action menu provides a range of options that can be executed via AssistiveTouch, such as scrolling, activating the Digital Crown, and more.
How to Customize AssistiveTouch Hand Gestures
If you’d like to customize the AssistiveTouch gestures, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch or the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
- Go to Accessibility > AssistiveTouch.
- Tap on Hand Gestures.
- Select a gesture you’d like to customize. Then, choose the action you want it to perform when you gesture with your hand.
You can also customize the hand gesture that activates AssistiveTouch by navigating to Accessibility > AssistiveTouch > Hand Gestures > Activation Gesture.
Auto Scanning and Manual Scanning
AssistiveTouch offers two scanning styles to help you navigate your Apple Watch: Auto Scanning and Manual Scanning. These options can be found under Settings > Accessibility > AssistiveTouch > Scanning Style.
Auto Scanning
With Auto Scanning enabled, your Apple Watch will automatically cycle through items on the screen without the need for hand gestures. The default gestures for Auto Scanning are as follows:
| Pinch | To access the action menu. |
| Double Pinch | To reverse the scanning direction. |
While using Auto Scanning, a clench or double clench will perform the action that you’ve previously assigned to these gestures.
Manual Scanning
Manual Scanning allows you to use hand gestures to control when AssistiveTouch moves to the next screen item and when an item is selected. To use Manual Scanning, simply perform the pinch and double pinch gestures as described earlier in the Basic Hand Gestures section.
The Motion Pointer
A unique feature of AssistiveTouch is the motion pointer, which appears as a circular icon on your Apple Watch screen and can be controlled by tilting your wrist.
To activate the motion pointer, either shake your wrist or access it through the action menu. You can enable Dwell Control for the motion pointer by going to Settings > Accessibility > AssistiveTouch > Motion Pointer > Dwell Control on your Apple Watch.
The Action Menu
The action menu serves as a dynamic directory of tasks you can execute on your Apple Watch using AssistiveTouch. It is context-sensitive, meaning it adjusts its display based on your current usage of the watch. To access the action menu, perform the associated hand gesture (by default, the double clench).
Once the action menu is open, you can navigate through the list of items and select an action using the previously described hand gestures.
Customizing the Action Menu
To personalize the AssistiveTouch action menu, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > AssistiveTouch > Customize Menu on your Apple Watch.
- Under ‘Favorites’, tap ‘Add Action’ and select the action you’d like to include in the action menu.
- Choose the location where you want the action menu to be displayed.
- If you prefer, enable a larger menu size for easier navigation.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, AssistiveTouch is a powerful feature that allows you to control your Apple Watch using hand gestures. With this guide, you should now have a solid understanding of how to enable and customize AssistiveTouch to suit your needs. Give it a try and discover the convenience and accessibility that AssistiveTouch offers.
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