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Original poster

Apple Watch - help!

23 replies

tobee · 02/12/2022 16:48

So my Apple Watch SE arrived last night.

Any recommendations for a YouTube video on how to get the most of it? Im not a fitness/health monitoring person but might/hope get into using fitness tracker I don't fancy alerts about my pulse rate etc as health anxiety

Also I automatically set a passcode. But do I need it? Will it hinder using Apple Pay etc? I don't want to hold everyone up going through tube barriers etc (I was always a bit rubbish using my phone for this). Or is the passcode essential for security?

Basically, I love gadgets but quite un tech savvy. I'm not a one for measuring my swimming laps/comparing running times etc.

Tia

OP posts:
Original poster
tobee · 02/12/2022 16:50

Oh and I got cellular

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LillyBugg · 02/12/2022 16:55

I'm still getting used to mine but pretty sure the passcode is only required when you first put it on. So you won't be holding up queues etc Smile

I got mine to reduce my screen time. It worked at first, but old habits die hard! I'm hoping you get some really useful replies, I feel like I don't use mine to its full capacity.

I am a lot less anxious about missing phone calls when my kids are in school though. Because it will buzz on my wrist so I don't need my phone right there all the time. That alone made it worth it for me to be honest.

NerrSnerr · 02/12/2022 17:05

I am a lot less anxious about missing phone calls when my kids are in school though. Because it will buzz on my wrist so I don't need my phone right there all the time. That alone made it worth it for me to be honest.

This is the same for me. I once missed a call when I was in a meeting and my husband was abroad and didn't get it for an hour so I find it useful just to glance at my watch and now know if I need to excuse myself.

I also use it multiple times a day to locate my phone.

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Exercise & fitness Fitness
user175438765 · 02/12/2022 17:11

The passcode is for security so other people cannot wear your watch and get access to your stuff, you do not need it for Apple Pay, it is just something you put in when you put it on. You can turn off the heart rate alerts, I have mine off and I don't use the ecg function. I just have the heart rate monitor going in the background.

Nospringchickendipper · 02/12/2022 17:13

I think the feature to locate your phone is the best thing on my Apple Watch.
I just wish it would find my glasses as well 😀

Original poster
tobee · 02/12/2022 17:39

Thanks for these replies!

So when I was initially looking at the watch last night it woke on lifting and then briefly showed watch face and then passcode popped up and then went to sleep and I had to wake it up again. And enter passcode. Although I was charging it not wearing it.

OP posts:
Original poster
tobee · 02/12/2022 17:40

Nospringchickendipper · 02/12/2022 17:13

I think the feature to locate your phone is the best thing on my Apple Watch.
I just wish it would find my glasses as well 😀

You could be one of those Apple AirTags! A snip at £35 for one!

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EduCated · 02/12/2022 17:42

tobee · 02/12/2022 17:39

Thanks for these replies!

So when I was initially looking at the watch last night it woke on lifting and then briefly showed watch face and then passcode popped up and then went to sleep and I had to wake it up again. And enter passcode. Although I was charging it not wearing it.

Once you’ve put it on your wrist, you will only be asked to put the passcode in once. It won’t ask again until you have taken it off (or I occasionally bodge mine enough that it thinks it’s been taken off).

tenderstembroccolispear · 02/12/2022 18:05

The passcode thing is just when it's off your wrist, or when you put it back on after charging. Although, if I put the watch back on, then do something on my phone (face ID enabled), it automatically recognises that the watch is safe with me and doesn't need the passcode.

I love mine for quickly checking notifications or calls while working (I'm a teacher so can't have my phone out), and also use it pretty much every day for setting timers via Siri, both for work and for cooking at home.

Original poster
tobee · 02/12/2022 18:28

Thanks everyone!

I'm a bit dim when it comes to these things Grin

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PollyAmour · 02/12/2022 18:29

Do any of you with Apple watches find it encourages you to exercise more? I would have to get one with an ankle strap because I work in healthcare and we have a bare below the elbow policy. I am keen to increase my fitness though, and someone suggested an Apple watch.

user175438765 · 02/12/2022 18:36

I use mine for opening my iMac, I find that very useful

tenderstembroccolispear · 02/12/2022 18:37

I had a Fitbit before I got my Apple watch, and it tracks things slightly differently. But if you're exercise-inclined anyway, it does give incentives, like reminders to stand and move, tracking regular movement and active calorie burn as well as traditional exercise minutes. 'Closing the rings' gives that little buzz of satisfaction.

LillyBugg · 02/12/2022 19:38

Oh goodness yes find my phone multiple times a day as well!!

I can't say it's motivated me with exercise. Except telling me to stand up once an hour, that seems to work.

I find the limited access to WhatsApp really annoying. I have my screen set so my notification doesn't show the whole message (for privacy) and I just don't find watch chat 2 or whatever it's called that great. Takes ages to connect. And doesn't work over cellular. I'd love some tips on getting this to work for me.

greenhousegal · 02/12/2022 20:01

Curious as to where the "find my phone" directs you to! Is it just your location as in your house somewhere, or is it more specific?

NerrSnerr · 02/12/2022 20:01

greenhousegal · 02/12/2022 20:01

Curious as to where the "find my phone" directs you to! Is it just your location as in your house somewhere, or is it more specific?

You can make your phone beep from your watch so you can find it.

Whycanineverever · 02/12/2022 20:03

As an aside you can set your iPhone up so that you don't need to click to tap
I'm on the tube / bus. You just hold phone against the scanner.

Original poster
tobee · 02/12/2022 20:59

I've got a few notification pings . But I'm not sure all of them are coming through? I set up my o2 new plan last night to include Apple Watch and its cellular. Do all notifications automatically come through however near or far from my phone if its cellular?

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Original poster
tobee · 02/12/2022 21:03

Interesting for me, but boring for everyone else, I've always worn wristwatches on my right arm even though I'm right handed so, at 54, and having worn watches for nearly 50 years I'll probably have to train myself to wear on the left hand so I can use the screen with my right hand

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Twospaniels · 02/12/2022 21:39

I have been using the ECG lot this last year as have had some palpitations. it was useful to be able to show the doctor

I also love the Minnie Mouse watch face as she tells you the time, says good morning etc and giggles occasionally (it’s the little things that amuse me 😁)

LillyBugg · 02/12/2022 21:42

I'm also a right wristed, right handed watch wearer!! Never met anyone like that before. I've switched to left for my Apple Watch and got used to it really quickly.

With the notifications I think you need to go into the Apple Watch app and select which notifications you want on. I turned off my emails because it was too annoying.

tothelefttotheleft · 02/12/2022 22:03

PollyAmour · 02/12/2022 18:29

Do any of you with Apple watches find it encourages you to exercise more? I would have to get one with an ankle strap because I work in healthcare and we have a bare below the elbow policy. I am keen to increase my fitness though, and someone suggested an Apple watch.

I think it's like most things like this. It does encourage you at first but it's easy to fall back to previous behaviours.

It does give you badges for move streaks etc. it depends if this kind of thing motivates you.

Original poster
tobee · 02/12/2022 22:38

LillyBugg · 02/12/2022 21:42

I'm also a right wristed, right handed watch wearer!! Never met anyone like that before. I've switched to left for my Apple Watch and got used to it really quickly.

With the notifications I think you need to go into the Apple Watch app and select which notifications you want on. I turned off my emails because it was too annoying.

Ah interesting!

I always found it useful in exams etc to look at the time mid writing!

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