How to control your iPhone or iPad with your Apple Watch in watchOS 9

This section gives you step by step instructions on how to control nearby devices using your Apple Watch, with pictures of the screens to help.

1. To open the Settings app, press the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch. If your apps are displayed as icons, tap the Settings icon . If your apps are displayed in a list, scroll down and tap Settings.

2. On the Settings screen, scroll down and tap Accessibility.

3. On the Accessibility screen, scroll down and tap Control Nearby Devices.

4. On the next screen, your watch will list all nearby devices. Tap the name of the device you want to control. Note: You may need to press the power button on the iPhone or iPad you want to control before it shows up in the list.

5. Once connected to your iPhone or iPad, your Apple Watch will display buttons that control the following functions on your iPhone. 

There is also a button to open an Options menu . The options menu contains all the above buttons (with labels), plus controls for media playback and volume and hand-gestures.

6. To control media playback using your Apple Watch, press the Options button . On the Options screen, scroll down to the Media section. You will see the following media controls:

7. You can set up hand gestures, such as pinching your fingers and clenching your wrist, to perform specific actions. These gestures can be performed from the main control screen. 

To set up hand gestures, tap the Options button.

On the Options screen, scroll down to the Hand Gestures section. Tap one of the gestures, then choose which action the gesture will perform.

To return to the main control screen, press the Done button.

8. To stop controlling a nearby device, tap the Done button at the top of the main control screen.