Use buttons and gestures on your Apple Watch
Learn how to interact with your Apple Watch using the Digital Crown, side button, Action button, and gestures.
Press or turn the Digital Crown
Press to see the watch face.
From the watch face, press to browse the apps on the Home Screen.
Double-click to open the App Switcher.
Press and hold to use Siri.
Turn while on the watch face to use the Smart Stack.
Turn to zoom, scroll, or adjust what's on the screen.
Press and hold to unlock the screen after a water workout.
The Digital Crown works differently if you're using an earlier version of watchOS.
Press the side button
Press to show or hide Control Center.
Press and hold to use Emergency SOS.
Double-click to use Apple Pay.
Press and hold to turn your watch on or off.
The side button works differently if you're using an earlier version of watchOS.
Press the Action button on Apple Watch Ultra
If you have Apple Watch Ultra, you can customize the Action button on the left side of the watch to access your favorite features quickly. You can also press and hold the Action button to activate the siren or access your Medical ID, Compass Backtrack, and Emergency SOS Call.
Use taps and gestures
You can use taps and gestures to interact with your Apple Watch.
Tap
Tap the screen to select a button or item. On Apple Watch models with Always On, a tap also brings the screen to full brightness.
Tap and hold
Tap the screen and keep your finger in place to change the watch face, see options in an app, and more.
Drag
Drag your finger across the screen to scroll or adjust a slider.
Swipe
Swipe up, down, left, or right to see different screens.
Double tap gesture
Tap your index finger and thumb together twice to perform common actions on Apple Watch.
Wrist flick gesture
Quickly turn your wrist away from you and back to dismiss notifications, timers, calls, and more.
Double tap and wrist flick gestures are available for Apple Watch Series 9 and later, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later.
If you haven't updated to watchOS 10 or later
Here's how to interact with the Digital Crown and side button with watchOS 9 and earlier.
Press or turn the Digital Crown:
Press to see the watch face or Home Screen.
Double-click to return to the last app.
Press and hold to use Siri.
Turn to zoom, scroll, or adjust what's on the screen.
Press and hold to unlock the screen after a water workout.
Press the side button:
Press to show or hide the Dock.
Press and hold to use Emergency SOS.
Double-click to use Apple Pay.
Press and hold to turn your watch on or off.
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