Use the buttons and screen on your Apple Watch

Learn how to interact with your Apple Watch using the Digital Crown, side button, and gestures.

Press or turn the Digital Crown

Apple Watch showing the Digital Crown

If you haven't updated watchOS, learn how to use the Digital Crown.

Press the side button

Apple Watch showing the side button

If you have Apple Watch Ultra or later, you can customize the Action button to access your favorite features quickly.

If you haven't updated watchOS, learn how to use the side button.

Glance at your Apple Watch screen

With Apple Watch Series 5 or later, you can glance at your screen any time with the Always On feature. If you have an earlier Apple Watch model, or if you don't use Always On, raise your wrist to turn on the display.

You can also wake your screen gradually to keep its brightness low in places such as movie theaters. Turn the Digital Crown slowly to wake the screen, then turn it the other way to put the screen back to sleep.

Use gestures

You can use gestures to interact with your Apple Watch. Your watch performs different functions when you tap its screen or press it for a longer time.

Tap

Person tapping their finger on Apple Watch screen

Tap the screen to select a button or item. On Apple Watch models with Always On, a tap brings the screen to full brightness.

Tap and hold

Person tapping and holding on the Apple Watch screen

Tap the screen and keep your finger in place to change the watch face, see options in an app, and more.

Drag

Person dragging their finger across Apple Watch screen

Drag your finger across the screen to scroll or adjust a slider.

Swipe

Person swiping their finger across Apple Watch screen

Swipe up, down, left, or right to see different screens.

If you haven't updated watchOS

Here's how to interact with the Digital Crown and side button with watchOS 9 and earlier.

Press or turn the Digital Crown:

Press the side button:

If you have Apple Watch Ultra, you can customize the Action button to access your favorite features quickly.

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