Use Keynote with your Apple Watch

You can control your Keynote presentation with your Apple Watch.

Get started

Here's what you need:

  • Your paired Apple Watch and iPhone.

  • Keynote for iOS 2.5.3 or later on your iPhone. Open Keynote for iOS 2.5.3 or later on your iPhone at least once before you use Keynote on Apple Watch.

  • Keynote on your Apple Watch. Use the Apple Watch app on your iPhone to install the latest version of Keynote. To make sure the app installed, open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, tap Keynote, then tap Show App on Apple Watch.

Keynote works best with these settings on your Apple Watch:

  1. On your Apple Watch, tap Settings on the Home screen.

  2. Tap General, then tap Wake Screen.

  3. Scroll down, then tap Keynote.

  4. Tap Custom, then tap After Crown Press.

You can also check these settings from your iPhone:

  1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and tap the My Watch tab.

  2. Tap General, scroll down, then tap Wake Screen.

  3. Scroll down, then tap Keynote.

  4. Tap Custom, then tap After Crown Press.

Control a Keynote presentation from your Apple Watch

Your Apple Watch can control a presentation on your iPhone if:

  • Your iPhone is connected to an external display using an adapter or AirPlay.

  • There are no presentation devices, such as your Mac or iPad, paired with Keynote for iOS on your iPhone.

  • You have a presentation open or already playing in Keynote for iOS on your iPhone.

You can also use your Apple Watch to control presentations on another device, such as your Mac, if:

  • Keynote for iOS is open to the Keynote Remote screen.

  • There is a presentation device, such as your Mac or iPad, paired with Keynote for iOS on your iPhone, your iPhone isn't connected to an external display using an adapter or AirPlay, and you don't have a presentation open or playing in Keynote for iOS on your iPhone.

Learn how to pair a presentation device with Keynote for iOS on your iPhone.

Play a presentation or go to the next slide or build

When your Keynote presentation is ready, open the Keynote app on Apple Watch:

  • If you need to start the slideshow, you'll see the Play buttonPlay button. Tap the Play buttonPlay to start the presentation.

  • If the slideshow is playing, you'll see the Next buttonNext button. Tap the Next buttonNext to go to the next slide or build.

Go back or exit a presentation

Firmly press the screen to see these options:

  • Tap the Back buttonBack button to go to the previous slide or reset the builds on the current slide.

  • Tap the Exit buttonExit button to end the slideshow.

If you select the Back buttonBack, you'll see both the Back button and the Next buttonNext on your Apple Watch until you end the Keynote or your Apple Watch goes to sleep.

Published Date: