How to Use AssistiveTouch on Apple Watch

Jan. 25, 2022



As someone who has usedAssistiveTouch on iPhonefor a long time and found it really helpful for performing various tasks with ease, I’m excited to get AssistiveTouch on Apple Watch. Thanks to the ability to perform several actions with quick gestures, it has added a new dimension to watchOS. Though this Accessibility feature is developed keeping in mind the people with limb differences, anyone can make the most of this useful tool to perform certain tasks like invoking Siri, pressing the side button, and even paying with Apple Pay more conveniently. So, if you wish to set up and use use AssistiveTouch on your Apple Watch and also customize it in line with your preference, let me help you get started.

How to Enable and Use AssistiveTouch on Apple Watch

How to Enable and Use AssistiveTouch on Apple Watch

Being a gesture-based tool, AssistiveTouch offers a ton of customization. Moreover, it also provides you the needed flexibility to pair each gesture with a specific action. But before going that far, it would be better to check out the requirements and also find out how it works on Apple Watch.

AssistiveTouch has arrived inwatchOS 8. So, make sure your Apple Watch is running watchOS 8 or later to be able to use this Accessibility feature. As for the hardware requirement, AssistiveTouch supports Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 6, and later.

Designed for people with limb differences, AssistiveTouch lets you perform many actions through hand gestures or by tilting the smartwatch. Using the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart rate sensors, this Accessibility feature is able to work efficiently in sync with gestures. Here are some of the most notable actions you can perform using AssistiveTouch on your watchOS device:

  1. Open theWatch appon your paired iPhone. Now, ensure that theMy Watch tabat the bottom left corner of the screen is selected. After that, scroll down and chooseAccessibility.

  2. Now, tapAssistiveTouchand turn on the toggle forAssistiveTouch.

Hand gestures are an integral part of AssistiveTouch. So, make sure it’s enabled.

  1. Launch theWatch appon your iOS device-> Accessibility -> AssistiveTouch.

  2. Now, tapHand Gesturesand then turn on the switch next toHand Gestures. There are four hand gestures that you can perform on your watchOS device:

As hand gestures are fully customizable, you can tweak them in accordance with your convenience.

  1. Open theWatch appon your iOS device-> Accessibility -> AssistiveTouch -> Hand Gestures.

  2. Under theCustomize Gesturessection, you have four options:

Now, select the desired hand gesture and then choose the preferred action from several options. For example, you can use the pinch gesture to access the control center and even invoke Siri.

  1. You can performActivation Gestureafter the display turns on to activate AssistiveTouch. Tap on it and then choose the preferredActivation Gesture like Double Clench and Double Pinch. Make sure to keep the switch next toVisual Signalenabled.

  2. At the bottom of this screen isQuick Actionsthat allow you to double-clench to perform the quick action (certain task) or double-pinch to dismiss. Tap on theQuick Actionsoption and then make sure it’s enabled. Besides, I would recommend you to keep theAutoscroll Full Notificationstoggle turned on.

With Motion Pointer, you can control your Apple Watch by tilting the smartwatch up and down and side to side.

  1. OpenWatch app on your iPhone -> Accessibility -> AssistiveTouch.

  2. Now, tapMotion Pointer.

  3. On this screen, you can adjustAssistiveTouchmotion pointer sensitivity, activation time, movement tolerance, hot edges, and dwell control.

For enhanced control, AssistiveTouch supports both automatic and manual scanning. Besides, it also allows you to adjust the speed of auto scanning.

  1. OpenWatch appon your iPhone-> Accessibility -> AssistiveTouch.

  2. Now, tapScanning Style.

  3. Here, you have two options to choose from:

If you select Auto Scanning, you will get the option to choose from three auto scanning speed such asSlow, Medium, and Fast.

If you want to further personalize AssistiveTouch, I would recommend you to tweak the color.

  1. OpenWatch appon your iPhone-> Accessibility -> AssistiveTouch.

  2. Under theAppearancesection, turn on the toggle forHigh Contrast. Then, tapColorand then choose the desired color forAssistiveTouch.

You can also customize AssistiveTouch menu on your Apple Watch. For instance, you can choose favorite actions, adjust the size of the Action Menu and even tweak the autoscroll speed.

  1. OpenWatch app on your iPhone -> Accessibility -> AssistiveTouch.

  2. Now, tapCustomize Menuand then fine-tune theAssistiveTouch menuas per your needs.

You can use AssistiveTouch on your Apple Watch to confirm purchases with Apple Pay or any time double-clicking the side button is required.

  1. OpenWatch app on your iPhone -> Accessibility -> AssistiveTouch.

  2. Under theSide Button Confirmationsection, tapEnable Confirm with AssistiveTouch. Then, tapContinue on Apple Watchto confirm.

There you have it! So, that’s how you can set up and customize AssistiveTouch on your Apple Watch. In terms of functionality, I have found the AssistiveTouch quite intuitive. Both the hand gestures and Motion Ponter functionality work pretty reliability. The best part about it is the wide range of customization that allows you to fine-tune all the gestures for a more personalized experience. Well, what do you have to say about the AssistiveTouch on Apple Watch? Make sure to shoot your feedback in the comments section below.

An old school bibliophile who turned a tech nerd out of obsession. When he is not digging into hacks and tracking down stories that are breaking the internet, you may find him reciting poems.

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