Updating your Apple Watch is easy. Finding all the useful changes that come with the update? That can take a little longer.
With watchOS 27, Apple has introduced several features designed to make everyday tasks more convenient, workouts more informative, and important information easier to access. Some are easy to notice straight away, while others are worth exploring in your settings or daily routine.
If you have recently updated your Apple Watch, here are five watchOS 27 features worth trying first, along with a few tips to help you get more out of your watch.
1. Try the New One-Handed Tap Gesture
Ever needed to check something on your Apple Watch while your other hand was occupied? watchOS 27 introduces a new single tap gesture that lets you select a widget in the Smart Stack by tapping your index finger and thumb together once.
It is designed for moments when using your other hand is inconvenient, making it easier to interact with useful information on your wrist.
How to use it
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Raise your wrist or turn the Digital Crown to open the Smart Stack.
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Browse the available widgets.
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Tap your index finger and thumb together once to select a widget.
The gesture is intended to make Smart Stack interactions easier when your other hand is busy. Gesture availability depends on your Apple Watch model and settings, so check Apple's instructions if it does not work on your device.
Why we like it: Small changes can make a big difference when you use your watch throughout the day. It is a handy feature to try when walking, carrying something, or going about your usual routine.
2. Explore the Updated Find My App
If you have ever spent time looking for your iPhone, AirPods, or another item, this is a useful update to know about.
In watchOS 27, Find My brings People, Devices, and Items together in one app, with a map-focused interface. Instead of navigating between separate sections or apps, you can access the things you want to locate in one place.
How to use it
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Open the Find My app on your Apple Watch.
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Choose the relevant person, device, or item.
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Follow the available on-screen information to help locate it.
The options available depend on the item, your connected devices, and regional support.
Why we like it: Convenience is one of the main reasons people wear an Apple Watch. Having a more unified way to locate important items makes the watch useful for more than notifications and fitness tracking.
3. Give Workout Buddy a Try
If you use your Apple Watch to track your runs or other workouts, Workout Buddy offers personalised motivation and insights based on your fitness data.
With watchOS 27, Workout Buddy provides insights related to your progress, including pace, distance, and workout duration. It can also work without your iPhone nearby when your watch has a Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
Rather than simply recording your workout, it aims to give you more context about how you are doing.
How to try it
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Make sure your Apple Watch and iPhone support the feature and meet its requirements.
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Check that Workout Buddy and the required fitness features are available in your region and language.
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Start a supported workout and follow the available prompts to access Workout Buddy.
Workout Buddy is currently available in English and Spanish. Availability depends on supported devices, settings, and the required Apple Intelligence and fitness integrations.
Why we like it: Fitness tracking is more useful when it helps you understand your progress. Personalised feedback can be encouraging, particularly if you are trying to build a consistent routine rather than focusing on a single workout.
And if you exercise regularly, do not overlook the basics: your watch should fit comfortably and stay secure while you move. A band suited to your workout can help make wearing your Apple Watch feel more natural.
4. Get More Accurate Indoor Workout Tracking
Not every workout happens outdoors. If you regularly walk or run on a treadmill, watchOS 27 brings improved motion tracking to help measure treadmill distance more accurately from the beginning of a workout.
This is useful because indoor workouts do not rely on the same GPS route information available during an outdoor run. More accurate motion-based measurements can help make your recorded distance more useful over time.
How to make the most of it
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Open the Workout app on your Apple Watch.
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Select Indoor Walk or Indoor Run, depending on your activity.
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Start your workout and let your watch record your movement.
You do not need to turn on a separate feature specifically for the improved distance calculations; the improvements are part of watchOS 27. Results can still vary depending on the workout and how you wear your watch.
Why we like it: The best fitness improvements are often the ones that help your existing habits work better. If you regularly train indoors, more reliable distance tracking can make it easier to follow your progress.
For a more comfortable workout, choose a band that suits your activity and fits securely without feeling too tight. Comfort matters when your watch is tracking a short walk as well as a longer training session.
5. Add a Live Step Count to Your Watch Face
For people who like keeping an eye on daily activity, watchOS 27 brings a new Steps complication that displays step counts in real time on supported watch faces.
A complication is the small information display you can add to a watch face, alongside details such as the date, weather, or activity progress. With a step count visible at a glance, you can check your daily movement without opening another app.
How to set it up
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Touch and hold your current watch face.
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Tap Edit, then swipe to the complications section if your face supports it.
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Select an available complication slot.
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Look for the Steps complication and choose it, then press the Digital Crown to save your changes.
Important: Apple lists the new Steps complication for Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. Other supported models may still let you view step information through the Fitness or other supported apps, but the new watch-face complication is not available on every model.
Why we like it: Making useful information visible can be a simple way to stay aware of your daily activity. If you enjoy setting movement goals, a quick glance at your steps can be a helpful reminder to get up and move.
A Few More watchOS 27 Changes Worth Exploring
Once you have tried these five features, there are a few other changes worth checking out:
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Dynamic app grid: Your most-used and recently used apps receive more attention, making them easier to find.
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Smart Stack suggestions: Your watch can surface relevant widgets based on context, including birthday reminders and your parked car's location.
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Faster music playback: Music playback starts more quickly.
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Liquid Glass refinements: Interface improvements aim to improve readability and contrast.
Some features are restricted to particular models, languages, or regions, so your experience may differ from someone using another Apple Watch.
Make Your Apple Watch Feel Like Your Own
A software update can change how you use your Apple Watch, but personalising the experience does not stop at the screen.
Your watch may be part of your morning routine, your workouts, your workday, and your weekends. Choosing a band that fits your style and feels comfortable for your routine is another simple way to make it feel more personal.
You might prefer a versatile everyday look, a band that complements your favourite outfits, or a different style for when you want to change things up. The point is to make your Apple Watch work for your lifestyle.
At ChicStraps, we believe an everyday accessory should be practical while still reflecting your personal style. Once you have explored the new features in watchOS 27, why not give your watch a style refresh, too?
Explore the ChicStraps Apple Watch band collection to find a band that suits your everyday look.
For official feature details and compatibility information, visit Apple's watchOS 27 guide and watchOS 27 feature page.