The addition of the Double Tap gesture to the two models was one of the main attractions of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 presentation. Put simply, you can use one hand to operate the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 by squeezing your index and thumb fingers twice, without actually touching the screen, thanks to the new double tap gesture. We found a workaround that lets you perform the double tap-like motion on earlier Apple Watch models, even though Apple reserved this functionality for its most recent models. To activate the Double Tap gesture on Apple Watch Series 8 or lower devices, continue reading.
On Older Apple Watches, Enable and Use the Double Tap Gesture
Apple said that the S9 SiP's improved neural engine, which can more effectively analyze data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart rate sensor, is the sole reason the double tap gesture is feasible. Nonetheless, the double tap-like motion may be enabled and used by anybody with an Apple Watch Series 3 or later model to allow the capability for many of the same use cases immediately. Actually, Galaxy Watches also support the Double Tap gesture from the Apple Watch 9.
Through Swift Measures
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone and select the Accessibility option.
- Here, scroll down and tap the Quick Actions option in the Motor section.
- Now, choose the ON option at the top and you are done.
These days, your Apple Watch will encourage you to Double Pinch to carry out a certain short action, such accepting calls, playing and stopping music, taking a picture with the camera shutter, and more, whenever one is available.
Additionally, you may use a double pinch/tap to choose a button with a blue outline that will display on your Apple Watch screen in case you miss a prompt.
I've been using this function for a time now and have found that it works well for most situations. I was also able to utilize the double tap/pinch gesture to rapidly answer calls on my Apple Watch Series 7. This fast movement was also how I operated the exercise, music playing, and camera shutter.
On the Apple Watch Series 7, the double touch gesture prompt looks like this:
Through AssistiveTouch
Although the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 are the only models with the new double tap gesture, the Apple Watch has always had Assistive Touch, a fully functional gesture control. You may design different motions to operate your Apple Watch with Assistive Touch, elevating the experience of gesture control on the watch. Here's how to do it:
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone and select the Accessibility option.
- Here, scroll down and tap the Quick Actions option in the Motor section.
- Now, toggle ON AssitiveTouch.
- Tap the Hand Gestures option in the Inputs section, then toggle on Hand Gestures.
- Here, you can customize what actions you can perform using gestures like Pinch, Double Pinch, Clench, and Double Clench.
On your Apple Watch, the default motion to enable AssistiveTouch is Double Clench. However, you may modify this by selecting it from the Hand Gestures menu's bottom.
What do you think of the Apple Watch's gesture control? Have you used AssistiveTouch or Quick Action on your Apple Watch? How are you going to personalize motions using the Assistive touch? or In order to use the double tap gesture, are you going to upgrade to the Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2? Leave us a note with your answer!
Pinch the index and thumb fingers on the hand that you wear the Apple Watch twice to double tap it.
Open the Watch App on your iPhone, then choose Gestures > Double Tap > Toggle On Double Tap.
Verify that your Apple Watch is set to double tap. Make sure that every assistive touch function is off as well.