How to Double Tap on the Ultra 2 and Series 9 Apple Watches

Apple unveiled the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 during the September 2023 Wonderlust event. Since the last several incarnations of the Apple Watch haven't been all that impressive, the S9 processor is the sole internal upgrade available for the new Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. But one software innovation in particular has everyone talking: the new Double Tap gesture. Apple has finally enabled this capability with the watchOS 10.1 software, even though it was not available with the original release of watchOS 10. Here is how to enable the Double Tap function on your Apple Watch and discover all of its possibilities.

What is the Double Tap feature on the Apple Watch?

Using Double Tap, a new gesture-based feature, you can squeeze your thumb and index finger to manage your Apple Watch's features. It is limited to the Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2, as previously stated. This function measures the variations in blood flow via your wrist to identify the double tap by using the accelerometer, gyroscope, and heart rate sensor.

Although AssistiveTouch was previously available on the Apple Watch, this new function builds on it by using the new S9 SiP that is included in the most recent Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Essentially, Apple wants to make it simpler for you to use your Apple Watch and navigate through its features when you just have your free hand while wearing the device. When lugging groceries, holding mugs of coffee, or walking your dog, the Apple Watch's Double Tap function may come in handy.

How to Enable Double Tap on the Series 9 and Ultra 2 Apple Watches

In contrast to other options, you have to explicitly activate the Double Tap gesture on your Apple Watch in order to enjoy the function. You may use the Watch app on your iPhone or your watch to activate the Double Tap gesture. Here's how to do it:

Regarding Apple Watch

• Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch, then tap the Gestures option.
• Here, select the Double Tap option at the top, then tap the toggle next to Double Tap to turn it on.

• If prompted, tap the Turn off Accessibility Features button at the bottom of the on-screen alert.
• Now, scroll down and choose your preferred settings for “Playback” (Play/ Pause or Skip) and “Smart Stack” (Advance or Select) for the double tap gesture.

Using an iPhone

• Open the Watch app on your iPhone, then tap on “Gestures” under the My Watch tab.
• Here, tap the Double Tap option and toggle on the Double Tap feature.
• If prompted, tap the Turn off Accessibility Features button in the pop-up message.
• Now, choose your preferred “Playback” (Play/Pause or Skip) and “Smart Stack” (Advance or Select) settings.

Apps for the Double Tap feature on Apple Watch

In other words, the Double Tap gesture may be used anywhere in the watchOS interface, including alerts and apps, and it does away with the need to touch or tap the Apple Watch's main button on the screen to interact with it. For example:

• You can use the double tap gesture to play and pause the music when listening to Apple Music, Spotify, or YouTube Music.
• When receiving a call, you can double-tap to pick it up and double tap again to hang up when you are done.
• If you have a timer running on your Apple Watch, you can pause the timer using the double tap gesture and resume the countdown by doing the same.
• As watchOS 10 adds widgets support to your Apple Watch, the double tap gesture can invoke the smart stack from the watch face and navigate through it.
• And here’s my personal favorite, you can reply with a voice message to a received text with a double tap. Check out the Double Tap feature in action on Adibri’s YouTube channel:

To activate the Double Tap gesture on your Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2, follow these steps. Even though the capability is only available on Apple Watch models with the S9 processor, owners of Series 4 and later devices may still use AssistiveTouch, a comparable but less functional accessibility tool. Here's how to get Apple Watch 9's Double-Tap gesture on Galaxy Watches if you're an Android user and feel like you're losing out on this functionality.