OwnloopDid you know you could control your Apple Watch by pinching your fingers or clenching your fist? It's a powerful accessibility feature for those with disabilities or limb differences — but it also adds real convenience for everyone. Here's how to control your Apple Watch without ever touching the screen.
Activating AssistiveTouch
To start using hand gestures, you first need to activate AssistiveTouch (available on Apple Watch Series 4 and later, and Apple Watch SE). Follow these steps:
- Open Settings on your Apple Watch
- Scroll down and tap Accessibility
- Scroll down to AssistiveTouch
- Select AssistiveTouch and toggle it on
- Scroll down and ensure Hand Gestures is also toggled on
Once activated, you can initiate the interface at any time by double clenching your fist. A blue ring outline will appear on your watch to confirm it's active.
AssistiveTouch Control Basics
AssistiveTouch uses four hand gestures to control your watch. The default actions are designed to give you full control without using your other hand — but you can customize each gesture for convenient shortcuts too.
- Pinch: Forwards
- Double pinch: Backwards
- Clench: Tap
- Double clench: Action Menu
The Action Menu brings up quick actions like scrolling up or down, or virtually pressing the Digital Crown. Give it a try!
Tips for Mastering AssistiveTouch
1. Customize Your Action Menu with Favorites
Go to your AssistiveTouch settings, select Customize Menu, then Add Action. You can add actions like opening Apple Pay, Motion Pointer, or activating Siri for even faster access.
2. Quickly Interact with Your Screen Using Motion Pointer
Motion Pointer turns your wrist into a computer mouse — just tilt to control it. Activate it through your Action Menu, or enable Shake to Start by going to AssistiveTouch settings > Motion Pointer > Dwell Control and toggling on Shake to Start.
3. Use Confirm with AssistiveTouch
Enable Confirm with AssistiveTouch from the AssistiveTouch settings menu to confirm payments, downloads, and other transactions using hand gestures — just double clench your fist.
4. Customize Your Gestures for Fast Control
Not a fan of the default gesture actions? Customize them! Open AssistiveTouch settings, tap Hand Gestures, and assign any of the four gestures to actions like Siri, Apple Pay, Motion Pointer, or anything in your Action Menu. As long as you keep a way to activate Motion Pointer, you retain complete control of your Apple Watch hands-free.
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