One of the key new features of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 is a feature called “double tap” that allows users to control the wearable device by bringing their thumb and index finger together. While the feature’s full functionality and new interface are indeed limited to the latest hardware, anyone with an Apple Watch Series 3 and later can enable double-tap gestures to make the feature work for many of the same use cases now; Here’s how to do it.

Apple explains the new double-tap gesture for Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 as follows:

Thanks to the new double-tap gesture, users will be able to easily control Apple Watch Series 9 with one hand without touching the screen. Users can double-tap the watch face with their index finger and thumb to quickly and easily perform many of the most common actions on Apple Watch Series 9.

Apple says the new capability is made possible by the updated Neural Engine in the S9 SiP, which is better able to process data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart rate sensor. Apple does not immediately roll out the double-tap feature to new portable devices, but says the feature will come with a software update in October.

Although not exactly the same as the official double-tap feature, Apple had previously introduced special features for the Apple Watch Series 3, later called AssistiveTouch and Quick Actions. It allows anyone to control their watch using gestures like pinch, double pinch (same as double tap), pinch, and double pinch.

How to use double tap on any Apple Watch?

Option 1 – quick actions

1. open it watch app on your iPhone
2. Scroll down and Select Accessibility
3. Scroll down and Tap Quick Actions (in the “Engine” section).
4. Click Activate on top to open
5. Now that it’s available, It is recommended to squeeze the fingers twice To perform a quick transaction
6. If you missed the clue, pay attention to the blue-framed buttons; this means you can double squeeze/tap to select them

I found it worked with the Apple Watch Ultra most of the time, but sometimes I have to do a second double-tap gesture for it to recognize.

Quick actions are a good way to test what a double tap is. Does not include all features. For example, Apple showed that the official double-tap feature on the Series 9 and Ultra 2 includes the ability to switch from the watch view to the new widget UI, navigate between widgets, and do more with a double-tap gesture.

But most of the features are the same between Quick Actions, found on nearly every Apple Watch, and the new Double Tap, available only on the newest watches. This includes answering and ending calls, taking photos with the camera control app, managing workouts, and more.

Here are two examples of Quick Actions in use:

Option 2 – AssistiveTouch

It’s a full-featured motion control designed for those with upper limb differences, but anyone can use it. It’s not just quick actions and the upcoming double-tap feature.

It will take more time to learn, but it includes four gestures to control watchOS: pinch, double-pinch, double-pinch, and double-pinch. It also includes a gesture-based action menu that lets you control almost every aspect of the wearable.

1. open it watch app on your iPhone
2. Scroll down and Select Accessibility
3. Scroll down and Tap AssistiveTouch (under the engine)
4. Tap the switch at the top to turn it on
5. Tap now Hand gestures and open them at the top
6. You can now customize pinch, double pinch, squeeze and double squeeze actions
7. The default gesture and action menu for “activating” with AssistiveTouch is double pinch; you can change this at the bottom of the Gestures menu.

What do you think of gesture controls on Apple Watch? Have you been using Quick Actions or AssistiveTouch for a while? Will you update to get the official double-tap feature?