22 Hidden watchOS 10 Features You Should Know About
Apple’s watchOS 10 introduces one of the biggest Apple Watch software redesigns in years, bringing a refreshed interface, Smart Stack widgets, updated apps, new watch faces, and deeper health and productivity tools.
While the headline features received most of the attention, watchOS 10 also includes dozens of smaller improvements and hidden enhancements that many users may overlook.
Here are 22 useful watchOS 10 features and tips worth exploring.
1. Automatic Night Mode on Apple Watch Ultra
watchOS 10 adds an automatic Night Mode option for the Modular Ultra and Wayfinder watch faces on Apple Watch Ultra models.
Instead of manually rotating the Digital Crown to activate the red-tinted interface, Night Mode can now automatically turn on in dark environments or when your watch is covered.
2. Detailed Control Center Status Icons
Control Center status icons are now interactive.
Tapping icons at the top of Control Center provides additional information about settings such as:
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Cellular connection
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Airplane Mode
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Do Not Disturb
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Location access
3. Multiple Timers With Labels
You can now run multiple timers simultaneously on Apple Watch.
Each timer can also be labeled using Siri commands like:
“Set a 15-minute pasta timer.”
This makes cooking, workouts, and multitasking much easier.
4. App Switcher Access
The old Dock has been replaced by a redesigned App Switcher.
To open it:
- Double-press the Digital Crown
You can scroll through recently used apps and remove apps with a swipe gesture.
5. Adjustable Flashlight Brightness
The Apple Watch flashlight now supports adjustable brightness levels.
Once activated, simply rotate the Digital Crown to increase or decrease flashlight intensity.
6. Elevation Alerts in Compass
The Compass app can now notify users when they exceed a target elevation.
This is especially useful for:
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Hiking
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Climbing
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High-altitude activities
The feature helps users monitor elevation changes and rest appropriately.
7. Relative Waypoint Elevation Views
Compass waypoints now include a 3D-style elevation comparison view showing how your saved waypoints relate to your current altitude.
8. Browse Compass Waypoints
watchOS 10 improves waypoint management in the Compass app.
Users can browse:
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Custom waypoints
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Parked car locations
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Emergency SOS points
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Cellular connectivity locations
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Saved Maps guides
9. Precision Finding for iPhone 15
Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 support Precision Finding for nearby iPhone 15 models.
Using the new Ultra Wideband chip, the watch can display:
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Directional guidance
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Distance information
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Visual navigation indicators
to help locate your iPhone more accurately.
10. Hiking Trail Discovery in Maps
The Maps app can now help users find nearby hiking trails directly from Apple Watch.
Trail information includes:
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Trail names
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Elevation data
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Route lengths
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Access point distances
11. Offline Maps Support
Offline Maps downloaded on an iPhone running iOS 17 are now accessible from Apple Watch when nearby via Bluetooth.
This allows navigation even without a cellular or Wi-Fi connection.
12. Walking Radius in Maps
Maps now includes a Walking Radius feature that shows how far you can walk within a selected time range.
Users can adjust the radius using the Digital Crown for up to 60 minutes of walking distance.
13. Live Location Sharing in Messages
watchOS 10 adds real-time location sharing directly in Messages.
Users can choose to:
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Share live location updates
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Send a static location pin
Location sharing durations include:
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One hour
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Until end of day
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Indefinitely
14. Group FaceTime Audio Calls
Apple Watch users can now initiate group FaceTime audio calls directly from the Phone app.
Additional participants can be added during active calls.
15. State of Mind Logging
The Mindfulness app now supports emotional wellbeing tracking through the new State of Mind feature.
Users can log:
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Current emotions
-
Overall daily mood
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Emotional influences
The information syncs with the Health app on iPhone.
16. Video Recording From Apple Watch
For the first time, the Camera Remote app can start and stop video recording on an iPhone directly from Apple Watch.
The watch can also:
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Preview framing
-
Control zoom
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Function as a remote viewfinder
17. Home Energy Forecasts
The Home app introduces Grid Forecast, which shows when cleaner energy is expected to be available in your area.
This can help users plan energy-intensive activities during more environmentally friendly periods.
Currently, the feature is available in the contiguous United States.
18. Easier Multi-Device AirPlay
The Now Playing app now allows users to add or switch between multiple AirPlay devices more easily while controlling audio playback.
19. Type to Speak With Live Speech
Using the Live Speech accessibility feature, users can type phrases on Apple Watch and have them spoken aloud.
The feature works during:
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In-person communication
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Phone calls
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FaceTime audio calls
20. Custom Email Signatures
watchOS 10 finally allows users to customize the default Mail app signature.
Instead of:
“Sent from my Apple Watch”
users can now create personalized signatures through the Watch app on iPhone.
21. Share Apple News Stories
The News app now supports story sharing directly from Apple Watch.
Users can quickly send articles through supported sharing methods.
22. Ping Your Apple Watch From iPhone
iOS 17 introduces the ability to ping your Apple Watch from your iPhone.
Once the Ping My Watch control is added to Control Center, users can quickly locate a misplaced Apple Watch by triggering a sound.
Final Thoughts
watchOS 10 introduces far more than just visual redesigns and widgets. Many of its most useful additions are smaller quality-of-life improvements that make the Apple Watch smarter, more capable, and more practical for daily use.
From offline maps and multiple timers to emotional wellbeing tracking and hiking tools, watchOS 10 continues expanding the Apple Watch beyond fitness into a more versatile everyday companion.