9 Apple Watch Tips You'll Need to Know

The Apple Watch officially launches today, though some buyers might be waiting until June to get their hands on one. We just got ours into the PC Labs, though, and have been busy setting it up and testing out its features.

After unboxing the new smartwatch, we linked it up to an iPhone 6, and started exploring. Apple products are usually quite intuitive, and the Apple Watch is no exception, but there is a bit of a learning curve since everything has to be displayed on a tiny screen.

Our slideshow features several videos that walk you through the basics of your Apple Watch—from changing the watch face to customizing notifications and setting an alarm. Check them out, and let us know in the comments if there are any other features you'd like to see in action.

We'll be putting the Apple Watch through its paces this weekend, and will have a full review early next week. Until then, check out our tips, as well as our hands on with the smartwatch from last month's press event.

How to Pair Apple Watch With Your iPhone

The Apple Watch doesn't work alone. You'll need an iPhone. Here's how to pair a brand-new Apple Watch with an iPhone and do the initial setup.

How to Install and Remove Apps

Installing and removing apps on the Apple Watch is simple—but you don't do it on the watch. Here's how.

How to Change the Face of the Apple Watch

The Apple Watch comes with a set of customizable watch faces. Here’s how to set it up to your taste.

How to Send a Text Message

There are two easy ways to send text messages using the Apple Watch. Here's how.

How to Set an Alarm

The new Apple Watch lets you set multiple, adjustable alarms by tapping or speaking into the watch. Here's how to set an alarm on the Apple Watch.

How to Manage Notifications

If you don't manage your notifications on the Apple Watch, you may get bombarded. Here's how to cut down on the messages you receive.

How to Remove the Band

The band for the Apple Watch is easily removable and replaceable, but stays in place firmly when you're wearing it. Here's how to slide out the band on the watch.

How to Control Music

The Apple Watch can store music and control the music on your phone. Here's how to do that.

How to Check the Time

Oh yeah, this thing also tells time. Here's how to do it on Apple's new smartwatch.

About Our Expert

Sascha Segan

Former Lead Analyst, Mobile

My Experience

I'm that 5G guy. I've actually been here for every "G." I reviewed well over a thousand products during 18 years working full-time at PCMag.com, including every generation of the iPhone and the Samsung Galaxy S. I also wrote a weekly newsletter, Fully Mobilized, where I obsessed about phones and networks.

My Areas of Expertise

US and Canadian mobile networks
Mobile phones released in the US
iPads, Android tablets, and ebook readers
Mobile hotspots
Big data features such as Fastest Mobile Networks and Best Work-From-Home Cities

The Technology I Use

Being cross-platform is critical for someone in my position. In the US, the mobile world is split pretty cleanly between iOS and Android. So I think it's really important to have Apple, Android and Windows devices all in my daily orbit.

I use a Lenovo ThinkPad Carbon X1 for work and a 2021 Apple MacBook Pro for personal use. My current phone is a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, although I'm probably going to move to an Android foldable. Most of my writing is either in Microsoft OneNote or a free notepad app called Notepad++. Number crunching, which I do often for those big data stories, is via Microsoft Excel, DataGrip for MySQL, and Tableau.

In terms of apps and cloud services, I use both Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive heavily, although I also have iCloud because of the three Macs and three iPads in our house. I subscribe to way too many streaming services.

My primary tablet is a 12.9-inch, 2020-model Apple iPad Pro. When I want to read a book, I've got a 2018-model flat-front Amazon Kindle Paperwhite. My home smart speakers run Google Home, and I watch a TCL Roku TV. And Verizon Fios keeps me connected at home.

My first computer was an Atari 800 and my first cell phone was a Qualcomm Thin Phone. I still have very fond feelings about both of them.

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