How does the new double tap gesture work on the Apple Watch Ultra 2

How It Works

- Gesture Activation: Users perform the gesture by tapping their thumb and index finger together twice. This action must be executed while the watch screen is active, which requires raising the wrist to wake the display. The gesture will not register if the screen is dimmed or if the watch is not in use[1][2].

- Detection Technology: The double tap function relies on the new S9 chip integrated into the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. It utilizes the watch's accelerometer, gyroscope, and heart rate sensor to detect the movement and blood flow associated with the gesture[2].

- Visual Feedback: When the double tap gesture is recognized, a blue icon appears at the top of the screen, confirming that the action has been acknowledged[2].

Supported Functions

The double tap gesture can be used for a variety of tasks, including:

- Navigating Widgets: Accessing and scrolling through the Smart Stack of widgets.
- Phone Calls: Answering and ending calls.
- Media Control: Playing or pausing playback.
- Messaging: Replying to text messages using voice dictation.
- Timers and Alarms: Starting or stopping timers and snoozing alarms.
- Camera Control: Taking photos with an iPhone's Camera app through Camera Remote on the watch[1][2][3].

Limitations

While versatile, the double tap gesture has some restrictions:

- It does not work during activities in certain apps like Workout or Maps.
- Incompatible with specific health monitoring features like ECG or Blood Oxygen apps.
- Users can customize or disable this feature through the Settings app on their watch[2][3].

Overall, this new gesture aims to streamline interactions with the Apple Watch Ultra 2, making it easier for users to perform common tasks efficiently.