Do you know what all the icons in the Apple Watch Control Center mean? Do you know what functions they activate or deactivate? We explain one by one what these fundamental buttons are for to know well the operation of the Apple Smartwatch.
Control center
The control center of the Apple Watch is equivalent to that of the iPhone. From it we can activate and deactivate functions of our watch such as Wifi, data connection, mute sounds and many more functions. How can we deploy the control center?
- From the main screen of the Apple Watch performing the swipe gesture from the bottom edge screen up.
- If we are within any application, we must press and hold on the lower edge of the screen a couple of seconds and then swipe up.
For close the control center we must perform the opposite gesture (slide from top to bottom) or press the crown.
Control Center Icons
In the control center we have multiple icons, each of which means something different, and performs different functions. Some of them are quite obvious, but others are not so clear, so we are going to detail one by one what they do.
This icon enables or disables the mobile connection (LTE) of your Apple Watch. It is only available in models with LTE connection, those that use the eSIM to have their own connectivity. The Apple Watch only uses the data connection when there are no WiFi networks available and the iPhone is not nearby. In this way you save battery by using the data connection only when it is essential.
This button is used to disconnect from the WiFi network. Apple Watch connects to known Wi-Fi networks (the same as the iPhone) when the iPhone to which it is linked is not close, because if it is within Bluetooth range it always prioritizes this connection with the iPhone. If you press it, it will disconnect from the WiFi network and therefore it will use the LTE connection to access the internet (if it is an LTE model). If you keep it pressed you will access the WiFi Settings.
This disconnection from the WiFi network is temporary, so if you move from where you were when you deactivated it, and after a while you return to that place, it will reconnect to the WiFi network that it knows.
Activate Class mode. This mode is only available on managed Apple Watch, that is, it carries a minor and depends on an adult. This way Set a schedule when Apple Watch functions are restricted to prevent distraction in class.
This is the function most used by some members of my household: Have you lost your iPhone? Well by pressing this button, the phone will start to emit quite loud beeps for a few seconds to help you locate it. A true lifesaver for many.
This button offers you information without having to press it, always showing the percentage of battery remaining on your Apple Watch. What a lot of people don't know is that if you press it you can set the Battery Saving Mode on the Apple Watch, and you can check the remaining battery of other connected accessories, such as AirPods.
This button deactivates the sounds of the Apple Watch, maintaining the vibration. This mode will remain activated until you press the button again to deactivate it. Remember that even if the Silent mode is active, if the clock is charging the alarms and timers will continue to sound. There is another quick way to activate the silent mode, and that is if you receive a notification and cover the screen with the palm of your hand for 3 seconds, it will activate automatically and notify you with a vibration.
This button only appears if you have Automatic Lock disabled, which is how it is configured by default. In the case where you opt for manual lock, when you want your Apple Watch to lock and therefore requires the unlock code to be used, you must press this button.
This button activates Cinema Mode, which will make Apple Watch will not turn on the screen when you lift your wrist, nor will it make sounds. The Walkie Talkie is also disabled. You will continue to receive notifications through vibrations, and in order to see the screen you will have to press it, or press any of its buttons.
Activate your availability for the Walkie-Talkie. This communication mode allows you to use your Apple Watch like the classic Walkie-Talkies. You press a button to speak, release it to receive the answer. You need an internet connection, either through the iPhone, Wi-Fi or mobile data, and it also requires that the recipient has accepted your invitation. When you don't want anyone to bother with this feature, turn it off with this button, and turn it on again when available.
It allows you to choose between one of the concentration modes that you have configured. The moon is Do Not Disturb mode, during which all notifications and calls are disabled, which will reach your device but you will not be notified. The bed appears when Sleep Mode is on and off, the rocket for Game Mode, the person for Free Time Mode, and the ID card for Work Mode.
Activate the flashlight on your Apple Watch. When activated, the screen of your Apple Watch turns on and allows you to illuminate the lock of the house in the dark or go to the bathroom without tripping over objects in the hallway. You can change the flashlight mode by sliding to the left: white light, flashing white light and red light. To deactivate it, press one of the two buttons on the clock or swipe down on the screen.
Activate Airplane Mode, which disables the Wi-Fi connection (and data on LTE models) and leaves Bluetooth active. This behavior can be configured from the Clock Settings, in the General tab> Airplane Mode. That that menu you can also duplicate the Airplane Mode on your iPhone and watch, so that when you activate it in one it is activated in the other.
Activate Water Mode. This mode locks the screen, which you can continue to see but will not respond to your touches. This is designed so that the water does not cause intentional touches on the screen while swimming or showering. To deactivate it you must turn the crown, while turning you will hear a sound emitted by the speaker of the watch to expel the water that may have entered through its opening.
Press this button to choose which audio output your Apple Watch has. You can decide if you want the sound to come out of a Bluetooth speaker or headphones connected to your watch, such as AirPods.
Check the volume of the headphones letting you know if the sound is too loud and it can damage your hearing
Activate or deactivate «Announce Notifications». When you have compatible AirPods or Beats connected and notifications arrive on your iPhone, you can listen to them through headphones, even answer them. You can choose which applications you want to announce notifications and which not from the iPhone settings, within the Notifications menu.
Reorder the Control Center
You can change the order of all these buttons, even make them not show up in the Control Center if you don't use them. For it display the Control Center, go to the bottom and click on the Edit button. You can rearrange or hide them in a similar way to how you do with the applications on your iPhone.
