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How to control your Apple Watch with your iPhone

You can see a larger version of your Apple Watch’s display right on your iPhone. Here’s how to set it up.

Apple watch mirroring iphone control on purple background
Image: KnowTechie

The Apple Watch is best used as an additional display for notifications and messages on your wrist. But in some cases, you may want to see your Apple Watch screen on your iPhone, and now you can.

As part of the recent iOS 16 and WatchOS 9 updates, Apple Watch owners can now mirror their Watch screens onto their iPhones.

As long as the devices have the latest updates and are within Bluetooth range, you can mirror your Watch screen over to your iPhone.

NOTE: Apple Watch Mirroring is available only on the Apple Watch Series 6, 7, and 8.

This is a pretty sweet feature. You can check your Apple Watch on the charger in another room. Alternatively, it’s a great option for users with difficulty interacting with the small display.

Even the biggest Apple Watch, the new Apple Watch Ultra, only has a 49mm display. But when you mirror it onto your iPhone, it can be much larger.

How to mirror your Apple Watch on your iPhone

iOS 16 and WatchOS 9 brought a lot of new features to these products, and some aren’t as easy to find as others. But if you want to mirror your Watch to your iPhone, here’s how to do it.

  1. Open the Settings app and choose Accessibility. Apple mirroring accessibility settings on iphone

  2. Find the Apple Watch Mirroring toggle under the Physical and Motor section. Apple watch mirroring iphone setup purple background

  3. Toggle that option, and a window with a simulated Apple Watch face will appear. Apple watch mirroring on iphone setup toggle on purple background

  4. Then, you can connect your Apple Watch and control it directly from this window. Apple watch mirroring setup on the iphone purple background

From here, your Apple Watch controls your iPhone as it does by itself. You swipe and tap, just like you do on the Watch itself. The only difference is you can’t use the Crown to navigate like you can the physical one.

This is a great new feature with WatchOS 9 and iOS 16. Anyone who’s ever wanted to control their Apple Watch from the convenience of their iPhone can now do so in just a couple of quick steps.

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Staff writer at KnowTechie. Alex has two years of experience covering all things technology, from video games to electric cars. He's a gamer at heart, with a passion for first-person shooters and expansive RPGs. Shoot him an email at alex@knowtechie.com

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