Siri can be a terrific helper on all of your Apple devices. We recently showed you tips for using Siri on Apple TV, so here we want to better your Apple Watch experience with tips for Siri there.
You can do things like set a timer, create a reminder, search the web, identify a song, look for apps, and much, much more.
Using Siri on Apple Watch
Make sure Siri is enabled
Since you can access Siri a few different ways on your Apple Watch, first make sure that you have at least one setting enabled. In addition, you must have Siri enabled on your paired iPhone (Settings > Siri & Search).
1) Open the Settings on your Apple Watch or open the Watch app on your iPhone and select the My Watch tab.
2) Tap Siri.
3) Below Ask Siri, enable one or all of the options. You can have your Watch listen for “Hey Siri,” raise your wrist to access Siri, or press the Digital Crown.
4) You have additional settings you can adjust for Voice Feedback, Voice Volume, and on Apple Watch, Language and Siri Voice.
Related: How to use Siri on Apple Watch without saying “Hey Siri”
Access Siri on Apple Watch
Depending on the options you select in Step 3 above, you can access Siri in the handiest way for you.
For example, if you use Siri often, you may like the Raise to Speak option. On the other hand, if you use “Hey Siri” on another nearby Apple device, you might not want that setting enabled on Apple Watch. Pressing the Digital Crown is a great middle ground.
Related: How to use Siri on multiple nearby devices
Ways you can use Siri on Apple Watch
You can do more things with Siri on Apple Watch than we can probably fit into this one article. But there are certainly commands you can give that you may not know about and that can make your life easier. Here are some of the handiest ones.
Set an alarm or timer
The Alarm and Timer apps on Apple Watch can be very useful for many situations. You can set an alarm to wake you up each morning or a timer for the oven. Whatever you decide, Siri can help.
For the Alarm and Timer apps you can request things like from Siri: “Set an alarm for 7am,” “Wake me up in 8 hours,” “Set a timer for 10 minutes,” or “Stop my timer.”
You can also ask Siri to show you your timers and alarms to see which you have set.
Send a message
There’s really no faster way to send a text message on Apple Watch than with Siri. You can start and send a new message or reply to one you’ve received.
Say something like: “Send a message to [contact],” “Tell [contact] I’ll be late for dinner,” or “Reply to [contact] I’m on my way”. If you stop after you name your contact like in the screenshot below, Siri will simply ask “What do you want to say,” so just add it to the message.
If you decide not to send the message, you can tap Don’t Send and Siri will confirm with “OK, I won’t”.
Search the web
Just like on iOS and Mac, Siri can help you find information on the web using your Apple Watch. Access Siri, make your request, and then view the results.
You’ll see the website, article name, and a brief excerpt. Just tap to open a page. If you want to look at another of the results, tap Close, go back, and select the next one.
You’ll need watchOS 6 or later to use Siri for performing web searches.
Add a reminder
The thing about reminders is that you have to set them for them to work and Siri can help you do this much quicker than you think. You can ask Siri to simply set a reminder or you can specify a certain list, date, or time.
Request reminders like, “Remind me to defrost dinner,” “Add a reminder to my Work list to update the report,” and “Remind me to call Jason at 2pm tomorrow”.
And you can also ask Siri, “What are my reminders” which will give you a list of your current reminders.
Identify a song
With Shazam integration, you can ask Siri to identify the song playing nearby. If you’re a Shazam user, than you know it’s convenient to open the app on your Watch to do this, but with Siri, you can cut out that step.
Just ask Siri “What song is this?” or “What song is playing?” and you’ll see your results. You can then tap Add to Library and you’ll have the song at your fingertips.
You’ll need watchOS 6 or later to use Siri for identifying songs with Shazam.
Find apps on the App Store
If you’re looking for an app for your Apple Watch, Siri can help you find and download the one you want from the App Store.
Try things like, “Find me calendar apps on the App Store” or “Download Flipboard from the App Store.”
You’ll need watchOS 6 or later to look for apps on the App Store.
Use the Siri watch face
If you’re looking for an Apple Watch face that updates as your day progresses, check out the Siri watch face.
You’ll get information right on your Apple Watch that’s relevant for what’s happening like calendar events, reminders, traffic conditions, news, weather, or Home app favorites. You’ll see All Day items along with Up Next. And the face supports Siri Shortcuts too!
To add the Siri face to your gallery, just follow these steps.
1) Open the Watch app on your iPhone and select Face Gallery.
2) Scroll down to and select Siri.
3) Choose your Color and Complications.
4) Tap Add.
The Siri watch face should then appear on your Apple Watch. And since it’s been added, you can switch to it anytime from the My Faces section of the My Watch tab.
Related: How to add and remove sources on Siri watch face on Apple Watch
Not sure what else Siri can do?
Just like Siri on your other Apple devices, you can always ask “What can you do?” on Apple Watch too. Siri will list all types of apps and actions.
Tap any of the items in Siri’s list and you’ll get examples for each one. And of course, you can always just wing it and ask Siri for something to see if your request can be handled. If it cannot, Siri will let you know!
Wrapping it up
If there’s one Apple device where Siri is the handiest, it’s Apple Watch. This lets you take care of things whether you’re out and about or lying in bed. You don’t have to grab your iPhone or use your HomePod to get Siri’s help, just raise your wrist.
What types of things do you use Siri for the most on Apple Watch? Is there anything on this list you haven’t tried yet but plan to? Let us know!
