“How to utilize Double Tap function on the Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2 and the benefits of doing so.”
Macworld
Many of us have experienced a situation where we receive a notification, phone call, or alarm, but our hands are occupied. Perhaps we are on a bus and holding onto something, or our hands are messy from cooking. The purpose of having an Apple Watch is to be able to perform tasks when we cannot use our iPhones, but there are still moments when even the Watch is not convenient to use.
The latest Apple Watch models, Series 9 and Ultra 2, have a new feature called “Double Tap” that can be used with the S9 chip and new sensors. This gesture involves quickly pinching your forefinger and thumb together twice to perform basic functions. It was introduced in watchOS 10.1, which came out approximately one month after the initial release of watchOS 10.
Double Tap on your Apple Watch functions in a distinct manner from the current accessibility choices accessible to all users. Our evaluations have shown it to be more dependable. If you activate Double Tap, you must deactivate certain accessibility preferences as they may cause interference. Here’s how to configure Double Tap and its capabilities.
Double Tap is a feature that allows users to quickly access certain functions or actions by tapping on the same area or button twice. This can save time and make navigating through a device or app more efficient.
When viewing your watch face, tapping twice will display your “smart stack” of cards. Repeating the gesture will either move through the cards or choose the current one, based on your selection in Settings.

Foundry
In most applications, performing the Double Tap gesture is equivalent to tapping the main button. If an alarm is sounding, it functions similarly to pressing Snooze. When using a timer, it will pause and resume it. In the case of a camera remote, it will activate the shutter (a convenient method for taking group photos!). In Messages, double tapping while reading a message will open a reply, typically using voice dictation as the default typing method.
An exception worth mentioning is the playback of media in applications such as Music or Podcasts. By default, the main function is to play or pause, but you have the option to modify the Double Tap action to skip instead, if preferred.
Several applications do not have a main button specified, therefore when executing the Double Tap action, a small icon will appear at the top of your display, vibrate with tactile response, and then vanish.
How to activate Double Tap and adjust settings.
- Time to complete: 2 minutes
Tools required: none Materials required: The Apple Watch series 9 or Ultra 2 or later, with watchOS 10.1.
Cost: 0
Modify preferences on your Apple Watch.

Foundry
To modify the Double Tap preferences on your Apple Watch:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Gestures.
-
Press the button twice to toggle the On/Off setting.
You can use the menu to turn Double Tap on or off. Scroll down to access options for changing media playback, such as switching between Play and Pause or skipping tracks. You can also adjust the Smart Stack feature to either Advance or Select.
Modify your preferences using the Watch app on your iPhone.

Foundry
To modify the Double Tap preferences in the Watch app on your iPhone:
-
Launch the Watch application.
- Tap Gestures.
-
Press the Double Tap On/Off button.
Within this menu, you have the ability to switch Double Tap on or off and adjust the media playback settings between Play/Pause and Skip, or the Smart Stack option between Advance and Select.