How to Send & Read Messages on Apple Watch

The Apple Watch is so much more than something strapped to your wrist that can also tell the time. It’s a miniature computer and that fact is driven home further with every new hardware and software revision. But one feature that has been there since day one is the ability to send and receive iMessages directly from Apple Watch, without needing to pick up an iPhone to do it. If you’re not talking into your wrist to send messages, you’re really missing out.

Sending is only part of the story, though. Being able to read iMessages from your wrist is a wonderful opportunity to avoid picking your iPhone up more than you already do. Many of us are guilty of having an iPhone in our hands more than we should, and the Apple Watch is one way to avoid that becoming more of a problem than it already is.

We’re going to run through how to do the most common Apple Watch Messages tasks below. You’ll be a Messages ninja before you know it.

How to Read Incoming Messages on Apple Watch

New incoming messages can be read by tapping the notifications you received when they arrived. You can also read all messages easily regardless of when they arrived, too

1. Press the Digital Crown on the side of your Apple Watch and tap the Messages app to open it.
2. Tap the message that you want to read. Unread messages will appear with a  blue dot beside them.
3. You can instantly reply to a message by scrolling to the bottom and tapping your preferred option.

Replying to Messages on Apple Watch

The bottom of every Messages conversation will offer a number of reply options. You can set up and use Quick Replies that are canned responses that you use regularly.

Alternatively, you can send an emoji by tapping the blue circle with an emoji face inside or send a recorded message by tapping the blue circle with a microphone inside.

Finally, you can use Scribble to draw out a response using your finger. Tap the Scribble icon to begin.

Sending a New Message from Apple Watch

Sending a new message is simple. If you’re in an environment that makes it possible, asking Siri to send a message to a given person will initiate the process using your voice. You can also use the Messages app, too.

1. Press the Digital Crown on the side of your Apple Watch and tap the Messages app to open it.
2. Press the screen firmly – using Force Touch – on the main Messages screen and then tap “New Message”.
3. Tap “Add Contact” and then tap the name of the person you want to send the message to. You can also tap the microphone button to search for someone using your voice or dictate a telephone number. Alternatively, tap the 3×3 grid to enter a phone number manually.
4. Tap “Create Message” and then use any of the options we mentioned earlier to craft your message.

The Apple Watch isn’t the only device you can use to send and receive iMessages, either. Your iPhone is the most obvious device to use, but your iPad and Mac can also do the job if you need them to. If a text message won’t cut it, why not try the fantastic Walkie-Talkie feature instead? Or you can make a phone call from Apple Watch if you want to do that too. Reach out and communicate, right from your wrist, it’s good!