Your Apple Watch does more than track steps and show notifications. Apple has packed it with useful tools that most people never find -- hidden shortcuts and emergency features that actually matter.
I found one recently when powering down my watch; Compass Backtrack appeared as an option. I had no idea how many features I was missing. The Apple Watch can do way more than count steps if you know where to look. In fact, the Apple Watch has several notable features that other smartwatch manufacturers don't offer.
Here are seven Apple Watch features you should start using.
Compass Backtrack gets you back to where you started How Compass Backtrack works
Backtrack drops GPS pins as you walk, so you can follow them back to where you started. It's useful for hikes, huge parking lots, or when you're wandering around somewhere new.
Access Backtrack by pressing and holding the main button on your Apple Watch. Sometimes it activates automatically when you start hiking or head into remote areas. The interface shows a simple path with markers indicating your route, making it easy to follow your trail backward.
Backtrack works with pure GPS data stored on your device, which means there is no need for memory or cell service.
Ping your iPhone with a bonus flashlight feature Advanced iPhone pinging tricks
Most Apple Watch owners know the basic ping feature -- tap the phone icon in Control Center and your iPhone makes a sound. But hold down the ping button instead, and your iPhone will make a sound and flash its flashlight repeatedly.
The flashing light helps a ton when your phone's hidden somewhere dark, under the couch, in your car, or wherever. It doesn't matter if it's on silent. The feature works within Bluetooth range.
Pull up from the bottom of your watch to get to Control Center. Tap the phone icon for just sound or hold it for the audio ping plus flashlight flicker.
Medical ID could save your life in an emergency Setting up and accessing Medical ID
Medical ID stores critical health information on your lock screen. Paramedics and hospital staff can check your allergies, what meds you take, who to call, your blood type, and health conditions with no unlocking needed.
If you're unconscious or can't talk, doctors can see what you're allergic to right away. They'll see if you have diabetes or epilepsy, and they'll know if you take blood thinners that affect treatment.
Open the Health app on your iPhone, hit your profile, then Medical ID. Fill out what's important and turn on Show When Locked. To pull it up on your watch, hold the side button until you see the Emergency SOS slider, then swipe over to Medical ID.
Emergency SOS works even without your iPhone Calling 911 from your watch
Hold the side button, and the Emergency SOS slider pops up. It'll call 911, send your location, and text your emergency contacts. If you have a cellular watch, it works without your phone nearby. GPS-only models work when connected to Wi-Fi or when your iPhone is within Bluetooth range.
It sends your location to 911 automatically, which is really useful if you're hurt somewhere unfamiliar. It works with Fall Detection and Crash Detection too. If your watch thinks you've fallen hard or been in a car accident, and you don't respond, it'll call for help. You can change the settings in the Watch app if you're worried about setting it off by accident.
Control your iPhone camera from your wrist Remote camera shutter made easy
Camera Remote lets you use your watch as a wireless shutter button. Launch the app, and your iPhone's camera opens by itself. You get a live preview on your wrist, and you can control exactly when you take a shot -- it beats rushing back from tapping a timer.
Set your iPhone on a tripod or prop it up and frame the shot using your watch's preview. Then, tap the shutter when you're ready. You can switch between cameras, set a timer, and review the last photo all from your wrist.
Take an EKG right from your wrist Heart health monitoring beyond fitness
If you have a Series 4 or newer, the EKG feature can check for AFib (irregular heartbeat). It's FDA-cleared, and not just a gimmick. It's helped people discover previously unknown heart conditions.
Open the ECG app, put your arms on a table, and touch the Digital Crown with a finger from your other hand for 30 seconds. The sensors on the back and crown read your heart's electrical activity. If your heart's been feeling weird, this gives you actual data to show your doctor.
You can export all your readings as a PDF from the Health app. Many cardiologists now review Apple Watch EKG readings as part of patient care. As a monitoring tool for AFib, it's capable for anyone with heart concerns. Your Apple Watch can track other important health data automatically that you can review with your doctor as well.
Water Lock and Theater Mode keep your watch behaving Two essential modes for different situations
Water Lock keeps water from messing up your screen and speaker -- whether you're swimming, showering, or doing dishes. Pull up Control Center and tap the water drop. When you're done with water activities, turn the Digital Crown to unlock it. Your watch will "eject" water by vibrating the speaker.
Theater Mode keeps your screen completely off until you physically tap it and silences all audio, too. The regular silent mode still lights up when you move your wrist, while the Theater Mode keeps everything dark until you deliberately activate it. It's perfect for movies, meetings, or performances.
Enable Theater Mode by swiping up for Control Center and tapping on the theater masks icon. You can combine it with Do Not Disturb for maximum discretion.
Your watch is more powerful than you think
These features have been sitting on your watch this whole time, and the emergency stuff could actually save your life. Camera Remote and advanced iPhone pinging make daily tasks easier. These overlooked capabilities make the Apple Watch far more useful than most people realize.
You already own these features. They're waiting to be discovered. Spend a few minutes poking around in your watch settings and see which ones work for you. You might be surprised by how much more capable your Apple Watch becomes. Use these Apple Watch features with iPhone settings updates to further optimize your tech lineup.