Apple Watch Sync - View and Control Smartwatch on iPhone

If you have paired an Apple Watch with an iPhone, you can also display the watch's display on the smartphone. In addition, the Apple Watch display mirrored on the iPhone can be controlled in this larger display. In this guide I have summarized how it all works, which menu you can select and which inputs are used to operate the Apple Watch via the iPhone. 

The "Apple Watch Mirroring" announced in May 2022 is possible via iOS 16 and watchOS 9 as Apple Watch synchronization on the iPhone display. Here you can find out how it works and what you can control.
The “Apple Watch Mirroring” announced in May 2022 is possible via iOS 16 and watchOS 9 as Apple Watch synchronization on the iPhone display. Here you can find out how it works and what you can control.

Start Apple Watch sync on iPhone

There are various methods to get the display content from Apple Watch to iPhone. On iPhones with Face ID, you can try triple-clicking the side button. On iPhones with Touch ID, press the home button three times instead. However, if this three-time press is already assigned something else, the clock can also be mirrored via the settings:

  1. Opens the Settings on the Apple iPhone
  2. Pick the point Accessibility from
  3. Now tap on Apple Watch sync
  4. Activates the slider this submenu
  5. Tap this to exit X at the top right of the watch window
Here you can see where to activate the function to synchronize the sync between Apple Watch and iPhone (Photos: Sir Apfelot).
Here's where to turn on the feature to sync between Apple Watch and iPhone (Photos: Sir Apfelot).

Operate the Apple Watch via the iPhone: Here's how!

After you have started transferring the image content from the smartwatch to your smartphone, you can also operate the wearable from there. Various gestures and other inputs are available for this:

  • Scroll - Swipe up or down
  • Change display - Swipe left or right
  • Press Digital Crown - Tap the digital image of the crown
  • Press side button - Tap the digital image of the button
  • Use Siri - Long press the image of the Digital Crown
All functions of the Apple Watch can be operated remotely via the Apple Watch image on the iPhone.
All functions of the Apple Watch can be operated remotely via the Apple Watch image on the iPhone.

Restrictions: Procedure only works with Apple Watch Series 6, 7 and 8

As the title suggests, you can (currently) only use the displays of the Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch Series 8 display and control on the iPhone. Also, for the function on the iPhone iOS 16 as well as on the Apple Watch Watch 9 necessary. Accordingly, you can also find the official instructions in the online manuals for these two systems: here and here. Do you have any questions or comments on the topic? Then please leave a comment :)

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4 Responses to “Apple Watch Sync – View and Control Smartwatch on iPhone”

  1. Hello people,
    I've noticed something for a long time and wanted to ask if you've noticed it too. It's about adjusting the sounds and haptics of the watch using the watch app on the iPhone. The two controllers do not work in parallel. When I adjust one controller, the other doesn't move with it. It doesn't matter whether I change it in the watch or in the watch app. So you don't know which is the controller that specifies the setting.
    So either I'm misunderstanding something or it's a bug. If you want to adjust the Siri Lat strength of the watch, both controllers work in parallel.
    Please have a look at yourselves.
    Thank you!
    Greetings Volker

    1. Hello Volker! I would try it, but can you describe me exactly what I should do? Do I have to try this with Apple Watch synchronization or how exactly?

  2. Place Apple Watch and iPhone next to each other. Both displays should stay on. Then go to sounds and haptics in the watch and in the watch app. If you now operate one of the sliders, the other will not be moved. If you now try out the Siri volume setting, you will find that the sliders move in parallel and at the same time.
    Greetings Volker

    1. Hello Volker! Unfortunately, I only see "Notification volume", but nothing for Siri. But the volume control does not actually change in parallel. I have to get out of the option and go back in then it's updated. But I don't see a big problem there. I don't use it three times a day... you can live with that. So I can live with that. You may use it more often. 😊

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In the Sir Apfelot Blog you will find advice, instructions and reviews on Apple products such as the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, iMac, Mac Pro, Mac Mini and Mac Studio.