You'll Soon Be Able to Control an Apple Watch Using Hand Gestures

Apple today previewed a long list of new accessibility features coming soon, including AssistiveTouch for the Apple Watch, which will allow users to control an Apple Watch without ever having to touch the display or controls.


Aided by on-device machine learning, the Apple Watch's gyroscope, accelerometer, and heart rate sensor will be able to detect subtle differences in muscle movement and tendon activity, and these movements will allow users to navigate a cursor on the Apple Watch's display through a series of hand gestures, like a pinch or a clench.

AssistiveTouch on the Apple Watch will enable customers who have limb differences to more easily answer incoming calls, control an on-screen motion pointer, access Notification Center and Control Center, and more.

Apple says AssistiveTouch for the Apple Watch will be available with a software update. The feature will likely be part of watchOS 8, which is expected to be unveiled alongside iOS 15, macOS 12, and tvOS 15 at WWDC 2021 next month.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Popular Stories

2024 iPhone Boxes Feature

iPhones Could Cost Up to $2,300 in the U.S. Due to Tariffs, Analyst Says

Friday April 4, 2025 9:30 am PDT by
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that steep tariffs will be applied to imports from many countries, starting April 9. The tariffs could have a significant impact on Apple, as the company assembles the majority of iPhones in China, and products imported to the U.S. from China will be subject to a 54% tariff. iPhone prices could increase by up to 43% in the U.S. due to the...
iOS 19 Mock WWDC25 Feature

iOS 19 Expected to Run on These iPhones

Monday March 31, 2025 5:28 pm PDT by
iOS 19 will not be available on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or the iPhone XS Max, according a private account on social media site X that has accurately provided information on device compatibility in the past. The iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max all have an A12 Bionic chip, so it looks like iOS 19 will discontinue support for that chip. All other iPhones that run iOS 18 are expected...
iphone 16 pro colors 1

Is Now the Time to Upgrade Apple Devices Before Tariffs Lead to Price Increases?

Friday April 4, 2025 3:41 pm PDT by
If you have an older Apple device that you've been considering upgrading, you're probably wondering how the newly announced tariffs might impact prices going forward, and whether it's worth buying now before there's a price hike. Given analyst and economist responses to the tariffs, market panic, and Trump's stance on the current financial chaos, the answer is that making a purchase...
iPhone 17 Pro 34ths Perspective

iPhone 17 Pro: New 48MP Telephoto Lens May Change How Zoom Works

Thursday April 3, 2025 5:11 am PDT by
Apple is reportedly planning a major upgrade to the Telephoto camera in the iPhone 17 Pro, and while it may seem like a step back on paper, the change could actually improve real-world usability, if one leaker's claims are anything to go by. According to Majin Bu, the iPhone 17 Pro will feature a new Telephoto lens with a 48MP sensor, up from the current 12MP sensor found in the iPhone 16...
iOS 18

12 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18.4

Tuesday April 1, 2025 4:06 am PDT by
Apple has released iOS 18.4, bringing further refinements to Apple Intelligence features, a neat new capability to iPhone 15 Pro devices, new emoji, and more. While not quite as packed with new features as Apple's preceding iOS 18 point releases, iOS 18.4 still introduces enhancements that aim to make your iPhone smarter and more intuitive. Below, we've listed 12 new things your ‌iPhone‌ ...
watchOS 11 Thumb 2 1

Apple Releases watchOS 11.4 With Sleep Alarm Update

Tuesday April 1, 2025 10:34 am PDT by
Apple today released watchOS 11.4, the fourth major update to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 11.4 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, all Apple Watch Ultra models, and the Apple Watch SE 2. watchOS 11.4 can be downloaded on a connected iPhone by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software,...

Top Rated Comments

macduke Avatar
51 months ago
This is great news. I have a friend who is missing everything past his elbow on one side. He's quite capable, able to go rock climbing, mountain biking, etc. But something like an Apple Watch can be difficult to control. I'm sure he will be excited about this! I love Apple's stance on accessibility and using technology to improve people's lives. It puts most other companies to shame.

Here is Tim Cook's response to a shareholder saying they should focus only on the ROI and not other things like accessibility or the environment:


"When we work on making our devices accessible by the blind, I don't consider the bloody ROI. If you want me to do things only for ROI reasons, you should get out of this stock."

―Tim Cook
I gained a lot of respect for Mr. Tim Apple that day.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jezbd1997 Avatar
51 months ago
Okay this is definitely one of the coolest things I've ever seen
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alexandr Avatar
51 months ago
getting more and more useful. freakin' apple!
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ArPe Avatar
51 months ago
Good thing I wear watch on left wrist and pee with right hand. Don’t want to accidentally answer calls like that when I am busy.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DrunkSkunk Avatar
51 months ago
I cant wait for this. Being disabled with only having one arm it has put a hamper on me getting an Apple Watch. When this comes out I will be finally able to get one and use it. So excited!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FrizzleFryBen Avatar
51 months ago
This is an incredible enhancement! I was literally JUST playing with "Pointer Control" in Accessibility settings on my MBA for the first time. I was only using it to control a powerpoint, but what amazing accessibility functionality that Apple (fairly quietly) offers. I don't have any physical limitations that would be assisted with these advancements, but I think it's wonderful and impressive that Apple pays attention and actively adds these features.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)