One of the biggest new features of the 2023 duo of new Apple Watch models is a new gesture – but what if you’re not a fan of Double Tap?
By default, the two Apple Watch variants launched in 2023 – the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 – come with the Double Tap gesture enabled if they are running the latest version of watchOS.
While it’s tricky to perform the gesture if you’re not purposely doing it, it possible to disable it completely if you know you’re never going to use it. Here’s how.
What you’ll need:
- Either an Apple Watch Series 9 or an Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Short Version
- Unlock the Watch
- Open the app menu
- Scroll to Settings
- Tap Gestures
- Tap Double Tap
- Toggle it off
Step
1Unlock the Watch
To begin the process, unlock your Apple Watch so you’re looking at the clock face.
Step
2Open the app menu
You’ll next need to open the app menu. To do this, press down on the Digital Crown so you can see a list of all your installed services.
Step
3Scroll to Settings
Scroll down to the Settings icon and tap it.
Step
4Tap Gestures
Inside the Settings app there’s an option titled Gestures. Scroll down and select it.
Step
5Tap Double Tap
Next, you’ll want to tap on the Double Tap option, It should be right at the top of the list.
Step
6Toggle it off
Tap the Double Tap option so it turns from green to grey. It has now been disabled.
Troubleshooting
No, you can’t alter how Double Tap and there are no customisation options available.
Double Tap is a gesture that allows you to navigate the Apple Watch UI by tapping your thumb and finger together. It is only available on the two Apple Watch models launched in 2023 thanks to the improved chipset and its neural engine.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
