It was back in September that Apple first announced the launch of a new way to interact with its popular Apple Watch devices. Double Tap basically allows users to press their thumb and index finger together to perform useful tasks on the display.

Thanks to this update, it's possible to answer calls, launch the Smart Stack function, pause timers and even reply to messages without ever putting your skin on the screen.

Although Double Tap was first revealed over a month ago, it's only just now arriving on Apple Watch models thanks to the release of the watchOS 10.1 software upgrade.

Once installed, your Apple Watch will get instant access to this feature but, sadly, it's not available for everyone.

New Apple Watch Ultra 2 (
Image:
APPLE)

Double Tap has been made possible thanks to some clever advancements in software along with the S9 processor.

This super powerful chip powers the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra (Gen 2) so, if you've splashed on one of these new devices it's good news - just perform a watch OS update and you're good to go.

If you're wearing a Watch Series 7 or Watch Series 8 then you're out of luck as these wearables don't have access to that S9 SiP.

"With the new double tap gesture, users can easily control Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 using just one hand and without touching the display," said Apple in its release notes.

"Users can tap the index finger and thumb of their watch hand together twice to quickly perform many of the most common actions. This new feature complements existing gestures like tap, swipe, raise to wake, and cover to mute that make Apple Watch simple and intuitive to use."

Apple Watch Double Tap has been made possible via the S9 processor (
Image:
APPLE)


Here are all the features available via Double Tap

• Opening the Smart Stack from any watch face and scrolling through widgets in the stack.

• Answering and ending phone calls.

• Viewing a message from a notification, scrolling through longer notifications with an additional double tap, replying using dictation, and sending a message.

• Pausing, resuming, and ending a timer.

• Stopping and resuming a stopwatch.

• Snoozing an alarm.

• Playing and pausing music, podcasts, and audiobooks.

• Switching to the new Elevation view in the Compass app.

• Taking an iPhone photo with the Camera Remote in the Camera app.

• Starting or stopping automatic Workout reminders.

• Performing the primary action from notifications, such as replying to an incoming message from a messaging app and snoozing reminders — including from third parties.