How to FIX Apple Watch Double Tap Not Working Issue: Apple’s recent Wonderlust event was a tremendous triumph, with people all over the world discussing it. Apple presented not only the new iPhone 15 lineup, but also the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple WatchOS 10 during the event. The new Apple Watch Series features a new processor, a brighter display, and, most notably, the much-anticipated Double Tap feature, which surpasses its predecessor.
The Double Tap feature has been avidly anticipated by users worldwide because it enables effortless one-handed interaction with the Watch and opens up new multitasking opportunities. However, there are a few potential solutions that can be attempted if the Double Tap feature is not functioning properly.
Double Tap Not Working on Apple Watch? Here are six workarounds
Double Tap may not function on your Apple Watch for several fundamental reasons. First, we will review these tests, and then we will attempt a few fixes to restore the Double Tap functionality on your Apple Watch. Let’s get going.
Method 1: First, ensure that you have a compatible device.
Please note that Double Tap is only available on Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. If you own a prior model, such as the Apple Watch Series 8 or earlier, this feature will not function because it requires the new S9 SIP. Using AssistiveTouch, however, you can attain a comparable level of functionality on your older Apple Watch. To answer a call or halt the timer, you can substitute the Double Tap gesture with the Double Pinch or Double Clench gesture, although it may require more gestures. Consult this guide to learn more about setting up and utilizing this feature on your older Apple Watch. If you attempted to use Double Tap on an older Apple Watch, this may have been the reason why it failed.
Method 2: Ensure that you are employing it properly.
Due to the novelty of the Double Tap gesture in WatchOS 10, it can be challenging at times. While Assistive Touch features that utilize similar movements function without issue, Apple developers may need to modify this gesture to accommodate various hand and arm sizes for accurate detection. If you’re having difficulty with the Double Tap move, try keeping your arm straight and practicing the gesture’s timing several times to perfect it.
To implement the Double Tap move, you must tap your index finger and thumb together twice in rapid succession and avoid using any other finger. We strongly suggest exercising the gesture to perfect its timing and posture. As WatchOS 10 receives additional updates, you will have more room for error while still having gestures readily recognized.
Method 3: Try once more
As previously mentioned, WatchOS 10 is relatively new, with a plethora of new features and updates to account for; therefore, this new operating system for the Apple Watch can be somewhat temperamental. If the Double Tap gesture fails to work for you the first time, we suggest giving it another shot. It’s possible that your Watch is experiencing a temporary glitch, and it should recognize the gesture on the second attempt.
We recommend that you keep a watch out for future WatchOS 10 updates and install them as soon as they become available to resolve these issues.
Method 4: Restart the Apple Watch
If the Double Tap gesture is still not working for you, we suggest that you refresh your Apple Watch. A straightforward restart should resolve the majority of issues, restoring the Double Tap gesture on your Watch. Follow the below instructions to reactivate your Apple Watch.
Apple Watch: Press and hold the Side button until the Power icon appears in the upper right corner of the screen. Tap it when it appears.
Now, move the slider to switch off your Apple Watch. Wait at least two minutes after turning off the Watch, and then press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo. Now that your Apple Watch is activated, you can attempt the Double Tap gesture again.
Method 5: Restart your Apple Watch forcibly
Now is the time for drastic action. If Double Tap still does not function on your Apple Watch, it is necessary to attempt a hard restart. A force restart will purge the cache, temporary files, and other data on your Apple Watch, in addition to restarting background services and the connection to your iPhone. This will reset everything, allowing the Watch to detect the Double Tap gesture from beginning. Therefore, if you are still experiencing issues, we suggest that you perform a forced restart. No data will be lost during this procedure, and it should be relatively simple to complete. The procedures listed below will assist you with the process
Start by depressing the Apple Watch’s Crown and Side button for at least 10 seconds. After doing so for at least 10 seconds, the white Apple logo should appear on a black background. Once this logo appears, you may release the Crown and Side buttons and resume the Watch normally.
And that concludes it! As soon as your Watch powers up again, it will have been forcibly restarted, which should restore the Double Tap gesture.
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Method 6: Examine the availability of updates
If Double Tap is still not functioning for you, there is likely a serious problem. Apple developers routinely track and fix the majority of critical bugs with upcoming updates. Therefore, if you haven’t checked for updates in a while, it’s probable that you’re experiencing an older bug that has been resolved in recent WatchOS releases. Check for and install any available WatchOS updates for your Apple Watch using the steps below.
Launch the Watch app on your iOS device and select My Watch. Now navigate to Settings > Software Update. Your device will now scan for and install any available Apple Watch updates. If prompted, enter the passcode for your iPhone or Apple Watch to apply the update. Once the update has been implemented, the Double Tap gesture on your Apple Watch should be fixed. I hope it helps you resolve the Double Tap Not Working issue.