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Your Apple Watch is a handy tool to measure many different health metrics. True or false? Your Apple Watch has a built-in stress sensor.
✅True
❌False
Did you get it right? Scroll down to find out!
You've heard the stories about how Apple Watches have saved people's lives, but they are also capable of making you wish your life were over (if you're prone to hyperbole). I've compiled three embarrassing stories from Apple Watch wearers like yourself. I'll also include a tip on how to avoid each one, so you can learn from others' mistakes.
1. My Apple Watch Called the Cops
Once upon a time, Becky was enjoying a much-needed break at a friend's vacation home. While trying to turn her trusty Apple Watch off right before midnight, her finger slid on the wrong bar, calling emergency services instead. Despite hanging up almost immediately, she got a call back from 911, which was answered by her husband. Despite reassuring the officers that Becky was fine, law enforcement knocked on the door around 15 minutes later. Becky was in bed, and her husband answered, and the officers insisted on seeing her to make sure she was ok. Dressed in PJs, Becky came out and explained exactly what happened. A few chuckles later, the police were off, likely rushing back to the station to share the funny story with their coworkers.
Something similar has happened to me, and almost every Apple Watch wearer I know. One way to avoid this is by toggling off the option to Hold Side Button to Dial, which is the most common way to accidentally dial 911.
2. Flashing Everyone Despite Using Theater Mode
Isaac had worn an Apple Watch for years without anything too crazy happening to him. He had a good habit of using Do Not Disturb and Theater Mode whenever he was at the movies, knowing that this would keep his watch from bothering other movie goers. This time, however, he rested his chin on his hand and suddenly his seat neighbor was glaring at him! Turns out that one of the light sensors at the bottom of the watch was exposed due to the angle of his wrist. Isaac now wears a sweater with long sleeves to keep the occasional bright green light out of people's eyes.
Unfortunately there is no way to turn the sensors off without turning an Apple Watch off. A long sleeve will do the trick if you don't want to turn it off or take it off your wrist.
3. I Pinged My Phone Instead of Silencing My Watch
Carrie is one of those people who doesn't want her watch or phone to make unnecessary sounds, so everything is set to vibrate only. But sometimes even a vibrating watch can cause a scene, so when Carrie was at an important presentation, she decided to be extra safe and turn on Do Not Disturb. Easy, right? That's what she thought… until she opened her Control Center discreetly and tapped what she thought was the Focus mode icon. She realized her mistake right away, and yet the two seconds that passed before her iPhone started pinging felt agonizingly slow. Of course, the loud ping had everyone looking at her. Most people, including the kind presenter, offered her a knowing smile, but she still blushes recalling the story today.
Accidentally tapping something is hard to prevent, but you can customize your watch's Control Center to make sure the ping option is far from the Focus icon, making it a little harder to tap the wrong thing, even if under duress.
Do you have a story more embarrassing than the ones above? Email OntheWatch@iphonelife.com and let me know!
❌False
While some apps are able to interpret stress levels from your Heart Rate Variability (HRV) there is no single stress sensor on your Apple Watch.
You can now join the June Challenge! The monthly iPhone Life Challenge is a great way to come together as a community and motivate each other to reach our health goals by staying active. We'll be doing a weekly accountability post for subscribers in our Insider Facebook group. Join to share struggles, trade tips, and support one another on our journeys.
To join the challenge, download the free Challenges app on your iPhone and enter the code FKDM when prompted. Need help? This article explains the steps and tells you more about the app.
Are you enjoying the challenge? Do you have any suggestions for how we can make it even better? Email OnTheWatch@iPhoneLife.com and let me know.
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