Apple Watch Hidden Feature Can Automatically Alert Loved Ones – Here’s How
Learn how to use Apple Watch’s Check In feature on watchOS 26 to keep loved ones informed of your location instantly and stay safe anytime.
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The latest watchOS 26 update has upgraded the safety tools for Apple Watch clients and made the “Check In” feature more user-friendly. The tool which was first rolled out to iPhone in 2023 through iOS 17, later moved to Apple Watch through watchOS 11 in 2024. The 2025 update brings easy access and fresh options for sharing location and status with contacts.
The purpose of the feature is to send automatic notifications to chosen contacts about your position including leaving a place, getting to a place, or finishing work. Now Apple Watch users who go for a walk, jog, or travel alone can let family members or friends know instantly about their location.
In watchOS 26 users must first get the update for the compatible Apple Watch models to start using Check In. After that, a Check In widget can be included in the Smart Stack for easy access.
How to Set Up Check In on Apple Watch:
Get watchOS 26 – Make sure your device has the latest version of watchOS installed to use the Check In feature.
Include Check In in Smart Stack – Go to Smart Stack, slide to the widget list, click “Edit,” and add the Check In widget.
Start Check In – Tap the yellow Check In widget on your Smart Stack to initiate the action.
Pick Recipient – Users have the option to choose the recipients either by dictation, searching in contacts, or entering the phone number manually.
Select Check In Type – The feature has three choices:
Arrival at destination: Shares the location via GPS when you get to the specified location.
Timer-based: Automatically sends a Check In after the user-specified time. If the user does not reply, his/her location is shared.
Workout completion: Alerts the contacts when the workout is over, great for activities like running, biking, or hiking.
Confirm Details – Users are allowed to check and modify their Check In data, that is time, location, or workout settings.
Send Notification – After the check-in message is approved, hitting “Send” distributes it to the chosen recipients.
This feature is available for Apple Watch users during outdoor solo adventures, first dates, road trips, or any situation that calls for extra personal safety.
In addition to Check In, watchOS 26 comes with more enhancements such as the ability to view daily sleep scores, wrist movements for turning off notifications, instantaneous message translation, and a dedicated Notes app.
