Before you start
It’s worth noting that while you can access the following apps from the App Store on your phone, the Apple Watch also has its own version. However, the small screen makes it a bit difficult to sift through.
If you’re new to watchOS, what Apple labels watch face widgets are called “complications.”
Some apps are free but offer in-app purchases (IAPs) to get more out of the app.
If you just unpacked your Apple Watch for the first time, congratulations! You are at the beginning of a fun journey. Apple’s wearables may have run into some patent-related issues lately, but they’re still great smartwatches, whether you have an SE, Series 9, Ultra 2, or an older version.
Once you’ve paired your Apple Watch with your iPhone (just turn it on and hold it near your phone), you’ll need to set it up properly. But where do you start?
Now, like the iPhone, the Apple Watch is a blank canvas built for App Store apps. In fact, many of the iPhone’s applications jump automatically, but there are many others.
The list of the best Apple Watch apps is long, but we’ve hand-picked a few that we recommend you install right away to see the scope of your new smartwatch’s capabilities. Here are some recommended apps to install on your new Apple Watch.
1. Waterful
If you want to get a head start on your 2024 hydration fitness goals, Waterful is a great place to start.
The app is simple and allows you to track your water intake (and other liquids like coffee, soda, etc.) with just a few taps. This is much easier than pulling out your phone after every sip, and means you can focus on whatever you’re doing.
Water intake data is written to Health and Siri Shortcuts. By adding complications to your watch face for easy access, you can take the hassle out of the process and keep it running as smoothly as possible while still being able to monitor your daily intake. You can understand it at a glance.
And at only $9.99 / £8.99 / AU$14.99 for a lifetime subscription, or $0.99 / £0.99 / AU$1.49 per month, it’s not bad at all considering the health benefits you’ll probably get from it.
2. Striped pattern
The fun thing about Streaks is that you can turn almost any habit you build into the app into a game. iPhone has a beautiful interface that lets you track the last time you walked the dog, ate a healthy meal, or smoked a cigarette.
It’s a “habit-forming to-do list” and there’s also a workout version, but the basic version of Streaks is a fun app that lets you track just about anything. It has a huge number of presets yet is highly customizable. This means you can track more specific parts of your life, like the last time you sent an email to a particular customer or paid your taxes.
Also available as a one-off purchase for just $4.99 / £4.99 / AU$7.99, it’s extremely affordable and great value.
3. Thing 3
The Apple ecosystem is full of to-do list apps, from the complex Omnifocus to the simple and effective reminder apps that Apple has built directly into the platform.
3 is somewhere in between and I find it hard to live without it. It may sound melodramatic, but the app is beautifully designed on all platforms, with a sleek design and context-specific buttons for creating tasks, sections, subtasks, and more.
This is also a great clock app, allowing you to check off items and edit them on the fly. This is especially useful if you still remember the deadline, but need to revise it while your phone is in another room. You can also add notes via dictation.
The iPhone version, which also includes the Apple Watch app, is available for $9.99 / £9.99 / AU$9.99. If you like it, you can also get the Mac and iPad versions separately.
4. Strava
If you’re an avid cyclist or runner, Strava needs no introduction. However, you might be surprised at how good his Strava is on the Apple Watch.
This exercise tracking app is one of the most popular in this space, along with AllTrails. The orange service can track your runs, cycles, and anything else you can do with the iOS version. It works very well and even works when you leave your phone at home, making it perfect for runners who don’t want to carry their phone with them.
When you get home, the app syncs with your iPhone app and publishes your activity to your feed for great compliments. $5.99 / £5.99 / AU$9.99 unlocks additional features in Strava Premium, but it’s a great service even without it.
5. Spotify
Of course, Apple Music users can skip this, but Spotify is surprisingly well integrated into watchOS. The streaming service can be played from your phone, allowing you to select playlists, albums, and control the currently playing song with a tap or two, but it also supports local downloads.
This means you can leave your phone indoors by letting your Apple Watch download a set of playlists and songs to use on your next run.
Sure, the download menu can be a little frustrating at times, but once it appears, it’s a great way to go completely wireless for your next workout.
6. Pocket Cast
Like Spotify, Pocket Casts (and other podcast apps like Overcast) also works great on your Apple Watch. We’re big fans of this app because it syncs extremely well across multiple devices.
The app also allows you to skip podcasts and keep numerous downloads in your “Next” queue without leaving your phone in your pocket. If you don’t have your phone handy and want to listen to episodes on your Watch, you’ll need a Pocket Casts Plus subscription ($39.99 / £38.76 / AU$65 per year).
This price has increased over the years, but with a Plus subscription you can leave your phone at home and listen to anything on your watch anytime.