How to use the Apple Watch hand washing feature

By Bryan M Wolfe
published

watchOS 7 Hand Washing
watchOS 7 Hand Washing (Image credit: Joseph Keller / iMore)

The watchOS 7 update, which has been well-received, for Apple Watch includes a feature most of us wouldn't have imagined needing just a few short months ago. With the new update, Apple Watch automatically starts a 20-second timer whenever it detects you're washing your hands. By doing so, you can better protect yourself (and others) from COVID-19 and other viruses and germs.

You can find the Apple Watch hand washing feature on the Apple Watch Series 3 and later. Each is on our list of the best Apple Watch models of the year. We also love Apple Watch bands, which we're sure you do too.

Wash Those Hands

To use the hand washing feature, it must first be activated directly on the Watch. To do so:

  1. Push on the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch.
  2. Select the Settings app.

To use the hand washing feature on Apple Watch, you need to turn it on. Push on the Digital Crown, then select the Settings app. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Scroll down, choose Handwashing.
  2. Toggle on Handwashing Timer.

To use the hand washing feature on Apple Watch, scroll down, choose Handwashing, then toggle Handwashing Timer. (Image credit: iMore)

Apple Watch will now detect when you're washing your hands. When it does, it begins a countdown with sounds on the Watch face. It will alert you when it's time to stop.

Any questions?

Let us know if you have any questions about the new Apple Watch hand washing feature or the watchOS 7 update below.

Bryan M Wolfe
Bryan M Wolfe
Staff Writer

Bryan M. Wolfe has written about technology for over a decade on various websites, including TechRadar, AppAdvice, and many more. Before this, he worked in the technology field across different industries, including healthcare and education. He’s currently iMore’s lead on all things Mac and macOS, although he also loves covering iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Bryan enjoys watching his favorite sports teams, traveling, and driving around his teenage daughter to her latest stage show, audition, or school event in his spare time. He also keeps busy walking his black and white cocker spaniel, Izzy, and trying new coffees and liquid grapes.

3 Comments
  • The Handwashing functionality dont work on the Series 5 (Iam not the only one) or so badly that it very seldom register anything. It would be very helpful to know under witch circumstances this functionality is assumed to work. I suppose that the sound of handwash is the same in Cupertino and Oslo
  • I have a series 3 LTE watch and the setting just isn’t even there. It’s not on the iPhone Watch app either (though it shows up in a search, but does nothing when tapped on in the search results).
  • Hey there... this feature will work on apple watch series 4 and later. The author of this content doing mistake for righting series 3 instead of series 4.