Previous versions of watchOS allowed the Apple Watch to be used as a remote control for Apple TV, but with limited functionality. With watchOS 11, the smartwatch has the potential to completely replace the Siri Remote that currently comes with Apple’s streaming box, with new features discovered by 9to5Mac.
Prior to watchOS 11, Apple Watch remote apps could only be used to play and pause videos, or navigate tvOS using swipe gestures to browse menus and tap the screen to make selections. It’s useful if you don’t have access to your Apple TV’s remote, but it won’t completely replace its functionality.
The company has updated the Apple Watch user guide on its website to include the new remote app features introduced in watchOS 11. . You can also click the three-dot button to mute and unmute audio, activate subtitles, and power on and off the Apple TV.
The latest Apple Watch update also expands the wearable’s health features to detect signs of sleep apnea, which if left untreated can increase the risk of more serious conditions like type 2 diabetes. So while it’s useful to use an Apple Watch to replace a lost remote or find a lost iPhone, there are even more compelling reasons to buy it.
