Wearables 10 underrated Apple Watch features you can set up in minutes These features don’t usually see the spotlight. By Will Shanklin June 16, 2026 2:30 pm EST Will Shanklin for Engadget Much is often made of "hidden" features in Apple products. But the fact is, every version of the company's hardware and software have been pored over so thoroughly that nothing is truly a secret. Some tools do fly under the radar, though. If uncovering functions that are off the beaten path is something you enjoy, here are 10 lesser-known Apple Watch features worth checking out. Unlock your Mac Will Shanklin for Engadget We'll start with an oldie but a goodie: the Auto Unlock feature that debuted in macOS Sierra in 2016.
You can avoid typing your Mac's login password just by wearing your Apple Watch. A satisfying haptic click as you sit down by your machine lets you know the gates have opened. Most modern MacBooks ship with Touch ID, which has diminished the feature's usefulness a bit. But it's still handy for setups without Touch ID, whether that's the entry-level MacBook Neo , an older MacBook or any desktop model (or MacBook in clamshell mode) with an external monitor.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2195465/underrated-apple-watch-features/
You can avoid typing your Mac's login password just by wearing your Apple Watch. A satisfying haptic click as you sit down by your machine lets you know the gates have opened. Most modern MacBooks ship with Touch ID, which has diminished the feature's usefulness a bit. But it's still handy for setups without Touch ID, whether that's the entry-level MacBook Neo , an older MacBook or any desktop model (or MacBook in clamshell mode) with an external monitor.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2195465/underrated-apple-watch-features/