watchOS 8.3: AssistiveTouch also arrives on older Apple Watch models

With AssistiveTouch, we can use gestures to navigate and use our Apple Watch.

The watchOS 8.3 release candidate brings the AssistiveTouch feature  to older Apple Watch models after the feature was previously exclusive to new models only.

Unveiled in May as part of its ongoing commitment to making its products accessible to as many people as possible, AssistiveTouch uses a combination of data from Apple Watch sensors to notice subtle changes in muscle movement and tendon activity.

Using certain gestures such as clenching the fist, users can control their Apple Watch without touching the screen.

AssistiveTouch for watchOS allows people with upper body problems to use Apple Watch without ever having to touch the display or controls. Using built-in motion sensors and on-device learning, Apple Watch detects subtle differences in muscle movement and tendon activity, allowing you to control the display through hand gestures.

This feature also works with VoiceOver, so you can navigate Apple Watch with one hand while using a cane or driving a service animal. Answer incoming calls, control an on-screen motion pointer, and access Notification Center, Control Center, and more.

The feature was previously exclusive to new Apple Watch models, such as the Series 6 and Apple Watch SE. Now, with the latest beta versions of watchOS 8.3 and the release candidate released this week, Apple has expanded the feature to include older Apple Watch models like the Series 4 and Series 5.