How to Use Siri Effectively on Your Apple Watch

By Marc Saltzman

Everything you can do with your fingers on Apple Watch, you can do with Siri — if not more — and in less time. A good way to demonstrate its versatility is to look at a number of built-in Apple Watch apps and some examples of how you can use Siri to get what you want.

Remember, you don’t need to open an app first to start talking to Siri — but you do need to enable Siri on Apple Watch when you first set up the watch. And you must also enable Siri to work hands-free in the Apple Watch’s Settings tab. Enable “Hey, Siri” to lift your wrist and speak — without having to press the Digital Crown button.

It works in the main Home screen mode, while accessing the clock, or in any app you find yourself in, such as asking Siri for Map directions even though you’re using the Music app at the time.

If you’re unsure about all the things Siri is capable of, say “Siri, what can you do?” on your iPhone and you should see a huge list of things!

To activate Siri, raise your wrist and say “Hey, Siri,” followed by your question or command. Alternatively, you can press and hold the Digital Crown button to activate Siri. With the latter option, you don’t have to say “Siri” or “Hey, Siri” first.

Clock/World Clock apps

Some examples of using Siri for time-related tasks include:

“What time is it?”
“What time is it in Dubai?”
“What time will the sun rise in Brisbane?”
“How many days until Christmas?”
“What day of the week will it be on June 10, 2017?”

Messages app

Some examples of using Siri for sending and receiving messages include:

“Read me my messages.”
“Do I have any messages from ___ (name)?”
“Text my wife ‘Hey hon, how’s your day going?’”
“Text 212-555-1212. ‘I’m looking forward to our after-work drink tonight.’”
“Text Julie and Frank ‘Where are you guys?’”
“Reply ‘That’s awesome news!’”

Phone/Contacts apps

Some examples of using Siri for making calls or looking up Contacts information include:

“Call Mom.”
“Dial 212-555-1212.”
“What’s Michael Smith’s address?”
“What’s my sister’s work address?”
“Learn how to pronounce my name.”
“Show Jennifer’s location.”

Mail app

Some examples of using Siri for looking for email include:

“Show me my email” or “Check email.”
“Do I have any email from Bob Jones?”
“Show the email from Natasha yesterday.”

Calendar app

Some examples of using Siri for accessing Calendar information include:

“Show me what appointments I have on Monday.”
“When is my next meeting?”
“When’s my next appointment?”
“Move my 12 p.m. meeting to 1 p.m.”
“Cancel the meeting at 4 p.m.”

Activity/Workout apps

Some examples of using Siri for fitness-related tasks include:

“Open the Activity app.”
“Open the Workout app.”
“See Move information in Activity.”
“See Stand information in Activity.”
“See Exercise information in Activity.”
“Open Indoor Walk in Workout app.”
“What’s my heart rate?”

Maps app

Some examples of using Siri for looking for directions or for a local business include:

“Show my location on a map.”
“Where is my closest coffee shop?”
“Take me home.” Siri might ask you where you live the first time you say this (or it pulls the information from your Contacts).
“Take me to Grand Central Station.”
“What’s my next turn?”
“Give me directions to Mom’s office.”
“Find a gas station.”
“Find the best sushi restaurant in Miami.”

Music app

Some examples of using Siri for playing music include:

“Play Madonna.”
“Play Workout playlist.”
“What song is playing?”
“Shuffle my music.”
“Play rock music.”
“Play ‘Sugar’ by Maroon 5.”
“Skip this track.”

Miscellaneous

Some other examples of a few other random — but fun — things you can do with Siri on Apple Watch include:

“What’s the weather outside?”
“What’s it going to be like this week?”
“Do I need a coat?”
“How are my stocks doing?”
“What’s the Apple stock at?”
“How’s the Dow Jones doing?”
“Set an alarm for 7 a.m.”
“Set an alarm for one hour from now.”
“Wake me up in 30 minutes.”
“Open Passbook.”
“Open Stopwatch.”
“Open Timer.”
“Open Settings.”

Because it takes only a quick Siri request to set up a reminder, you might be tempted to do this while driving. But even a minor distraction could cause an accident, so resist using Apple Watch and Siri until you’ve parked the car.