I’ve recently bought an Apple Watch and want to discover its full potential. Could you recommend some of the best apps for productivity, fitness, or daily use? I’m overwhelmed by the options in the App Store and would love some firsthand suggestions or must-haves.
You just got an Apple Watch and feel like a kid with a new toy but don’t know what to play with first, huh? Well, buckle up, because there’s a ridiculous number of apps, most of which you’ll download, use once, and then forget even exist. But hey, I’ll save you some of the trouble by listing the actually useful ones (in no particular order because, let’s be honest—who needs another ‘top 10 list’?).
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Streaks – If you’re one of those people who loves making lists just to feel accomplished when you tick things off, this app is pure dopamine. Track habits and goals, feel like a productivity god for a hot second.
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Strava – Cyclist? Runner? Pretend to be either of those things with Strava. Track your workouts, share your fake athletic glory with friends, and analyze your stats like you’re training for the Olympics.
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Autumn – Don’t sleep on this one (pun intended). It’s a mindfulness and meditation app for those ‘zen but make it hustle culture’ vibes.
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Fantastical – Because the built-in Apple Calendar is meh. Fantastical is slick, syncs seamlessly, and even supports dictation. Be the person who actually knows what’s going on in their life—it’s wild.
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CARROT Weather – This weather app is great if you want to know the forecast and be insulted by your watch. Sarcastic, accurate, and a little judgy—just like your inner monologue.
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WaterMinder – Reminder to drink water. Yes, it’s kind of sad that an expensive smartwatch also has to babysit your hydration, but hey, at least you won’t feel like a shriveled raisin by 3 PM.
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Spotify/Pocket Casts – Because music and podcasts make cardio slightly less miserable. Control your playlists without pulling your phone out every five minutes just to skip a song.
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Pillow – Another trendy sleep tracker pretending it can fix your bad habits. It’s not magic, but seeing how little REM sleep you’re getting will remind you how terrible your bedtime scrolling habit is.
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Just Press Record – As it says, hit a button and record. Good for random ideas, to-do lists, or when you want to rant without having to type things out.
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Workout – Honestly, the built-in fitness tracking is underrated. It tracks everything from walks to weird workout trends you think will cure your laziness. It’s straightforward, and hey, closing those Activity Rings feels great until you realize you barely moved all day.
There you go—no need to wade through 10,000 options on the App Store. Keep the “download-and-delete cycle” minimal and try these out. Just don’t go app-crazy and overload the watch, or you’ll hate yourself when something glitches mid-run, and you’re sweating more from rage than effort.
Alright, so you’re diving headfirst into the abyss of Apple Watch apps—brace yourself. Agreeing with SOME of what @espritlibre mentioned, but let me cut through the noise and drop a couple of gems they missed or glossed over.
1. Things 3 – Yep, another productivity app. But this one’s a BEAST if you actually need to organize your life. It syncs with all your devices, so there’s no excuse for “forgetting” your dentist appointment. The interface is chef’s kiss.
2. Citymapper – If you’re always lost in urban chaos, this is your lifesaver. Better than Apple Maps if you’re public transport-dependent. It’s like having a commute cheat sheet on your wrist.
3. Sleep Cycle – Didn’t see this on @espritlibre’s list, but highly recommend. Tracks sleep just like Pillow, but comes with a smart alarm, so it tries to wake you up when you’re in a lighter cycle. Ideal for overambitious mornings… or so I hear.
4. Shazam – This app is so low-key awesome on the Watch. Hear a song you like? Tap your wrist and ID it in seconds. No need to fumble for your phone like you’re auditioning for a rom-com meet-cute.
5. Google Keep – Super handy for quick notes or to-do lists that’ll haunt you across devices. Not as OCD-polished as Things 3, but still solid.
6. Nike Run Club – More specialized than just Strava. If running’s your thing—or you’re guilt-tripping yourself into making it your thing—this app makes it bearable with coaching, challenges, and oddly motivating stats.
Honestly, though, let’s not get carried away with apps. Half the ones you’ll download are either redundant or will ping so many notifications you’ll start resenting the watch itself. Focus on stuff you’ll actually use. Also, shout-out to the built-in Apple Pay; once you realize you can pay for coffee with just your wrist, life will feel absurdly futuristic.
So yeah, start simple. Test apps. Ruthlessly delete the clutter. And remember that sometimes, less is literally more when your wrist is buzzing every other second.
Alright, let’s trim some fat and get to the heart of it—Apple Watch apps you’ll actually use without turning your wrist into a notification landfill.
1. Bear
Pros: A slick writing app, especially for quick notes or ideas. Syncs with iCloud, so you can start a brain dump mid-run and finish it on your Mac later. Great for those who juggle creative chaos.
Cons: If you’re really into structured task organizing, Bear might feel too minimal compared to competitors like Things 3 or Google Keep.
2. Gentler Streak
If tracking your movement rings stresses you out rather than motivates you, this app’s got a more empathetic vibe. It’s like fitness tracking with less judgment.
Pros: Actual useful insights into workouts without the usual Apple Watch intensity hype.
Cons: Strava enthusiasts might find it too soft—it’s less about winning and more about sustainable health.
3. Slack
Weirdly overlooked, but if you’re in remote work or a team setup, you’ll love this. Reply to quick DMs right from your wrist without breaking the flow of whatever you’re doing.
Pros: Perfect for quick replies to team chats without whipping out your phone mid-meeting.
Cons: Can’t escape work. Your wrist will buzz any time your boss gets fussy.
4. Overcast
Yes, Spotify and Pocket Casts are fine. But Overcast dominates for podcasts, thanks to smart speed, intuitive controls, and offline playback.
Pros: Clean interface, easily discoverable custom playlists, no unnecessary bloat.
Cons: Some premium features seem unnecessary if casual podcasting is your thing.
5. Cheatsheet
Tiny but mighty. It lets you save quick notes—like door codes, locker combinations, or your WiFi passwords—in an easy, glanceable interface.
Pros: Hyper-focused app that just works when you need it.
Cons: Limited functionality—it’s not a full-blown notes app, so don’t expect too much.
@espritlibre and @sognonotturno nailed a lot, but…
They missed AutoSleep! Pillow and Sleep Cycle are fine, but AutoSleep’s ability to give detailed graphs without intrusive alarms steals the show. No setup needed, just wear your watch.
Lastly, don’t sleep on Apple’s Timer and Reminders—seriously underrated built-ins that integrate seamlessly into your day. Sometimes the simple stuff is all you need.