Apple’s Check In security feature was introduced about a year ago on iPhone with the launch of iOS 17. Now it’s coming to your Apple Watch via watchOS 11. Currently in public beta, the operating system is expected to be fully released this fall.
Whether you’ve used Check In on your iPhone before or are new to it, setting it up is easy and customizable. The tool lets you keep one or more trusted contacts informed of your location and well-being. It can also automatically send your location data if a Check In isn’t completed successfully.
However, this feature is somewhat buried in the Apple Watch’s Messages app. Here’s how to find and use Apple’s Check In security feature on your Apple Watch running watchOS 11 in seven easy steps.
Detailed screenshot of an Apple Watch SE on a bright blue background showing the steps to set up and send a recording notification in watchOS 11. This image shows how to perform the recording via the destination
(Photo credit: Dan Bracaglia/Tom’s Guide)
How to use Check In on your Apple Watch in watchOS 11
Install watchOS 11 beta
Open the Messages app and start a new message
Tap the + sign at the bottom, scroll down and tap “Record”
Choose how you want to check in: via timer, destination or workout completion
Edit details
Send your Check In
Cancel or change your registration at any time via Messages
Read on to see full illustrated instructions for each step.
1. Install watchOS 11 beta
Close-up of the Apple Watch SE 2022 and Apple's Activity app where you can now pause ringtones
(Image: © Dan Bracaglia/Tom’s Guide)
Before you try Check In on your Apple Watch, you need to: download and install watchOS 11 betaThe official release won’t happen for another few months, but anyone with a compatible device, including the Apple Watch Series 6 and newer, the Apple Watch SE 2022, and both Apple Watch Ultra models, can try it out.
Here’s how to download the watchOS 11 public beta on your own Apple Watch. It took me about an hour to install. Make sure you have at least 50% battery before installation.
2. Open the Messages app and start a new message
Detailed screenshot of an Apple Watch SE on a bright blue background showing the steps to set up and send a check-in notification in watchOS 11
(Image: © Dan Bracaglia/Tom’s Guide)
First of all, Open the Messages app and start a new message. You can register with one contact or multiple people. Then, press “Create Message”.
3. Tap the + sign at the bottom, scroll down and tap “Record”
Detailed screenshot of an Apple Watch SE on a bright blue background showing the steps to set up and send a check-in notification in watchOS 11
(Image: © Dan Bracaglia/Tom’s Guide)
Click on the + sign which appears to the left of the message field. Scroll down to the penultimate option. Press “Record”.
4. Choose how you want to record: timer, destination or training
Detailed screenshot of an Apple Watch SE on a bright blue background showing the steps to set up and send a check-in notification in watchOS 11
(Image: © Dan Bracaglia/Tom’s Guide)
Here you will be presented with three options. “When I arrive” is based on the destination and will alert your selected contacts when you arrive safely using GPS data.
“After a timer” is based on elapsed time. After this period, you will be prompted to check in. If you do not, your contacts will be alerted and your location data will be sent.
“When a workout ends” sends an alert to your contacts when you manually complete an exercise in the Workout appto let them know you got home safely. This device is especially useful for people who enjoy solo running, hiking, biking or walking an outdoor route.
5. Edit the details
Detailed screenshot of an Apple Watch SE on a bright blue background showing the steps to set up and send a check-in notification in watchOS 11
(Image: © Dan Bracaglia/Tom’s Guide)
When Check-in via arrivalsimply search and select your destination. Press the check mark in the upper right corner to check your selection.
If you are recording via timeroptions are in five minute increments up to eight hours. Slide your finger to scroll through the minutes and hours. Click “Done” when you are satisfied with your selection and again press the check mark at the top right to check everything.
HAS Recording via trainingyou will need open the Training app, select an exercise and start itThen scroll left, then down to Select Check In. From there you can Edit the details and send your Check In.
6. Send your Check In
Detailed screenshot of an Apple Watch SE on a bright blue background showing the steps to set up and send a check-in notification in watchOS 11
(Image: © Dan Bracaglia/Tom’s Guide)
The final step, once all the important details of your security recording are locked down, is to Click “Send” to start your recording message and alert your recipients.
7. Cancel or change your registration at any time via Messages
Detailed screenshot of an Apple Watch SE on a bright blue background showing the steps to set up and send a check-in notification in watchOS 11
(Image: © Dan Bracaglia/Tom’s Guide)
If for any reason you wish complete your registration earlysimply return to Messages appselect the message with your Check In, click on “Details”And scroll down to “Cancel Recording”. Tap and confirm your cancellation. That’s it; your recipient will be notified that the recording has been completed.
You can also change and confirm your Check In settings from here, whether by adding more time or changing the destination.
Detailed screenshot of an Apple Watch SE on a bright blue background showing the steps to set up and send a check-in notification in watchOS 11
(Photo credit: Dan Bracaglia/Tom’s Guide)
And there you have it, how to connect to your Apple Watch in watchOS 11 effortlessly. This is a very handy feature if you’re going on an outdoor adventure, even if you’re traveling in a group, on a first date, on a road trip, or in any other scenario where safety is paramount.
Want to get the most out of your Apple Watch? If you’ve already made the jump to the watchOS 11 beta, you can now (finally) pause your Apple Watch activity rings.
Here’s also how to use Apple’s handy double-tap gesture, how to track sleep on Apple Watch, and how to retrace your steps and stay safe while hiking with Apple Watch’s Backtrack feature.
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