Gallery: The Only Apple Watch Apps You Actually Need

  • Image may contain Electronics Phone Mobile Phone Cell Phone and Clock
    Roomie Remote
    01

    roomie remote

    The [Roomie Remote](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/roomie-remote-universal-remote/id431497717?mt=8) Apple Watch app means you never have to worry about losing your regular remote—because it’s attached to your body. But Roomie is much more than a television remote: Not only can it control cable boxes, TiVo, and AppleTV, it can also work with Wi-Fi-controlled devices such as smart thermostats and lights. Not sure if a home appliance is Wi-Fi compatible? Roomie also makes [a device](http://www.roomieremote.com/products/roomie-blaster/ "a device") that changes infrared sensors (like old school TV remotes) into Wi-Fi signals.
  • Image may contain Emily Blunt Human Person Electronics Phone Mobile Phone Cell Phone and Text
    Tinder
    02

    tinder2

    If deciding whether to swipe left or right has made traditional Tinder too stressful, the [Apple Watch version](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tinder/id547702041?mt=8 "Tinder") provides a hands-free alternative. By measuring the user’s heart rate while looking at a potential match, the app can tell what your body thinks about the other person. If heart rate goes up it’s a match, and if not, a pass. Even if your mind is telling you no, your body could be telling you yes. Gimmicky? Sure. Still sort of fun and novel? Definitely.
  • Image may contain Electronics GPS Phone Mobile Phone and Cell Phone
    Tamagotchi
    03

    tamagotchi2

    While games on a tiny screen seem like an infuriating concept, there are some that sort of belong. The cuteness of a little virtual pet in your pocket is what caused Tamagotchi to achieve international success decades ago. Now, the game franchise [has adjusted](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tamagotchi-classic-original/id985927350?mt=8 "Tamagotchi") to the newer technology of the Apple Watch, and it’s as ridiculous and fun as ever. Maybe this time you’ll take better care of your little friends.
  • Image may contain Cell Phone Electronics Mobile Phone and Phone
    Citymapper
    04

    citymapper2

    Analog watches can make sure that you get somewhere on time, but if your Apple Watch has [Citymapper](https://itunes.apple.com/US/app/id469463298?mt=8 "Citymapper"), it can also tell you how to get there. The app can give directions for both driving and public transit, and provide live bus and train schedules. It even notifies the user through a tap on the wrist when it’s time to make the next turn or get off the bus. Sorry, it cannot control traffic.
  • Image may contain Electronics Phone Mobile Phone Cell Phone and Light
    Nike+ Running
    05

    nikerunning2

    Numerous exercise apps are trying to take advantage of the Apple Watch’s heart rate monitor, yet none come close to [Nike+ Running](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nike+-running/id387771637?mt=8 "Nike+ Running"). And it does way more than just that: With features like GPS-tracked runs, activity and progress statistics, and the option to add friends, it’s a great motivator.
  • Image may contain Electronics Phone Mobile Phone and Cell Phone
    Instagram
    06

    instagram2

    Not every social app belongs on the Apple Watch. [Instagram](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/instagram/id389801252?mt=8 "Instagram"), however, is one of the few that feel right at home on your wrist. There’s something about those little square pictures that make sense on the Watch’s small display. And because the picture feed is nearly identical to the mobile app, it’s even easier to get your daily dose of likes.
  • Image may contain Electronics Phone Mobile Phone Cell Phone and GPS
    Find Near Me
    07

    find near me

    Searching via the Apple Watch is a chore, and you’re likely to give up and go for the phone if you truly need to figure something out. However if all you need is a short suggestion on where to eat or where the nearest gas station is, a couple of taps in [Find Near Me](https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/find-near-me-for-iphone-find/id353369769?mt=8 "Find Near Me") will get you there.
  • Image may contain Electronics Phone Mobile Phone Cell Phone Human Person Text Document and Id Cards
    Shazam
    08

    shazam2

    [Shazam](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shazam/id284993459?mt=8 "Shazam") might be one of the few apps that makes more sense on the Apple Watch: All you really need this app to do is listen and report back—the extra features inside the phone apps are fun, but really not all that necessary to its core function.
  • Image may contain Cell Phone Electronics Mobile Phone Phone and Text
    Clear
    09

    clear

    Productivity apps are a hard sell for the Apple Watch. It’s just too small, and your time too important—something could be easily missed or accidentally dismissed. But [Clear](https://itunes.apple.com/US/app/id493136154?mt=8 "Clear")’s extremely minimal UI, checklist-like setup, and focus on decluttering makes it perfect for for such a small screen.
  • Image may contain Text Label Cell Phone Electronics Mobile Phone and Phone
    MacID
    10

    unlock2

    Nothing flashy here, just pure ease of use: Use the Apple Watch’s fingerprint sensor to [unlock your Mac](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/macid-for-ios-and-apple-watch/id948478740?mt=8 "MacID") remotely. That’s it.
  • Image may contain Text
    Dart
    11

    Dart

    If you absolutely have to use your Apple Watch for email, you should try [Dart](http://dart.email/ "Dart"). Your emails come with prewritten responses for the recipient, so whatever they send back is sure to be easy and quick to read—you won’t sit there, squinting into that tiny display, trying to figure out what on earth that novel of an email says.
  • Image may contain Cell Phone Electronics Mobile Phone and Phone
    ProCamera 8
    12

    camerapro2

    [ProCamera 8](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/procamera-8-+-hdr/id694647259?mt=8 "ProCamera 8") turns the Apple Watch into a remote shutter with a few other features to boot (like the ability to take multiple shots and set a timer). The app also has editing features if you want to try and do that from your watch, but really, the remote control from your wrist is what sells this.
Read More
The Best Water Filter Pitchers for PFAS- and Lead-Free Living
Water filters promise the moon—but only some back up their claims. Here are the best filtered-water pitchers for those who prefer their water free of heavy metals and forever chemicals.
Matthew Korfhage
The Internet's Most Powerful Archiving Tool Is in Peril
As major news outlets cut off the Wayback Machine, journalists and advocacy groups are rallying to protect the Internet Archive’s vast collection of web pages.
Kate Knibbs
The Dumbest Hack of the Year Exposed a Very Real Problem
Last April, a hacker hijacked crosswalk announcements to mimic Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk. Records obtained by WIRED reveal how unprepared local authorities were.
Paresh Dave
AI Agents Are Coming for Your Dating Life
The developers of Pixel Societies are using AI agents to simulate social interactions. It's an attempt optimize the process of choosing new colleagues, friends, and even romantic partners.
Joel Khalili
A Lot of Shops Won't Fix Electric Bikes. Here's Why
Bike shop mechanics have lost fingers and their shirts while repairing ebikes of dubious origins. Make sure yours is repairable and third-party certified.
Stephanie Pearson
The Audacity Is the Broligarchy Takedown You Were Waiting For
AMC’s new black comedy about a manchild tech titan spinning out of control is a skewering Silicon Valley’s billionaire class deserves.
Miles Klee
It’s a Tablet! It’s a Laptop! After Testing the Best 2-in-1s, Here’s What I Recommend
Whether you want a detachable tablet or a laptop screen that spins, these 2-in-1 devices manage to balance being both a tablet and a laptop.
Luke Larsen
There’s a Secret Ingredient to Making Luxury Ice at Home
Nice ice is big business, but you can get perfectly clear cubes at home without freezing your assets.
Jeremy White
The Screenmaxxers Who Spend Every Waking Hour on Their Phones
As debates over social media addiction rage, people with extreme screen times tell WIRED they have no plans to cut back.
Miles Klee
Mammotion’s Spino E1 Pool Cleaner Isn’t Bad for the Price—It's Just Not That Good
This compact pool robot keeps its price down, but its performance doesn’t match that of more capable cleaners.
Christopher Null
The Best Coffee Mug Warmers Are Smart. But They Don’t Need an App
The first rule of coffee is that it must stay hot. After weeks or even years of testing, these are the three coffee warmers that will best keep it that way.
Matthew Korfhage
Crimson Desert Is a Cat Dad Simulator
Step into the shoes of the strongest, goodest boy in a game that is beautiful, baffling, and impossible to put down.