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Interacting with your app in the watchOS simulator

Use your Mac to control interactions with your watchOS apps in Simulator.

Overview

Simulator offers an environment to run apps in watchOS without installing them on a physical device. When running your app in Simulator, use your Mac to navigate the app’s interface.

Interact with your app’s interface

Use the pointer, keyboard, and menu items to make gestures on a simulated watchOS device.

Gesture

To simulate

Tap

Click.

Double-tap

Double-click

Touch and hold

Click and hold

Shallow press

Choose I/O > Touch Pressure > Shallow Press. Then, click.

Deep press

Choose I/O > Touch Pressure > Deep Press. Then, click.

Shallow or deep presses

On a Mac with a Force Touch Trackpad, choose I/O > Touch Pressure > Use Trackpad Force. Then, click with the desired pressure

Two-finger gestures

Press Option to display touch points. Move the pointer while pressing the Option key to change the distance between the touch points. Move the pointer and hold the Shift and Option keys to reposition the touch points.

Two-finger drag

Hold the Control key and release the mouse to lock the first finger on the drag item, navigate to the drop target, then click on the drag item to move it to the target.

Two-finger pinch, zoom, or rotate

Click and drag while pressing the Option key.

Activate Siri

Choose Device > Siri, or hold the Home button on the device bezel.

Interact with hardware controls

Activate device buttons using menu items or by clicking on parts of the device bezel in Simulator.

Button

To simulate

Push in the Digital Crown

Choose Device > Home. Click the Digital Crown on the device bezel.

Rotate the Digital Crown clockwise

Place the pointer over the Digital Crown on the device bezel and scroll up using a mouse wheel or trackpad. If the bezel is hidden, move the pointer over the simulator window, then scroll up using a mouse wheel or trackpad.

Rotate the Digital Crown counter-clockwise

Place the pointer over the Digital Crown on the device bezel and scroll down using a mouse wheel or trackpad. If the bezel is hidden, move the pointer over the simulator window, then scroll down using a mouse wheel or trackpad.

Click the Side button

Choose Device > Side Button. Click the Side button on the device bezel.

Click the Action button

Choose Device > Side Button. Click the Action button on the device bezel.

See Also

Simulator interactions