At WWDC 2024, Apple unveiled an exciting new feature in watchOS 11: the ability to check in with friends to ensure your safety when you step out.
This feature, originally part of iOS 17, is now extended to outdoor workouts on the Apple Watch, providing an additional layer of security for users during their exercise routines.
If you're worried that something might happen to you during your workouts, this feature will help you out a lot.
Safety Feature During Exercise
The Check In feature can be particularly beneficial for various users. If an athlete is recovering from sprains or any form of injury, he/she can benefit from this. In case you're having late-night runs with your friends or alone, it's one way to tell your friends that you're outside and safe.
This extension ensures that a valuable safety tool is available in more scenarios, offering peace of mind to users and their loved ones.
Read also: Apple Watch Users Will Get these Features on WatchOS 11: Effort Rating, Double Tap API, and More
How Check In Works on watchOS 11
Initially launched with iOS 17, Check In allowed users to inform a loved one when they were leaving for a journey. If the user didn't arrive by the designated time, the iPhone would automatically notify the chosen contact, providing details such as the user's location and battery level.
With watchOS 11, the Cupertino tech firm brings this feature to the Apple Watch. Integrated into the Smart Stack widget, it offers a quick and convenient way to start Check In from your wrist. Additionally, embedding this feature into the Workouts app enhances its utility, making it a seamless part of the workout experience.
Using Check In During Workouts
At the WWDC event, Apple highlighted the inclusion of Check In in the Workouts app but shared limited details. However, the process is straightforward: users can open the Workouts app on their Apple Watch, start a workout, and swipe right to access Check In.
If something unexpected occurs, such as a delay or an incident, the feature will notify the chosen contact, making it ideal for evening walks or countryside jogs, per MacRumors.
Furthermore, users can activate Check In reminders via the Settings app. By exploring the Workout section, they can enable prompts that remind them to start Check In whenever they begin an outdoor workout, ensuring the feature is always utilized when needed.
Comparison with Competitors
Apple's Check In feature mirrors similar functionalities offered by Garmin's LiveTrack and Strava's Beacon, both of which allow others to track your activities to ensure your safety, according to TechRadar.
By integrating this feature directly into the Apple Watch, Apple makes it easier for its users to access these safety benefits without needing additional apps or devices.
The introduction of the Check In feature in watchOS 11 gives an advantage to Apple Watch users who want to inform their friends about their safety during workouts.
Apple knows what its smartwatch users really need, making it easier to stay connected and safe during outdoor activities. Aside from Check In, watchOS 11 will also bring pregnancy tracking, training load, and other health features.
