How to use Check In on your Apple Watch in watchOS 26

1. Install watchOS 26

Before trying the Check In feature on your Apple Watch, download and install watchOS 26, Apple’s latest smartwatch operating system. Need help? Here’s a step-by-step explainer on how to install watchOS 26, including a list of eligible models.

2. Open your Smart Stack and scroll down to edit the widgets

Once you have watchOS 26 up and running, it’s time to add the Check In widget to your Smart Stack. To do this, swipe up from the bottom of the homescreen to open the Smart Stack. Next, scroll to the bottom of the widget list and tap the edit button. Next, tap the plus sign to select new widgets to add.

3. Select the Check In widget and add it to your Smart Stack

Scroll through the widget list until you see ‘Check In’ and tap it. The next screen will present a preview of what the widget looks like in full. Tap on the widget again to generate a preview of it in your Smart Stack. Then, tap the check mark in the upper left corner to officially add it to your Smart Stack.

4. Return to your Smart Stack and tap the Check In widget

Now it’s time to send your first Check In. From the homescreen of the Apple Watch, swipe up to open the Smart Stack, scroll down until you find the yellow Check In widget, and tap it to start a Check In.

5. Choose your recipient via dictation, address book or search

The first step of a Check In is to choose your recipient(s), either via dictation, address book search, or manually entering a phone number.

6. Choose how you want to Check In: timer, destination or workout

Once you’ve selected your Check In recipients, it’s time to select how the Check In will be generated. Tap ‘edit’ in the upper grey box and then tap ‘Check In.’ Here you’ll be presented with three options. ‘When I arrive’ is based on destination and will alert your selected contacts when you safely arrive using GPS data.

‘After a timer’ is based on time elapsed. When it expires, you’ll be notified to Check In. Failing to do so alerts your contacts and sends your location data.

‘When a workout ends’ sends an alert to your contacts when you’ve manually completed an exercise in the Workout app, letting them know you’ve made it home safely. This one is particularly useful for folks who like to solo run, hike, bike, or walk an outdoor route.

7. Edit the send details

When checking in via arrival, simply search and select your destination. Tap the checkmark in the upper right corner to verify your selection.

If you’re checking in via a timer, options are in increments of five minutes up to eight hours. Flick your finger to scroll through the minutes and hours. Click ‘Done’ when you’re happy with your selection and again tap the checkmark in the upper right to verify everything.

To Check In via workout, you’ll need to open the Workout app, select an exercise, and start it. Then, scroll to the left and then down to select Check In. From there, you can edit the details and send your Check In.

8. Send your Check In

The final step, once all the important details of your safety Check In are locked down, is to click ‘Send’ to launch your Check In message and alert your recipients.