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Accessible Apple: Apple Watch Setup with VoiceOver, The Missing Guide

Introduction

Earlier, I detailed how to get an Apple Watch Try-on Appointment if you have an interest in looking at the device’s accessibility features. In this installment, I will detail some tips and tricks to help VoiceOver users completing the pairing process used for linking an Apple Watch with an iPhone.

Background

I was originally going to write an end-to-end guide on pairing the Apple Watch with an iPhone. However, before I could, Twitter user Caitlin McMarrow pointed me to Apple’s Apple Watch VoiceOver Setup guide. I will dedicate the remainder of this guide to address tips and tricks I found while pairing an Apple Watch with an iPhone 6.

Pairing With VoiceOver

My notes below are written to supplement the Apple’s official instructions.

Step 1: It may take up to 2 minutes from when you begin the Apple Watch boot up for the process to complete.

Step 6 (A): Make sure you have the latest iOS update, currently iOS 8.3. You can check that you have the latest software update by going into Settings -> General -> Software Update. If you have versions earlier than 8.2, you will not have the Apple Watch app.

Step 6 (B): You can use Siri on the ipHone to launch the Apple Watch app. Press the Home Button until you hear a double tone. Release the Home Button and say “Open Apple Watch”. The app will then open.

Step 8.1: To attempt automatic pairing, locate the camera lens on your iPhone. It can be found on the top right-hand corner of the back face of the phone.

Step 8.2: Place the Apple Watch face up on a table.

Step 8.3: Place the camera lens in the centre of the Apple Watch’s display.

Step 8.4: Lift the iPhone slowly to a height of about 15.2 cm (6 Inches).

Step 8.5: You will hear a pairing confirmation.

Step 8.6: If the above fails, lower the iPhone back to the watch’s display and try again. Alternatively, refer to Steps 9 to 13 of the Apple guide for manual pairing instructions.

Next Up

In the next installment, I will be rounding up a list of resources that will help users learn the accessibility features of the Apple Watch.

Stay tuned!!!

Wrapping Up

I hope the above helps with your Apple Watch setup.

I look forward to hearing your Apple Watch experiences and please share in the comments below or on Twitter. Questions and comments are also welcome.

Steve Sande
the authorSteve Sande
Steve is the founder and former publisher of Apple World Today and has authored a number of books about Apple products. He's an avid photographer, an FAA-licensed drone pilot, and a really bad guitarist. Steve and his wife Barb love to travel everywhere!