The best Apple Watch apps do one job quickly from your wrist: track sleep without fuss, record a workout, show your next train, name a song or nudge you to drink water. The watch is for glances, so the apps worth installing are the ones you'll use for a few seconds many times a day. Ten apps follow in no particular order.
An Apple Watch arrives with good built-in apps, but third-party apps are where it gets personal. A runner, a commuter and a light sleeper will want very different things on their wrist, and the right handful of apps can make the watch far more useful.
The ten apps below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, across sleep, fitness, travel, music, audio and habits. Each description comes from the app's own App Store listing, re-checked this week. If notifications are already overwhelming you, my guide to Snapchat notifications on Apple Watch shows how to tame one noisy app.
Apple Watch apps at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the app's own store listing or site describes free use or a free download, Trial only means a time-limited trial and No means neither is stated on the pages we read. Many free apps carry ads or sell optional upgrades.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| AutoSleep | Sleep tracker | Hands-off sleep tracking | No |
| Citymapper | Transit planner | City travel on the wrist | Yes |
| Gentler Streak | Fitness tracker | Balancing activity and rest | Yes |
| Just Press Record | Audio recorder | Recording ideas instantly | No |
| Pillow | Sleep tracker | Sleep cycle analysis | Yes |
| Shazam | Music recognition | Naming a song quickly | Yes |
| Strava | Fitness tracker | Runs and rides with friends | Yes |
| Streaks | Habit tracker | Building daily habits | No |
| WaterMinder | Hydration tracker | Drinking more water | Yes |
| WorkOutDoors | Outdoor workout maps | Turn-by-turn on the wrist | No |
Ten Apple Watch apps
AutoSleep
Best for: Sleepers who want tracking that just happens overnight, without pressing start or stop on their wrist.
Citymapper
Best for: City commuters who want live departures and step-by-step directions showing on the watch while they travel.
Gentler Streak
Best for: Exercisers who'd rather keep a healthy streak going without the guilt, with rest days built into the plan.
Just Press Record
Best for: Writers and students who want to record ideas or lectures from the wrist with one tap and get a transcript later.
Pillow
Best for: Light sleepers who want their sleep cycles analysed automatically using the watch they already wear to bed.
Shazam
Best for: Music lovers who want to identify a song playing nearby with a tap on the wrist, before the track ends.
Strava
Best for: Runners and cyclists who want to record workouts on the watch and share them with friends and clubs.
Streaks
Best for: Habit builders who want to tick off up to a handful of daily goals from the wrist and keep their streak alive.
WaterMinder
Best for: Forgetful drinkers who want gentle reminders and a quick tap to log water, coffee or tea during the day.
WorkOutDoors
Best for: Hikers and trail runners who want detailed maps, routes and turn-by-turn navigation running on the watch.
Apps that work without your iPhone nearby
Apple Developer documentation encourages independent watchOS apps that don't require a companion iOS app, because Apple Watch users expect their apps to work even when they don't have their iPhones with them.
What that means for you: not every app works the same way when you leave your phone at home. If you plan to run, swim or walk the dog with just your watch, check the app's listing for independent use and test it once before you rely on it.
Glances, complications and quick actions
The most useful watch apps barely need opening. They show information as a complication on your watch face, send a short notification or let you act with one tap. An app that needs lots of scrolling on a tiny screen usually belongs on your phone instead.
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When you install something new, add it to a watch face straight away. If you don't miss it after a week, remove it and keep the watch fast and tidy.
Setting up a new watch app well
- Install it from the App Store on your iPhone or the watch itself.
- Open it once on the watch to grant permissions.
- Add it as a complication on the face you use most.
- Trim its notifications in the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Check whether it needs your phone nearby to work.
- Remove it if you haven't used it after a week.
Keeping your watch fast
Every app you add takes a little storage and can send notifications. Turning off automatic app installs in the Watch app on your iPhone stops every phone app you download from appearing on your wrist. That keeps the watch to the apps you chose on purpose.
Health and fitness apps on your wrist
Sleep and fitness apps are the reason many people buy an Apple Watch, and they're also where apps differ the most. Some track everything automatically in the background; others ask you to start a session. Automatic tracking is easier to stick with, but it can use more battery overnight.
If you're tracking sleep, charge the watch at a regular time each day, such as while you shower, so it's ready for bed. If you're tracking workouts, decide whether you want everything in one app or a separate app for runs and walks.
It's also worth remembering that a watch gives you trends, not a diagnosis. If something in your health data worries you, talk to your doctor rather than relying on a score.
Do you make an Apple Watch app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing Apple Watch apps
Install fewer apps than you think you need. Pick one for the thing you do most, whether that's sleep, workouts or travel, put it on your main watch face and live with it for a week before adding more.
Apps sold as a one-off download can work out better over time than subscriptions, so read the listing before you commit. For more free guides, browse my free resources library.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Apple Watch apps?
The ones you'll glance at daily: sleep, workouts, transit, music recognition, water reminders or habits, depending on your routine.
Can Apple Watch apps work without an iPhone?
Some can. Apple encourages independent watchOS apps that don't need a companion iPhone app.
How do I add apps to my Apple Watch?
Install them from the App Store on the watch or through your iPhone, then open them once to set permissions.
Do Apple Watch apps drain the battery?
Some do, especially those using GPS or the heart rate sensor for long periods. Check battery settings if you notice a drop.
Are there free Apple Watch apps?
Yes. Several apps here are free downloads, while some charge a one-off download.
What is a complication on Apple Watch?
A small piece of app information shown on your watch face, like the next train or your sleep score.
