Apple Watch Getting Hand Washing Feature With 20-Second Countdown and Haptic Feedback

No more having to hum the "happy birthday" song to yourself twice, as the Apple Watch features a new hand washing feature in watchOS 7.

hand washing watchos 7 screenshot
Using its motion sensors and microphone, the Apple Watch automatically detects hand washing and starts a 20‑second timer, which is how long the CDC and many other health organizations recommend washing your hands. If your Apple Watch detects that you've stopped washing your hands early, it will encourage you to continue for the full 20 seconds.

In addition, the Apple Watch can remind you to wash your hands when you get home.

watchOS 7 is available in beta for registered Apple developers today, with a public beta to follow next month. The software update will be released to all users with an Apple Watch Series 3 or newer in the fall.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 9

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Series Is Less Than Two Months Away: Everything We Know

Thursday July 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series around mid-September, which means we are about two months out from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. To bring ...
Apple Intelligence General Feature

Apple Intelligence Now Available in New iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia Developer Betas

Monday July 29, 2024 10:07 am PDT by
Apple is today providing developers with the first betas of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, with the new software introducing an early version of the Apple Intelligence features. These new betas will be in testing alongside the current iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia 15 betas. Developers can choose whether to opt into the new betas with Apple Intelligence, or stay on the ...
Apple Intelligence General Feature

Report: Apple Intelligence Delayed to iOS 18.1 in October

Sunday July 28, 2024 11:52 am PDT by
Apple Intelligence will miss its initial expected launch date to give Apple more time to fix bugs, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. According to individuals with knowledge about Apple's plans, the company now plans to start rolling out Apple Intelligence in software updates by October, arriving several weeks after the launch of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. This means that Apple...
T Mobile Generic Feature Pink 1

T-Mobile Sued for Breaking Lifetime Price Guarantees

Friday July 26, 2024 2:44 pm PDT by
T-Mobile customers have filed a lawsuit [PDF] against the carrier, alleging that it failed to honor a guarantee not to raise the prices of select cellular plans. The lawsuit, first spotted by Wired, claims that back in 2017, T-Mobile advertised several of its plans with a price lock, but then went on to increase prices starting in May 2024. "T-Mobile ONE customers keep their price until...

Top Rated Comments

EricNau Avatar
54 months ago
Can it also sound an audible alarm when a wearer doesn't wash their hands?
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
artfossil Avatar
54 months ago

lol. Really? This is something we need? Have we become that stupid and helpless that we need technology to help us wash our hands?
For me, the answer is "yes."

I needed technology to remind me to stand. Standing once every hour is beneficial to my health. Washing my hands and washing them for long enough is critical for my health. I'll be grateful to have a reminder.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BornAgainMac Avatar
54 months ago
I wish there was a way to wash hands quicker to accomplish the same level of clean. Maybe switch to ARM.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kylo83 Avatar
54 months ago
Such a silly feature
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
QCassidy352 Avatar
54 months ago
lol. Really? This is something we need? Have we become that stupid and helpless that we need technology to help us wash our hands?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iCole Avatar
54 months ago
Stop counting for yourself. Just buy a 500 dollar accessory to do it for you.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)