The Apple Watch: A Productivity Powerhouse
The Apple Watch is known for its health and fitness tracking capabilities, but it also serves as a valuable tool for boosting productivity and getting work done. This is especially beneficial for individuals who find themselves easily distracted by their smartphones.
While the Apple Watch comes equipped with basic productivity apps like Reminders and Calendar, exploring third-party apps can enhance its functionality and productivity-boosting potential.
Todoist
Todoist is a standout app for managing tasks on the Apple Watch without the need to reach for your iPhone. This app allows users to create and organize tasks, set reminders, and mark tasks as complete. Tasks can be added using voice commands or the keyboard, making it convenient for quick input.
Todoist is ideal for individuals who prefer glancing at their wrist for task management, whether it’s checking a grocery list while shopping or jotting down a quick note or reminder. The app provides updates on daily task progress directly from the Apple Watch face, allowing users to track their next task or the completion percentage for the day.
While Todoist is free to use, a $4 monthly subscription unlocks additional features such as custom task reminders, an AI assistant, a calendar layout, and more.
Drafts
For users seeking a digital notepad on the Apple Watch, Drafts is a recommended app. This application allows users to capture notes through voice commands, the watchOS Scribble feature, or the keyboard.
The app seamlessly syncs with the iPhone’s drafts inbox, displaying the number of drafts and flagged drafts for easy access to important notes. Drafts default to a blank note, providing a space for quick idea capture without disrupting the thought process. Users can organize notes into folders for better organization or maintain a free-flowing canvas.
While Drafts is free to use, a $1.99 monthly subscription offers additional functionalities such as themes and email integration.
Focus
Focus is a valuable productivity timer app for Apple Watch users aiming to enhance focus and task completion. The app breaks down work time into “Focus Sessions,” aiding users in staying concentrated on one task before transitioning to the next.
By utilizing the Apple Watch for focus management, users can reduce distractions by easily checking the time remaining in their Focus Session and returning to work promptly. Focus also encourages users to take breaks between sessions, promoting a balanced work routine.
Focus is available for a subscription fee of $7.99 per month.
AutoSleep
AutoSleep stands out as one of the top Apple Watch apps for sleep tracking, providing users with detailed insights into sleep quality, heart rate, sleep consistency, and more. The app tracks sleep efficiency, time to fall asleep, and offers a “readiness” score to assess mental and physical preparedness based on sleep metrics.
AutoSleep presents data in a visually appealing clock view with sleep rings, akin to the Watch’s Activity Rings, enabling users to gauge their sleep patterns easily. The app also suggests optimal bedtime and provides personalized sleep recommendations.
Users can access AutoSleep for a one-time fee of $5.99.
Streaks
Streaks is an excellent app for establishing habits and monitoring progress on the Apple Watch. Users extend their streak by completing daily tasks, with the streak resetting if tasks are missed. The app accommodates up to 24 habits, including flossing, language practice, and healthy eating.
Streaks also allows users to track tasks that aren’t daily occurrences, such as weekly workouts or weekend dietary restrictions. A quick glance at the Apple Watch displays pending tasks, progress, and enables task completion marking.
Streaks is available for a one-time fee of $5.99.
Fantastical
Fantastical emerges as a top calendar app for Apple Watch users seeking organization. Users can create events, set reminders, and receive alerts directly from the watch for efficient management.
Fantastical offers three views for users to choose from: “Up Next” for a quick appointment overview with weather details, “List” for upcoming events and tasks with weather forecasts, and “Tasks” for a consolidated view of tasks. The app’s Smart Stack widget provides calendar information directly on the watch face.
Users can subscribe to Fantastical for $4.99 per month.
Things 3
Things 3 is a robust productivity manager facilitating to-do list creation, project management, and goal tracking on the Apple Watch. Users can organize various aspects of their life into specialized “Areas,” including personal, work, and financial domains.
The app features reminders, calendar integration, tags for task categorization, and automatic task repetition. With an evening plans section and the ability to check off tasks on-the-go, Things 3 streamlines the task management process.
Things 3 is available for a one-time payment of $9.99.
