12 Clever Ways the Apple Watch Can Improve Agents' Lives

Apple came out with new iPhone and Apple Watch products on September 15, 2023, which were quickly followed by iOS and watchOS updates. The result is a whole new look and feel for the user interface and apps available on iOS and watchOS.

We've already discussed some of the ways that iOS 17 can be used to make an agent's life easier, but what about the watchOS? If you already have an Apple Watch, or you're considering investing in this wearable technology, keep reading to learn about ways that real estate agents are using it to be more efficient and effective at their jobs.

1. Password and note repositories

Real estate agents have a lot of different accounts that they might need to access on any given day. Without a password manager, getting safely logged into those systems will mean reusing passwords across platforms (not ideal) or creating easy-to-remember passwords for each login (also not ideal).

Password and note repositories, such as Cheatsheet and 1Password, allow users to save password and note information. You can save "favorite" passwords on 1Password for display on Apple Watch, and Cheatsheet will allow you to save more than 100 notes with detailed login information, available directly from the Apple Watch.

2. Unlock lockboxes

If you've had an Apple Watch for a little while, then you may already know about the ability to add boarding passes and other scannable entry information to your watch. SentriLock users can access lockboxes directly through the Apple Watch if they have the app installed.

3. Translate in real time

Agents who work with buyers or sellers who speak a first language other than English might be interested in the Apple Watch translation capabilities. Users can speak directly into the Apple Watch and see a translation unspool on the device's screen.

4. Track your car miles

Some mileage trackers offer Apple Watch integrations that will allow you to start or save a trip on your watch instead of having to pull out your phone.

5. Take a remote photo or control your music

If you weren't already aware, the Apple Watch can serve as a sort of remote control for the iPhone. Users can control music from the watch instead of picking up the phone to do things like skip tracks, turn the volume up or down, and more. Handy at an open house!

Similarly, if you've got your camera set up to take a shot (especially if you're in the shot), using the watch as a camera shutter can help you avoid getting fingers in the frame and other hazards of smartphone photography.

6. Get noise threshold alerts

Hearing doesn't last forever, unfortunately, and in this day and age, we are almost certainly all exposing ourselves to noise levels that were not necessarily around in previous generations. If you spend a lot of time walking around construction sites or even in loud parts of the city, your Apple Watch can send you an alert if the noise around you hits or surpasses a certain level — a good reminder to use ear protection if you have it handy.

7. Keep tabs on sunrise and sunset

Knowing when it's going to get dark outside can be good information for real estate agents when they're planning on taking listing photos, booking a showing for a buyer, or figuring out their own daily activities.

The Apple Watch offers displays that will tell you exactly when the sun will rise or set, and if you use the "solar dial" face, then you can see exactly when daylight-driven events such as the "golden hour" or "nautical twilight" begin and end.

8. Offline Maps

The iOS 17 update allows users to download maps on the native Maps app and save them to their phone. These maps will also be available to users with Apple Watches, who will be able to access them on the Apple Watch even if there is no phone service.

As an aside, the Apple Maps navigation can help you avoid looking like a tourist if you're walking around an unfamiliar area. You can type in your destination on your phone, and then gentle haptic signals on the Apple Watch will alert you when it's time to turn left or right as you walk. Glancing down at your watch occasionally to see where the next turn is sure beats walking with your phone held in front of your face for guidance!

9. NameDrop on the Apple Watch

One of the latest iOS features is a sort of spinoff of a digital business card. Users can adjust their name, photo, and contact information on their phone to display what they want others to see, then share contact information by moving devices in proximity to each other.

This works on an Apple Watch, too! If you're wearing an Apple Watch and you want to trade contact information with someone else who has an Apple Watch or another iOS device, you can use your watch to swap details.

10. Answer phone calls and respond to text messages

The Apple Watch has had the capacity for a while to answer phone calls (users can hand them off to a different device if desired) and respond to text messages. (Tip: Use voice-to-text – it's much easier than the fingertip keyboard option.) Voicemail transcriptions and playbacks are also features available on the Apple Watch.

11. Take better care of your body

The Apple Watch can give you all kinds of information about your current health and how to improve it. It can track your activity levels — from workouts to the amount of time you spend standing instead of sitting every day — as well as more nuanced health details: your sleep (and sleep stages), your stress levels, and more.

The biometrics collected by Apple Watch get stored in the Health app on your iPhone and can be pulled up and perused if you have questions or are curious about your health. You can even set alerts on your Health app to send you a push notification if it detects a trend change in your biometric data.

12. Use it as a walkie-talkie

If you have the feature enabled, you can use the Apple Watch to talk to other Apple Watch users who also have it enabled. This can be a useful little tool anytime you're working with another agent (at an open house, for example) and would like to coordinate locations or let them know that a client has arrived.

The new watchOS 10 requires one of the following Apple Watch models, plus an iPhone XS (or newer) with iOS 17 installed on it.

• Apple Watch Series 4
• Apple Watch Series 5
• Apple Watch SE
• Apple Watch Series 6
• Apple Watch Series 7
• Apple Watch Series 8
• Apple Watch Series 9
• Apple Watch Ultra
• Apple Watch Ultra 2