Smartwatch Crown and Buttons: How to Use Them and Why They Matter

What Is the Digital Crown?

The digital crown is a small knob, usually on the right side of the watch case, that combines two functions: rotation and pressing. Rotating the crown scrolls through lists, zooms in and out of maps, and adjusts settings. Pressing it acts like a home button, taking you back to the watch face, and holding it invokes the voice assistant. On some models, double-pressing opens the app switcher. The Apple Watch User Guide describes the crown as a central navigation tool, alongside the side button and gestures.

The crown also works as a button for confirmations. For example, you can press it to select a highlighted item, start or stop a workout, or dismiss an alert. This makes it possible to operate the watch with one hand while your other hand is occupied.

The Side Button and Other Physical Controls

The side button sits below the digital crown on most Apple Watch models. It serves several roles: opening the app switcher, accessing the Dock, opening your Apple Pay wallet, and powering the watch off or on. Pressing and holding the side button can trigger Emergency SOS on models that support it. The exact actions can change depending on watchOS settings and the current context.

Some watches, like Apple Watch Ultra, include an extra Action button. You can assign this button to start a workout, turn on a flashlight, or mark a waypoint. The Apple Watch User Guide includes a section for customizing this button.

Why Physical Controls Still Matter

Touchscreens are great, but they have limits. Water on the screen can cause phantom touches, gloves prevent accurate taps, and small buttons are hard to hit precisely. Physical controls give you a reliable way to interact with a watch in conditions where a touchscreen fails. The digital crown lets you scroll through notifications without covering the display with your finger, and a quick press of the side button can bring up the app switcher without looking at the screen. For example, a quick press of the side button can open your wallet or the app switcher, saving you from swiping through multiple screens.

Physical buttons also enable actions that are difficult with touch alone, like pressing and holding to start a workout or trigger an emergency call. For people with limited dexterity, a tactile control is often easier to use than a smooth glass surface. This is why sport and outdoor watches often include multiple buttons, even when they have a touchscreen.

The Crown in Health Features: The ECG Example

The digital crown is not only for navigation. On Apple Watch, it plays a role in taking an electrocardiogram (ECG). The ECG app uses the electrical heart sensor and the Digital Crown as an electrode; you hold your finger on the crown during a 30-second recording. Apple's support page explains that you should rest your arms on a table and hold the crown without pressing it. The crown completes the circuit that lets the watch measure the electrical signals of your heart. An ECG measures the timing and strength of electrical signals that make the heart beat, as described by MedlinePlus.

This example shows how a physical control can be integrated into a health sensor, not just for input. If you are interested in heart health, look for a watch that supports ECG. Many Apple Watch models do, and you can learn more about ECG in smartwatches.

Crowns and Buttons on Wear OS and Other Watches

Wear OS, Google's smartwatch operating system, runs on watches from several brands, including Samsung, Google, and Mobvoi. These watches typically include a side button, often called the home button, and some have a rotating crown for navigation. The Wear OS platform emphasizes touch gestures, but physical buttons remain useful for waking the watch, launching Google Pay, or accessing the app list. The exact functions depend on the manufacturer's design. You can compare Wear OS watches to see which ones have a crown or extra buttons.

Other smartwatch platforms, such as Garmin's, often use a set of physical buttons instead of a touchscreen for many operations. This is especially useful for outdoor activities where you might be wearing gloves or the display is wet. If that sounds important, consider a watch from our list of rugged Garmin watches.

Tips for Using the Crown and Buttons

Here are some practical ways to get the most out of physical controls on your smartwatch.

• Rotate the crown to scroll through long notifications without dragging your finger.
• Press the crown to quickly return to the watch face from any app.
• Press and hold the crown to ask the voice assistant a question or set a timer.
• Use the side button to open the Dock or access the wallet.
• If your watch has an Action button, customize it in Settings to match how you use the watch.
• Keep the crown and buttons clean to maintain haptic feedback and prevent sticking.

What to pick for your use

Questions

What does the digital crown do on a smartwatch?

The digital crown lets you scroll, zoom, and confirm actions. Pressing it opens the watch face or invokes the voice assistant. It can also serve as a sensor contact for health features like ECG.

Do Wear OS watches have a digital crown?

Some Wear OS watches from brands like Samsung and Google include a rotating crown, while others rely on side buttons. The functionality varies, so check the specifications before buying.

How do I use the side button on an Apple Watch?

The side button opens the Dock, gives access to Apple Pay, and can trigger Emergency SOS when pressed and held. The exact action depends on watchOS settings and press duration.

Is ECG only available on Apple Watch?

Many smartwatches now offer ECG, but Apple Watch's implementation uses the Digital Crown as an electrode. Other manufacturers have different sensor designs. For a list of ECG-compatible watches, see our guide to ECG in smartwatches.

Can I use a smartwatch without touching the screen at all?

Yes, with a combination of crown and buttons, you can navigate most watch faces, open apps, and respond to notifications without touching the display. This is useful when your hands are not free.