Apple has released watchOS 101, offering a number of upgrades to the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, including the long-awaited double-tap feature Users will be able to take advantage of this clever new gesture once they download the latest software version to their devices

Following the double-tap preview from the watchOS 101 public beta release earlier this month, Apple announced that the new gesture and a handful of additional features are now available through the newsroom It is worth noting that this version of the watch software is offered along with iOS 171 for the iPhone and iPadOS 171 for the iPad

That said, the double-tap is perhaps the most exciting feature of the recent software update This gesture is made possible by the new machine learning algorithms and revamped S9 processor (which we took a closer look at with Apple Watch executives) in the Series 9 and Ultra 2 In a nutshell, two taps together of the index finger and thumb of the watch hand allow users to perform certain Apple functions with one hand

The double tap replaces the need to tap the fingers of the opposite hand on the watch to complete certain actions on the Apple Watch; while it does not completely control the Apple Watch, it provides a convenient solution for checking notifications, answering phone calls, canceling timers, etc Provides

Perhaps the best example of using Double Tap is to complete the gesture when receiving a phone call If your hands are full and you do not want to leave the other party's call unanswered, you can answer the call with a double tap If you answer the call and realize it is a telemarketer or bot, you can double-tap to hang up

Here is a complete list of ways to use double-tap on your Apple Watch:

Even if you do not have an Apple Watch Series 9 or Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple Watch Series 4 and earlier Apple Watch models are watchOS 101 is available as a free download

In addition to double-tapping, a software update adds NameDrop to the Apple Watch; NameDrop allows users to exchange contact cards with other users by holding the watch close to another watch or iPhone with the updated software The software allows users to exchange contact cards with other users by holding the watch close to another watch or iPhone You can also easily access NameDrop by adding My Cards as a complication to the dial of your Apple Watch However, this feature is only available on Apple Watch Series 7 or later

In addition, watchOS 101 fixes several other minor Apple Watch bugs The update addresses an issue with the Climate section of the Home app, an unwanted border after disabling AssistiveTouch, cities not syncing between the iPhone and Apple Watch in the Weather app, and scrollbars that should not appear in the scrollbars that should not be displayed