How to check in with friends or family from your Apple Watch

Lance Whitney/ZDNET

I sometimes want to check in with my wife to let her know where I am or how I'm doing. Sure, I can always call or text her at specific moments. But maybe I'm driving or working out at the gym or otherwise occupied and would like her to automatically receive a text at a certain point. With an Apple Watch running watchOS 11, I can do just that.

Also: The best Apple Watches: Expert tested and reviewed

New with the latest version of watchOS is a feature called Check In. Accessible from the Messages app and the Workout app, Check In alerts someone if you've reached a specific destination based on your arrival time or location. Plus, if you've finished a workout and want to let someone know, Check In will notify that person. Here's how this works.

How to check in with a friend or family member from your Apple Watch

What you'll need:  To use Check In, you have to be running watchOS 11 or higher on your Apple Watch, which requires iOS 18 or higher on your iPhone. These Apple Watch models can run watchOS 11.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

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Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET