Apple Watch metronome: feel the beat on your wrist

On the wrist

Your tempo, a tap away.

Tap the tempo display to set the pace, turn the Digital Crown to fine-tune it, and press Start.

MagicBPM on Apple Watch showing 120 BPM with a Start button — Tap the number in time, or turn the crown

Tap the number in time, or turn the crown

The MagicBPM watch metronome running at 120 BPM, with a Stop button — Running, and still adjustable

Haptic strength settings on the MagicBPM watch app, with Light and Strong — Pick the strength by feeling it

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Keeps tapping with your arm down

Keep your hands on your instrument while the watch keeps time. The beat continues with your wrist lowered. If background operation is unavailable, the app shows “screen on only.”

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The whole readout is the tap pad

Tap anywhere on the tempo display in time with your music. The app averages your taps and allows for an occasional missed beat.

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Adjust the tempo as you play

Turn the Digital Crown to adjust the tempo one BPM at a time, from 30 to 300 BPM. You can change it while the metronome is running.

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Two strengths, chosen by feel

Choose Light or Strong in Settings. Each option plays a preview, so you can pick the tap that feels most comfortable.

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A steady pulse for practice

The metronome keeps each tap on a consistent schedule to help you hold the tempo while you practice.

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Nothing extra to buy

The watch metronome is included with MagicBPM for iPhone and does not require Pro. Install it automatically with the iPhone app or from Available Apps in the Watch app.

When a tap helps

Keep time without a speaker click.

On stage, or in a loud rehearsal. Feel a pulse on your wrist when a speaker click is difficult to hear.
In a quiet house. Practice with wrist taps when you want to keep the room quiet.
While you are recording. Follow wrist taps without playing a metronome click through a speaker.

The watch plays a steady pulse. For time signatures, accented downbeats, subdivisions, and click sounds, use the iPhone app.

First run

Getting it on your watch.

Install MagicBPM on the iPhone paired with your watch. If automatic app install is on, the watch app arrives on its own; otherwise it is in the Watch app under Available Apps.
Open MagicBPM on the watch. It starts at 120 BPM with nothing to set up.
Tap the number in time with what you are playing, or turn the Digital Crown to dial it in exactly.
Press Start, then drop your wrist. The tap keeps coming.
If it feels too soft or too heavy, open Settings from the top left and try the other strength. It plays as you select it.

Need the tempo of a song before you can practise against it? The iPhone app hears it through the microphone and hands you the number, and the how-to guide covers the awkward cases. No watch to hand? The browser metronome runs anywhere.

Good to know

Apple Watch questions

Is it a separate app or a separate purchase?

The watch metronome is free and included with the iPhone app. If it does not install automatically, open the Watch app on your iPhone and look under Available Apps.

Does it make a sound?

It uses wrist taps rather than a speaker click. For an audible metronome, use the iPhone app.

Does it keep going when I put my arm down?

Yes, when background operation is available. If watchOS cannot keep it running with the screen off, the app shows “screen on only” below the tempo.

How do I set the tempo?

Two ways. Tap the number in time with the music and it takes the tempo from your hand, using the same averaging that forgives an occasional missed tap as the iPhone app. Or turn the Digital Crown, which moves it one BPM at a time and keeps working while the metronome runs. The range is 30 to 300 BPM.

What does haptic strength change?

It changes the type of tap you feel. Choose Light or Strong in Settings and try the preview to find your preference.

Can it detect the BPM of a song from the watch?

Tempo detection is available in the iPhone app. On the watch, set a tempo by tapping the display or turning the Digital Crown, then press Start.

Which Apple Watch does it need?

watchOS 11 or later, paired with an iPhone running MagicBPM. It is a companion app rather than a standalone one, so the iPhone app has to be installed.

Is there an Android equivalent?

Not on Wear OS. On the phone itself, MagicBPM for Android has vibrate-on-beat in the metronome, which is the same idea through the phone's own vibration motor.

Something not covered? Support, or email support@magicbpm.com.

Feel the beat
on your wrist.