Assign side-button to app?

[PatTheDog]

I am thinking about upgrading my original Versa to a Versa 3. One of the features I use a lot on my OG Versa are the assignable buttons on the right-side. I use the top one for a torch app and the bottom one for an app I wrote myself.

Since the Versa 3 only has a single side-button, is it possible to change the assignment to any app, or is it limited to music controls and Fitbit pay?

[Guy_ · Accepted solution]

Hi @PatTheDog - yes the single button has several functions on a Sense and Versa 3, which briefly described as:

Single press - home, or display on/off

Long press - voice assistant, but can be assigned to any app, unlike the original Versa

Double press - 4 assignable shortcut buttons

Additionally there is the swipe left; the app launch icons can be reorganised so that the most used ones are immediately available.

Before switching to another watch be careful to look for the functions and features you will lose by making the change.

I use the SimpleClockPro watch face which has addons that can be launched directly from the clock face too. Generally requires 2 taps on the face to launch things like torch, timer, calculator, calendar. So have kept the standard default button assignments as I use Google Assistant often.

If you are left handed then there may be reasons to change assignment.

[PatTheDog]

Thanks, this helps!

I may indeed hold off upgrading. There are a number of situations where I like to be able to operate my watch without looking at the screen.

Such as when running and I want to control my music volume (since my AirPods don't have their own volume buttons), I can do so on my original Versa without taking my eyes off the road.

And when I wake in the middle of the night, I use a side button to get my original Versa to "vibrate" the time without opening my eyes / removing my eye mask (which for me would ensure not getting back to sleep again!)

Since the Versa 3 only has a single side-button, it sounds like I'd be quite limited when it comes to "operating blind".

The double-press sounds like a missed opportunity, since as you mention swiping left also takes you to the first four apps arranged to your liking. Is it possible to assign only a single function to the double-press so that it's launched directly instead of having to tap the screen?

[Guy_]

@PatTheDog  - thanks, no, double press brings up 4 shortcuts, each of which you can reassign to any app, clock or function.

You may like Riso Assist which can beep you the time for night time use.