How to use the Apple Watch’s Compass Waypoints and Backtrack features

Apple did a lot of work prepping new features for the Apple Watch Ultra. That includes redesigning the Compass app in watchOS 9 to include waypoints — points of interest — and Backtrack, the ability to retrace your steps using your watch’s GPS.

Waypoints and Backtrack aren’t limited to the Ultra, either. Anyone with an Apple Watch Series 6 or later can benefit. (That includes both generations of the Apple Watch SE.) That said, Ultra owners get some extra perks. For instance, there’s an exclusive Wayfinder watchface for the Ultra that puts the Compass app front and center. You can also use the Action button as a shortcut to drop waypoints while on the go.

But regardless of which Apple Watch model you have, Compass Waypoints and Backtrack can be handy tools for non-hikers, too. Waypoints can just as easily mark interesting spots when exploring a city or serve as a reminder of where you parked your car. And while Backtrack is designed for remote areas with no Wi-Fi, there’s nothing stopping you from using it wherever you’d like.

Before you get started, you need to check two things. First, make sure you’ve updated to watchOS 9. Secondly, check that you haven’t deleted the native Compass app from your iPhone. If you have, you’ll have to redownload it so that it appears on your Apple Watch.

You’ve got a few ways to create waypoints. The quickest way is through the Compass app.

Ultra owners can also create waypoints using the Action button. But first, you’ll have to program the Action button to open the Waypoint action.

Once you’ve created waypoints, you can use the Compass app to navigate to them from your current location.

To navigate to a waypoint:

For even easier access, you can create a complication on your watchface. Here’s how to do that.

Backtrack creates a virtual breadcrumb trail that helps you “go back the way you came.” It uses your watch’s GPS and is meant to be used when you’re exploring unfamiliar locations where you might not have a good signal. Apple also says that, at least on the Ultra, it’ll automatically start the Backtrack feature once it detects you’ve left a Wi-Fi-rich area in case you need it, sort of like how it detects automatic workouts.

To use Backtrack with the Action button:

You can also access Backtrack from the Emergency menu:

Both Compass Waypoints and Backtrack have a little bit of a learning curve as far as getting the steps right. If you’re thinking of relying on these features before hiking in a remote area, make sure to practice them beforehand.