16 Apple Watch Settings You Must Change Now

Turn Off Always-On Display to Save Battery

Apple Watches are everywhere: on our wrists at the gym, work, and even in bed. But let’s be real, the battery life? Not so great. One major culprit? The Always-On Display. Sure, it’s handy, but it silently drains power all day. Want your watch to last longer? Turning it off can lead to a modest improvement in battery life.

To disable it, go to Settings, tap Display & Brightness, and toggle off Always On. Your screen will only light up when you raise your wrist or tap it, extending battery life significantly while keeping your watch functional when needed.

Boost Alerts with Custom Haptic Feedback

Customizing haptic feedback ensures you never miss alerts. The default vibration might be too weak, making notifications easy to overlook. To enhance it, click Settings, tap Sounds & Haptics, and select Prominent.

This increases vibration intensity, making notifications more noticeable, especially in noisy environments. Whether it’s calls, messages, or reminders, stronger haptics help ensure you stay connected without constantly checking your watch.

Enable Noise Monitoring for Ear Safety

Noise monitoring protects your hearing by alerting you when your environment is too loud. Prolonged exposure to high noise levels can cause permanent damage. To enable it, go to Settings, select Noise, and toggle on Environmental Sound Measurements.

Your watch will notify you when sound levels become unsafe, helping you take action, like lowering volume or stepping away from noisy areas, preventing long-term hearing issues.

Turn On Fall Detection for Emergencies

Fall Detection is a life-saving feature that detects hard falls and can automatically call for help if you don’t respond. This is especially useful for seniors or those at risk of falling.

To enable it, open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, go to Emergency SOS, and toggle on Fall Detection. If your watch detects a fall, it will alert emergency contacts or call 911.

Adjust Wrist Orientation for Better Comfort

Adjusting wrist orientation makes your Apple Watch more comfortable and functional. If the Digital Crown feels awkward or gets pressed accidentally, changing its placement helps. Go to Settings, tap General, then Orientation.

Select your wrist preference and Digital Crown position. This ensures the watch responds correctly to gestures, improving usability and preventing accidental button presses, making everyday interactions with your watch smoother and more intuitive.

Limit Background App Refresh to Save Power

Disabling Background App Refresh helps conserve battery by stopping apps from constantly updating in the background. Many apps refresh without you even opening them, using unnecessary power. To turn it off, go to Settings, tap General, then Background App Refresh.

You can disable it entirely or choose specific apps. This simple tweak can extend battery life while keeping essential apps running efficiently when needed.

Customize Workout Metrics for Accurate Stats

Customizing workout metrics ensures accurate and relevant data during exercises. Instead of a generic display, you can tailor the stats you see for each activity.

Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, go to Workout, then Workout View. Choose which metrics matter most, like heart rate, distance, or pace. This helps you track progress better and stay focused on your fitness goals.

Enable Handwashing Timer for Hygiene

Enabling the Handwashing Timer promotes better hygiene by ensuring you wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. The watch detects motion and running water sounds, starting a countdown automatically.

To activate it, go to Settings, tap Handwashing, and turn on the timer. It’s a small but effective feature, especially during flu seasons, to maintain proper hygiene and reduce the spread of germs.

Use Theater Mode to Avoid Distractions

Theater Mode prevents distractions by keeping your watch screen off in dark environments. If you’re in a movie or meeting, it stops the display from lighting up when you move your wrist.

Swipe up on the watch face to activate it and tap the theater mask icon. This ensures your watch remains silent and discreet, avoiding unnecessary interruptions while still receiving notifications.

Set Up Sleep Tracking for Better Rest

Sleep Tracking helps you monitor your sleep quality and improve rest. It tracks sleep duration, patterns, and disturbances. To set it up, open the Sleep app on your watch and follow the setup instructions.

Enable Track Sleep with Apple Watch to get insights into your sleep habits. Understanding your sleep patterns allows you to adjust for better overall health and energy levels.

Turn On Water Lock Before Swimming

Water Lock protects your watch from accidental touches when swimming or showering. It locks the screen and ejects water afterward to prevent damage. Swipe up on the Control Center and tap the water droplet icon to enable it.

When you’re done, turn the Digital Crown to unlock the screen and expel any trapped water from the speaker, keeping your watch in perfect condition.

Rearrange Control Center for Quick Access

Rearranging the Control Center allows quick access to your most-used features. Reorganizing them saves time if you frequently use specific settings like flashlight or theater mode.

Swipe up to open the Control Center, scroll down, and tap Edit. Drag icons into your preferred order. This customization makes finding and using essential features easier without unnecessarily navigating through menus.

Activate Emergency SOS for Instant Help

Emergency SOS provides instant help in urgent situations. If you’re in danger, press and hold the side button to call for emergency assistance. Your watch will alert emergency services and notify selected contacts.

To set it up, go to Settings, tap SOS, and ensure the feature is enabled. This is a crucial safety tool, especially for those who frequently walk alone or have medical conditions.

Use Assistive Touch for Gesture Controls

AssistiveTouch allows you to control your watch using hand gestures, making navigation easier for those with mobility issues. By enabling it, you can use pinches and wrist movements instead of the touchscreen.

Go to Settings, tap Accessibility, and turn on Assistive Touch. This feature makes it more convenient to use your Apple Watch when touch controls aren’t practical, improving accessibility for all users.

Silence Unwanted Notifications Instantly

Managing notifications prevents unnecessary distractions and ensures only important alerts reach your watch. To customize them, open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap Notifications, and choose which apps can send alerts.

This reduces interruptions while keeping you updated on essential messages and reminders. Whether at work or home, filtering notifications helps you stay focused without being overwhelmed by constant alerts.

Here’s a bonus for you to read till this point: Don’t forget to Claim Your Share of $20M Apple Watch Payout

Enable Find My to Track Lost Apple Devices

Lost your iPhone or iPad? Your Apple Watch has your back! The Find Devices app instantly locates lost Apple gadgets and even provides directions.

Just open the app on your watch to see their last known location. Whether you’re a frequent traveler or forgetful, this feature ensures you never waste time searching for your essentials again. No more panicking track, find, and go!

Track location of your devices easily, but don’t get tracked yourself! Read here: How to check if an AirTag is Tracking You Right Now?

What do you think about this? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to leave a like.

Read More From This Brand:

• Apple Redefines Siri with ChatGPT Power
• Is Apple AI Taking Over Your Storage?
• AppleCare+ Just Got More Expensive

Don’t forget to follow us for more exclusive content right here on MSN.

If you liked this story, you’ll LOVE our FREE emails. Join today and be the first to get stories like this one.