If you are looking for how to turn off always on display apple watch, you are in the right place. Disabling the Always On Display feature on your Apple Watch can help conserve battery life throughout the day. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions for every model that supports the feature.
The Always On Display is useful, but you might want to turn it off. Maybe you need more battery, or you prefer more privacy. Whatever your reason, the process is simple.
We will cover everything you need to know. You will learn the steps for different watchOS versions and models. We will also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of keeping the display always on.
How To Turn Off Always On Display Apple Watch
The primary method for turning off the Always On Display is through your Apple Watch’s Settings app. The following steps work for Apple Watch Series 5, Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, Series 9, Ultra, and Ultra 2, as long as they are running a compatible watchOS version.
Here is the direct procedure:
- Press the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch to access the app grid.
- Tap on the Settings app icon (it looks like a gear).
- Scroll down and select Display & Brightness.
- Tap on Always On.
- Toggle the switch for Always On to the off position (white).
Once you complete these steps, your watch screen will go completely black when you lower your wrist. It will only light up when you raise your wrist or tap the display. This change takes effect immediately, so you can test it right away.
If you don’t see the “Always On” option in your Display & Brightness settings, your Apple Watch model likely does not support this feature. The Always On Display is only available on Apple Watch Series 5 and newer, excluding the Apple Watch SE (1st and 2nd generation).
Using Your IPhone To Manage The Setting
You can also disable the Always On Display from your paired iPhone. This can be easier if you prefer using a larger screen. The Watch app on your iPhone gives you full control over most settings.
Follow these instructions:
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Make sure you are in the My Watch tab at the bottom.
- Tap on Display & Brightness.
- Select Always On.
- Toggle the switch off.
The change will sync to your Apple Watch within a few seconds. This method is particularly handy if your watch screen is difficult to navigate for any reason. Both methods achieve the exact same result, so use whichever you find more convienient.
Important Considerations For Theater Mode And Sleep Focus
Your Apple Watch has other modes that affect the display. Theater Mode and Sleep Focus automatically disable the Always On Display, even if it’s turned on in your settings. This is designed to prevent light disturbances in dark environments.
When you enable Theater Mode (from the Control Center), the Always On Display is temporarily suspended. The watch face will dim significantly when your wrist is down. This happens regardless of your main Always On setting.
Similarly, when a Sleep Focus schedule is active, the display will not stay on. It shows a simplified, dimmed clock only when tapped or upon wrist raise. This is to avoid disrupting your sleep with a bright light. Remember, these modes override your general setting only while they are active.
Why You Might Want To Disable The Always On Display
While the Always On Display is a innovative feature, there are several practical reasons to turn it off. Understanding these can help you decide if this adjustment is right for your daily use.
Extending Battery Life
The most common reason to disable the feature is to save battery power. The Always On Display requires the watch’s processor and screen to remain in a low-power state instead of turning off completely. Over a full day, this can use a noticable amount of energy.
If you find your watch battery is draining too quickly by evening, turning off the Always On Display can help. Many users report gaining several extra hours of usage from a single charge. This is especially helpful on older models like the Series 5 or Series 6, where battery health may have diminished over time.
Preserving Screen Longevity
Keeping any screen illuminated for extended periods can, in theory, contribute to long-term wear. While Apple uses advanced OLED technology designed to minimize burn-in, turning the display off when not in use reduces any risk. If you plan to keep your Apple Watch for many years, this is a small precaution you can take.
Enhancing Privacy In Public
An always-on screen means information is visible to anyone nearby when your wrist is down. This could include personal notifications, calendar appointments, or the watch face itself. Turning the feature off ensures your data is only visible when you intentionally activate the screen.
This is valuable in crowded places like public transit, meetings, or conferences. It gives you peace of mind knowing your notifications are private until you choose to view them.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, you might encounter problems when trying to turn off the Always On Display. Here are solutions to a few frequent issues.
The Always On Option Is Missing Or Grayed Out
If you cannot find the “Always On” menu or if the toggle is unavailable, check these points:
- Verify Your Model: Confirm you have an Apple Watch Series 5, Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, Series 9, Ultra, or Ultra 2. The SE models do not have this hardware capability.
- Check watchOS Version: Ensure your watch is updated. The feature requires watchOS 7 or later for Series 5 and 6, and it’s fully integrated in subsequent versions. Go to Settings > General > Software Update on your watch.
- Low Power Mode: If Low Power Mode is active, the Always On Display is automatically disabled and the setting is grayed out. You must turn off Low Power Mode first to regain control.
The Display Stays On Despite Being Turned Off
If you’ve turned off the setting but your screen remains visible when your wrist is down, consider these culprits:
- Wake on Wrist Raise: This is a separate setting. With Always On off, the screen should still activate when you raise your wrist. This is normal behavior.
- Water Lock: If Water Lock is enabled (the droplet icon), the screen will stay on until you unlock it by turning the Digital Crown. This prevents accidental touches while swimming.
- A Stuck Button: Rarely, a software glitch may cause the setting not to apply. Try restarting both your Apple Watch and your iPhone. This often resolves minor software hiccups.
Comparing Battery Life With Always On Display On Vs Off
To give you a clearer idea of the battery impact, here is a general comparison. Actual results will vary based on your specific usage, watch model, and battery health.
With the Always On Display enabled, most newer models can still achieve Apple’s stated 18-hour battery life with typical use. This includes checking the time, receiving notifications, and doing a short workout. However, intensive use like long GPS workouts or streaming audio will drain the battery faster.
With the Always On Display disabled, you can often exceed the 18-hour benchmark. It’s common to end a full day with 30-40% battery remaining instead of 10-20%. This extra cushion can be crucial if you forget to charge one night or have an exceptionally long day ahead.
For the absolute maximum battery life, combine turning off Always On Display with enabling Low Power Mode. Low Power Mode disables background heart rate measurements, background blood oxygen measurements, and limits some network connections. You can turn it on from the Control Center.
How To Customize What Shows On The Always On Display
If you don’t want to turn the feature off completely, you can customize it to be less obtrusive. This provides a middle ground between full functionality and battery savings.
Hiding Sensitive Complications
You can set certain watch face complications to hide their details when the display is in its always-on, dimmed state. This is great for privacy.
- On your watch, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On.
- Scroll down to Hide Sensitive Complications.
- Toggle this switch on.
When enabled, complications like Messages, Mail, or Calendar will show only a generic icon when your wrist is down. The details appear when you raise your wrist.
Reducing Brightness And Hiding Photos
In the same Always On settings menu, you have two other key options:
- Show Watch Face: If turned off, the Always On state will show a simple, dimmed clock instead of your full watch face. This saves a bit more power.
- Dimmed Brightness: This slider lets you adjust how bright the dimmed always-on screen is. Setting it lower can further reduce power use.
For photo faces, you can choose to hide the photo entirely in the dimmed state, showing just the time over a dark background.
Step-By-Step Guide For Specific watchOS Versions
The menu locations have remained fairly consistent, but there are slight differences in older versions of watchOS. Here is a quick reference.
For WatchOS 10
The steps are as described in the main guide above. The path is: Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On. watchOS 10 introduced the Smart Stack but did not change this setting’s location.
For WatchOS 9
The process is identical to watchOS 10. Apple has kept the settings structure stable for this feature over the last few major updates.
For WatchOS 7 And 8
On these earlier versions supporting the feature, the path is the same: Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On. The options for hiding complications may be slightly more limited in watchOS 7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Apple Watch SE Have An Always On Display?
No, the Apple Watch SE (both first and second generation) does not have an Always On Display. This is a hardware limitation, not a software one. The SE models use a different screen technology that does not support the low-power state required for the feature. Therefore, you will not find the setting in the menu on an SE.
Can I Schedule The Always On Display To Turn Off Automatically?
There is no built-in schedule for the Always On Display itself. However, you can use Focus modes as a workaround. For example, you can create a custom Focus mode for work hours that, when activated, uses a watch face with minimal complications. While it won’t turn the feature off, it can make it less distracting. The Sleep Focus, as mentioned, does automatically disable it.
Will Turning Off Always On Display Affect Notifications?
No, it will not affect how you receive notifications at all. You will still get haptic taps and sounds as usual. The only difference is that the notification preview will not be visible on a dimmed screen when your wrist is down. You will need to raise your wrist or tap the screen to see the notification details, which enhances privacy.
Is There A Quick Shortcut To Turn Always On Display On And Off?
There is no direct shortcut in Control Center. The fastest method is to use Siri. You can say, “Hey Siri, turn off Always On Display,” or “Hey Siri, turn on Always On Display.” This voice command will toggle the setting without needing to navigate through menus. Ensure Siri is enabled on your watch for this to work.
Does The Always On Display Work With Every Watch Face?
Most watch faces support the Always On Display, but a few have limitations. Some very complex faces or faces with a lot of motion (like the Astronomy face) will switch to a simplified version when dimmed to save power. The X-Large and Numerals Duo faces are designed to show minimal information in the dimmed state. You can check how a face will look by lowering your wrist while the Always On setting is enabled.