How to customize your Apple Watch Wake Screen settings

Your Apple Watch screen goes to sleep when you aren’t actively using it. But, there are some convenient features for waking it up that come in handy. Tapping to wake it, raising your wrist, and automatically seeing the last app you opened are just a few of the things you can do.

Here’s how to customize your Apple Watch wake screen settings.

Apple Watch Wake Screen On

Access Apple Watch Wake settings

In order to customize the Wake Screen settings, just follow these steps.

  1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone or open Settings on your Apple Watch.
  2. Scroll down and tap Display & Brightness.
  3. Scroll down, and you’ll see the related options under the WAKE heading.
Wake screen settings on Apple Watch

Once you arrive in the Wake area, you’ll notice that it’s divided into a few sections. You’ll see these sections whether you’re using the Watch app on your iPhone or the Settings on your Apple Watch. Here’s what they mean:

Wake on Wrist Raise

This is the easiest way to wake your Apple Watch. When you raise your wrist, it will automatically perk up and be ready to go. Make sure that you have the correct orientation set up for which wrist you use. For that, go to General > Watch Orientation and select Left Wrist or Right Wrist.

Wake On Crown Rotation

When you enable this switch, you can wake the Apple Watch screen by rotating the Digital Crown.

Auto-launch audio apps

This convenient feature is ideal for those who listen to music or podcasts on the go. Instead of reaching for your phone to control the playback, the app will automatically display on your Watch for you to control it there.

Just move the Audio-launch Audio Apps slider to green, and you’re good to go. We have a full tutorial on this feature for more details.

Wake Duration

If you prefer to tap your Apple Watch to wake it, you can decide how long the display should stay on. There are just two options which are Wake for 15 Seconds or Wake for 70 Seconds. Tap your choice, and a checkmark will appear next to it.

Return to Clock

Besides the above settings, another important wake setting is Return to Clock. This area lets you choose whether you want to see the last app you had open before your Watch went back to sleep.

Let’s say you are viewing your calendar and get distracted for a bit. You can set the screen to show the app you were looking at when you raise your wrist or tap to wake it.

To access this:

  1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone or go to Settings on your Apple Watch.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Tap Return to Clock.
  4. Choose Always, After 2 minutes, or After 1 hour. I like to keep it at After 2 minutes.
Return to Clock settings on Apple Watch

Useful Apple Watch tips: