How to Enable Do Not Disturb on Apple Watch
Do Not Disturb is one of the most useful features for Apple Watch, and every other Apple device too for that matter. With Do Not Disturb, you can minimize distractions and interruptions, without completely silencing your Apple Watch or turning off all notifications completely.
Using Do Not Disturb on Apple Watch is one of those features you’ll want to know how to enable and disable, so that you can get the most out the functionality and its benefits. You can toggle it on and off at will, or, you can even run Apple Watch in constant Do Not Disturb mode, if you find the default Apple Watch alerts and notifications to be annoying and distracting.
How to Enable Do Not Disturb on Apple Watch
Turning on Do Not Disturb on Apple Watch is super easy, here’s how it works on the newest models:
- Look at your Apple Watch, and press the long pill-shaped side button on Apple Watch to open Control Center
- Scroll down and look for the crescent moon icon, and then tap on that to turn on and enable Do Not Disturb on Apple Watch
- Optionally, you may see another series of screens with different “Focus” modes, simply tap on “Do Not Disturb” and then “On” to enable Do Not Disturb on Apple Watch*
Now Do Not Disturb mode is enabled on the Apple Watch, meaning all alerts, vibrations, and notifications will be silenced on the device.
This is a very valuable feature to use when you want to focus, or simply not be pestered by the myriad Apple Watch notifications.
* Whether or not you see the secondary menu screen options when toggling Do Not Disturb on with Apple Watch depends on if you have multiple Focus modes saved and used on other devices that may be syncing to Apple Watch, or with Apple Watch directly. You can simplify that list by deleting those focus modes. Focus Modes is one of the most over engineered features to exist for something that should be as simple as simply toggling Do Not Disturb on or off, but it is very powerful and has a lot of benefits as well like scheduling, if you can overcome the associated obstacles with setting it up.
How to Disable Do Not Disturb on Apple Watch
Knowing how to disable Do Not Disturb on Apple Watch is equally important, so that you can turn it off and get notifications again on the device:
- On Apple Watch, press the the oblong side button (it’s pill shaped) on Apple Watch to open Control Center
- Scroll down to locate the moon icon, tap on it again to disable Do Not Disturb mode on Apple Watch
Turning off Do Not Disturb mode on Apple Watch will allow it to again start receiving notifications, sounds, alerts, and vibrations.
How do I know that Do Not Disturb / Focus is Enabled on Apple Watch?
You can instantly tell if Do Not Disturb or Focus is enabled on Apple Watch by looking for the crescent moon icon at the top of the Apple Watch screen when in Control Center.
Simply open Control Center (by pressing the oblong pill shaped button on the side) and look at the icons at the top. If you see the crescent moon icon, then Do Not Disturb is enabled on Apple Watch.
Why would I want to use Do Not Disturb / Focus on Apple Watch?
Do Not Disturb is a beneficial feature for when you want to minimize interruptions and distractions, and there are many such situations you may find this useful.
For example, if you’re in a meeting, doing a presentation, if you’re sleeping or taking a nap, if you’re exercising, if you’re watching a movie, if you’re at a concert or performance, if you’re driving and don’t want distractions, if you simply want some time to focus and perform a particular task, if you want some undisturbed personal time, if you’re at an appointment where concentration matters, and many other circumstances.
Using Do Not Disturb, or Focus, on Apple Watch, allows you to easily control how you receive notifications on your device, and is a great productivity and focus aid. Master this feature, and you’ll be a happier Apple Watch user!
