The Canned Responses
Because the Apple Watch screen is too small for a full traditional keyboard, Apple relies heavily on a feature called “Smart Replies” (or Default Replies). When you receive a text message on your wrist, the watch automatically generates a list of pre-written responses underneath the message, such as “Sounds good,” “On my way,” or “Sorry, I can’t talk right now.” It even attempts to read the context of the incoming text to generate relevant answers. However, it is incredibly easy to accidentally tap one of these canned responses while scrolling down to dismiss a notification, instantly sending a generic message to your boss or partner without your consent. You must disable the smart reply engine.
How to Turn Off Smart Replies
You can remove the automated response list via the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
- Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone.
- Ensure you are on the My Watch tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Scroll down the list of apps and tap on Messages.
- Tap on Default Replies.
- At the very top of the screen, locate the toggle switch labeled Smart Replies.
- Toggle this switch to the Off position.
A Safer Scroll
The change takes effect instantly. The Apple Watch will immediately stop generating context-aware buttons underneath your text messages. When you scroll to the bottom of a notification, you will only see the standard, intentional input methods (like the microphone icon for dictation or the scribble pad). This guarantees that you will never again accidentally fire off a canned response while simply trying to clear your notifications.