The Hijacked Screen
By default, the Apple Watch actively monitors the audio playing on your iPhone. If you start playing a podcast or a Spotify playlist on your phone, and then raise your wrist to check the time, you will not see your beautiful, customized watch face. Instead, the watch automatically launches the “Now Playing” audio control app, completely hijacking your screen with a massive play/pause button and volume controls. If you simply want to see the time or your calendar complications, forcing you to constantly press the Digital Crown to exit the audio app is incredibly annoying. You must disable this auto-launch behavior.
How to Turn Off Auto-Launch Audio Apps
You can prevent the watch from automatically opening the media controller via the general settings.
- Open the Settings app directly on your Apple Watch (the grey gear icon).
- Scroll down the main list and tap on General.
- Scroll down and tap on Auto-Launch.
- You will see a master toggle switch labeled Auto-Launch Audio Apps.
- Toggle this switch to the Off position (the green background will disappear).
Restoring the Watch Face
The change takes effect immediately. Start playing music on your iPhone and raise your wrist. Your Apple Watch will now display your chosen watch face exactly as intended. To control your music from your wrist, you will now simply see a tiny, unobtrusive “Now Playing” icon at the very top of the watch face, which you can tap manually only when you actually need to adjust the volume.