Starting with the Apple Watch Series 5, Apple introduced the Always-On display feature. When you lower your wrist, instead of the screen turning completely black, it dynamically dims and shifts to a low-refresh-rate mode, allowing you to passively glance at the time and your complications without needing to aggressively raise your arm.
While the Always-On display is a defining feature of modern Apple Watches (available on Series 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and Ultra models), you may want to turn it off. Disabling this feature is the single most effective way to extend your battery life, and some users simply prefer the privacy of a completely dark screen when they aren’t actively using the watch. Here is how to disable it.
How to Disable Always-On Display via the Apple Watch
You can turn off the Always-On feature directly from your wrist in a matter of seconds.
- Press the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch to access the Home Screen.
- Tap the Settings app (the gear icon).
- Scroll down the list and tap on Display & Brightness.
- Scroll down and tap on Always On.
- Toggle the switch next to Always On to the off (gray) position.
Once disabled, your Apple Watch screen will instantly go completely black when you lower your wrist. To see the time, you will need to actively raise your wrist, tap the screen, or press the Digital Crown, just like the older Apple Watch models.
How to Disable Always-On Display via the iPhone
If you prefer navigating on a larger screen, you can also control this setting using the Watch app on your paired iPhone.
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Ensure the My Watch tab is selected at the bottom left of the screen.
- Scroll down and tap on Display & Brightness.
- Tap on Always On.
- Toggle the switch off.
The change will sync to your Apple Watch immediately.
Consider Using Low Power Mode Instead
If you are turning off the Always-On display specifically because you are running out of battery during a long day, you might want to consider using Low Power Mode instead of permanently changing your display settings.
When you swipe up to open the Control Center on your Apple Watch and tap the battery percentage, you can enable Low Power Mode. This mode automatically disables the Always-On display, alongside background heart rate measurements and other power-intensive features, temporarily extending your battery life without requiring you to dive deep into the Settings app.