No matter how much you want to, it’s generally a bad idea to get physical with your technology. While software glitches or companies randomly adding a 4GB AI model to your machine might make you feel like it’s time to grab the boxing gloves, most of the time, hitting your devices is likely to cause more problems. However, there is an Apple Watch feature that could accommodate your palm. Known as Cover to Mute, this feature turns off notifications on an Apple Watch by covering the watch with your hand for up to three seconds. In a rush, it may feel like someone slapping their device, but in reality, it’s probably closer to a choking motion.
This feature is exclusive to Apple Watch and is a quick and easy way to manage various notifications, such as calls, alerts, messages, and even activity reminders. In addition to being able to quickly turn off notifications, there are also Apple Watch security features that can come in handy in an emergency. So put down the gloves and let us show you not only how to use Cover to Mute, but also how to turn it on and off.
How to use the Apple Watch Cover to Mute feature
Enabled by default, the Cover to Mute feature on Apple Watch is a way to quickly silence certain notifications. It’s good if you don’t want to be disturbed while you’re doing something important, and it’s pretty simple to use. All users need to do is cover the watch screen for three seconds with the palm of their hand, and notifications from things like a timer or expired messages will remain silent. Your watch will give you a small tap to confirm the action.
If you want to enable or disable the feature, follow these steps:
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Go to your Apple Watch settings.
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Select Gestures.
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Turn Cover to Mute on or off by clicking the toggle.
Additionally, if you have an Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Ultra 2, or Apple Watch Series 9 or later, you can also use the Wrist Flick feature, which is also enabled by default (but can be found in the Gestures settings). Simply flip the wrist with your watch on it and return it to its original position to stop a notification.
As a reminder, an Apple limited warranty does not cover accidental damage, unlike AppleCare+ coverage. Nonetheless, we still don’t recommend slapping your device with too much force. However, there may be some additional under-the-radar features of the Apple Watch that you’ll want to check out if you want to dig deeper into your smart wearable’s capabilities.