How to silence your Apple Watch

2 min read · 4 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Press the side button to open Control Centre and tap the bell for Silent Mode, which stops sounds but keeps taps on the wrist. For the cinema or bed, tap the two masks for Theatre Mode, which also keeps the screen dark.

An Apple Watch has several quiet modes, and they do different things. Picking the right one stops the watch from beeping in a meeting or lighting up in a dark room.

These steps are for recent versions of watchOS. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the watch screen, not screenshots.

Step by step

  1. Press the side button

    This opens Control Centre.

  2. Control CentreSilent ModeTheatre ModeDo Not DisturbAirplane Mode

    Tap the bell for Silent Mode

    Sounds are muted. You still feel a tap on the wrist for notifications and alarms. Timers and alarms still sound while the watch is on its charger.

  3. Control CentreSilent ModeTheatre ModeDo Not DisturbAirplane Mode

    Tap the masks for Theatre Mode

    Theatre Mode turns on Silent Mode and stops the screen lighting up when you raise your wrist. Tap the screen or press a button to see the time.

  4. Control CentreSilent ModeTheatre ModeDo Not DisturbAirplane Mode

    Tap the moon for Do Not Disturb

    Do Not Disturb, or another Focus, stops notifications from arriving at all, with no sound and no tap. By default the same Focus turns on for your iPhone too.

Good to know

To silence a call or alert that is ringing right now, cover the watch screen with your palm for three seconds. This is called Cover to Mute and is on by default.

If the taps on your wrist are too weak or too strong, open Settings on the watch, tap Sounds & Haptics and change Haptic Strength.

In short: Side button, then the bell for Silent Mode or the masks for Theatre Mode.

Sources
  • Apple Support: Silence your Apple Watch
  • Apple Support: Use Control Centre on Apple Watch

Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.