How to use the Mindfulness app on an Apple Watch
2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 3 October 2026
Open the Mindfulness app on the watch and tap Breathe or Reflect. In Breathe, inhale slowly as the animation grows and exhale as it shrinks. To change the length, tap the More Options button next to the session, tap Duration and pick one to five minutes.
The Mindfulness app offers two short exercises. Breathe leads you through slow breathing with an animation and taps on the wrist. Reflect gives you one thought to concentrate on for a minute. Both take less time than making a cup of tea.
These steps are for recent versions of watchOS. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the watch screen, not screenshots.
Step by step
Open the Mindfulness app
Press the Digital Crown and tap Mindfulness.
Start a Breathe session
Tap Breathe. Breathe in slowly while the animation grows and out while it shrinks. The watch taps your wrist in the same rhythm, so you can close your eyes.
Start a Reflect session
Tap Reflect, read the theme on the screen and tap Begin. Keep your attention on that thought until the watch taps to end the session.
Change the length
Tap the More Options button next to Reflect or Breathe, tap Duration and choose from one to five minutes.
Change the breathing speed
Open the Settings app on the watch, tap Mindfulness and then Breath Rate, and set the number of breaths per minute. Fewer breaths mean slower, deeper breathing.
Set or stop the reminders
In the same settings, switch Start of Day and End of Day on or off, or tap Add Reminder for a time of your own. Mute for today silences them until tomorrow.
Good to know
At the end of a session the watch shows your heart rate. Earlier sessions are in the Health app on the iPhone under Browse, Heart, Heart Rate.
The same settings are in the Watch app on the iPhone: My Watch, Mindfulness. There you can also set the strength of the taps under Haptics.
Slow breathing calms most people within a few minutes. If it makes you dizzy, stop and breathe normally.
When thoughts keep circling: how to stop overthinking.
In short: Mindfulness app, Breathe or Reflect. More Options, Duration for one to five minutes. Breath Rate and reminders under Settings, Mindfulness.
- Apple Support: Use the Mindfulness app on your Apple Watch
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