Apple Watch Screen Timeout: Keep Your Display On Longer

Apple Watch Screen Wake Duration Adjustment

Typically, the display on your Apple Watch activates when you lift your wrist and deactivates when you lower it. The screen can also be awakened by a tap, displaying the watch face for a default period of 15 seconds.

However, this default duration can be extended to 70 seconds. This extended wake time proves beneficial when utilizing your watch as a flashlight or when needing prolonged visibility of information displayed on the screen.

Changing the Setting on Your Watch

To modify this setting directly on your watch, first press the digital crown to navigate to the Home screen.

how-to-make-the-apple-watch-screen-stay-on-longer-1.jpg

From the Home screen, select the “Settings” icon to access the settings menu.

how-to-make-the-apple-watch-screen-stay-on-longer-2.jpg

Within the “Settings” menu, tap on “General”.

how-to-make-the-apple-watch-screen-stay-on-longer-3.jpg

Next, tap “Wake Screen” located on the “General” screen.

how-to-make-the-apple-watch-screen-stay-on-longer-4.jpg

The “Wake Screen” settings panel will then be displayed.

Note: This screen also provides the option to disable “Wake Screen on Wrist Raise”, a feature useful when activating “theater mode”.

how-to-make-the-apple-watch-screen-stay-on-longer-5.jpg

Scroll to the bottom of the “Wake Screen” screen and tap “Wake for 70 Seconds” under the “On Tap” section. You can navigate back through the “Settings” screens by tapping the title at the top of each screen. Alternatively, use the digital crown to return to the Home screen and subsequently the watch face.

Note: Exiting “Settings” with the digital crown will automatically open the last accessed screen the next time “Settings” is opened.

how-to-make-the-apple-watch-screen-stay-on-longer-6.jpg

Changing the Setting on Your iPhone

To adjust this setting via your iPhone, locate and tap the “Watch” app icon on your home screen.

how-to-make-the-apple-watch-screen-stay-on-longer-7.jpg

Within the “Watch” app, tap “General” on the “Settings” screen.

how-to-make-the-apple-watch-screen-stay-on-longer-8.jpg

On the “General” screen, select “Wake Screen”.

how-to-make-the-apple-watch-screen-stay-on-longer-9.jpg

Under “On Tap”, tap the “Wake for 70 Seconds” option.

how-to-make-the-apple-watch-screen-stay-on-longer-10.jpg

Note: The “Wake for 70 Seconds” setting applies only when the screen is activated by tapping, and not by raising your wrist. To shorten the display time, simply cover the watch face with your palm.