Resume Last Activity on Apple Watch with Wrist Raise

Apple Watch: Resuming Your Last Activity on Wrist Raise

Typically, your Apple Watch screen activates when you lift your wrist. By default, upon activation via a wrist raise, the watch face is displayed. This occurs regardless of the application you were previously using.

However, the “Resume To” setting allows customization of this behavior. You can choose whether the watch face consistently appears, or if the Apple Watch will return to the application you were utilizing before the screen deactivated.

Adjusting the Setting on Your Watch

To modify this setting directly on your watch, first access the Home screen by pressing the digital crown. Then, select the “Settings” icon.

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

Next, navigate to and select “Wake Screen” from the “General” screen options.

If the “Watch Face” option is currently selected, the watch face will always be shown when you raise your wrist.

To have the watch resume the previously active application, tap “Previous Activity” under the “Resume To” section on the “Wake Screen” display. Return to the Home screen by pressing the digital crown, and then again to return to the watch face.

Modifying the Setting via Your iPhone

Alternatively, you can adjust this setting using your paired iPhone. Begin by tapping the “Watch” icon on your iPhone’s Home screen.

Ensure that the “My Watch” screen is currently active. If not, tap the “My Watch” icon located at the bottom of the screen.

Within the “My Watch” screen, select “General”.

Scroll down the “General” screen and tap on “Wake Screen”.

On the “Wake Screen” screen, under “On Wrist Raise”, tap “Resume Last Activity”.

Important Note: Changes made to this setting on either your watch or your iPhone will synchronize across both devices.

You also have the option to disable the “Wake Screen on Wrist Raise” feature entirely from the same screen. This can be useful in situations like activating “theater mode”, preventing the watch face from illuminating when your wrist is raised.

Understanding "On Wrist Raise" vs. "Resume To"

It’s important to note that the setting is referred to differently on the watch and the phone. While the setting is called "Resume To" on the Apple Watch, it is labeled "On Wrist Raise" on the iPhone. Despite the differing names, they control the same functionality.