Find out what to do if the double-tap gesture isn’t working as expected on your Apple Watch Series 9 or Apple Watch Ultra 2.
If your Apple Watch doesn’t recognise the double-tap gesture
If you try to use the double-tap gesture but your Apple Watch doesn’t recognise it, follow these steps:
Raise your wrist to wake the screen. The display must brighten before you attempt to use the double-tap gesture. Using the hand you’re wearing your Apple Watch on, tap your index finger and thumb together twice. This should be at the same pace as double-clicking a trackpad or double-clicking the Side button for Apple Pay. Attempt the double-tap gesture when you’re sitting down or standing still.* To find out more, open the Settings app on your watch, then tap Gestures > Double Tap > Learn more in Tips.
Make sure your Apple Watch is unlocked and fitted correctly on your wrist.
On your watch face, check whether Low Power Mode
, Sleep Focus, Theatre Mode, or Water Lock are on. Double tap is only available when you turn these features off in Control Centre. Make sure your Apple Watch isn’t paired as a Family Setup Apple Watch.
Make sure Double Tap is turned on. To check, open the Settings app on your watch, then tap Gestures > Double Tap. Double Tap can’t be turned on when any of the following accessibility settings are turned on: AssistiveTouch, Quick Actions, Zoom with Hand Gestures or VoiceOver with Hand Gestures.
Make sure Wrist Detection is turned on. To check, open the Settings app on your Apple Watch, then tap Passcode.
Make sure Wake on Wrist Raise is turned on. To check, open the Settings app on your Apple Watch, then tap Display & Brightness.
* Apple Watch may not detect the double-tap gesture when you’re moving up or down stairs, running or cycling, or if you have a tattoo on your wrist.
If your activity unintentionally triggers Double Tap
During some activities, Apple Watch may recognise the double-tap gesture when you didn't intentionally make it. You can turn off Double Tap, then turn it back on:
Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
Tap Gestures > Double Tap, then turn off Double Tap.
When you've finished the activity, turn Double Tap back on.
If the Double Tap icon shakes from side to side
When you use double tap successfully, the double tap icon
appears briefly at the top of the screen. If double tap icon shakes from side to side, then double tap isn’t available for that screen or third-party app.
Here are some common actions that you can do using Double Tap:
Play and pause music, podcasts, audiobooks and other media in Now Playing
Answer or end a phone call
Stop a timer
Reply to a message
Open Smart Stack from the Apple Watch face and scroll through widgets
Snooze an alarm
Take a photo in Camera Remote
Record a voice memo
Pause and resume a stopwatch
Switch torch modes
Double Tap will not be available when you’re using the Depth app or taking an ECG.
If you need more help
If the double-tap gesture still doesn’t work, follow these steps:
Make sure your Apple Watch is running watchOS 10.1 or later.
Open the Settings app on your watch, then tap Gestures > Double Tap. Turn off Double Tap, then turn it back on again.
Make sure you’re wearing your Apple Watch on the wrist you selected in Settings. To check, open the Settings app on your watch, then tap General > Orientation.
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