How to Turn Off Theater Mode on Apple Watch [2023 Guide]

Disabling Theater Mode on Your Apple Watch: Start by waking up your Apple Watch’s face screen. Next, gently swipe upwards from the base of the screen to bring up the Control Center. Within this, locate the Theater Mode icon, symbolized by two orange masks. A simple tap on this icon will turn off Theater Mode, returning your Apple Watch to its standard settings. Remember, when Theater Mode is active, the icon will appear highlighted.

Our guide on how to turn off theater mode on Apple Watch provides additional information on this topic, including pictures of these steps.

You can also check out our video about how to turn off theater mode on Apple Watch for additional coverage of this topic.

Would you like to change your ringtone or buy a new one? Our ringtone iPhone 11 guide will show you how to accomplish that.

How to Turn On or Turn Off Theater Mode on the Apple Watch (Guide with Pictures)

The steps in this guide were performed on an Apple Watch 2 using the watchOS 3.2.1 version of the operating system.

If your watch is behaving strangely, such as if it is remaining dark all the time unless you tap the screen or press one of the side buttons, then it’s likely that Theater Mode has been enabled by accident.

These steps will show you how to turn off theater mode on Apple Watch, or how to turn it on.

Step 1: Open the Apple Watch Control Center.

open the apple watch control center

Swipe up from the bottom of the watch face to open the Control Center.

Step 2: Select the Theater Mode button.

how to turn off or turn on theater mode

Scroll to the bottom of this menu and tap on the icon with two masks on it.

Step 3: Touch the Theater Mode button.

how to enable or disable theater mode on the apple watch

Tap Theater Mode to turn it on.

Now that you know how to turn off theater mode on Apple Watch, you will be able to selectively enable or disable this setting when appropriate.

Last update on 2024-10-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API | As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Most of the features and settings on your Apple Watch can be customized or removed. For example, this article will show you how to stop the Breather Reminders from appearing if you aren’t using them and typically wind up dismissing them whenever they pop up.

What is Theater Mode on Apple Watch?

The Apple Watch’s Theater Mode allows you to mute your watch and prevent the display from turning on when you raise your wrist. This feature is intended to keep you from disturbing people when you’re in a dark area, such as a movie theater.

When you activate Theater Mode on your Apple Watch, all audio and haptic feedback is muted, and the screen remains dark unless you tap it or press a button. You will continue to get notifications and alerts, but you will not be bothered by noises or the screen lighting up.

To open the Control Center on your Apple Watch, swipe up from the bottom of the screen, then tap the Theater Mode button (it looks like a pair of theater masks). By hitting the same button again, you can exit Theater Mode.

Video About Turning Off Apple Watch Theater Mode

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Enable or Disable Theater Mode on Apple Watch

What are the orange masks on my Apple Watch?

If you see an icon at the top of your Apple Watch face that shows two orange masks, then that means that Theater Mode is enabled.

This silences the watch, as well as keeps the screen dark unless oyu press the crown button or tap the screen.

You can swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the watch Control center, then tap the orange mask button to turn it off.

How do I open the Apple Watch Control Center?

Your Apple Watch has a control center similar to the one you would find on an iPhone or iPad.

You can open the Control center on the watch by swiping up from the bottom of the screen.

This menu contains not only the button for Theater Mode, but also options to put the watch into silent mode, ping your paired iPhone, turn on the flashlight, enable water lock, and more.

What does Theater Mode do on the Apple Watch?

When you elect to turn on Theater Mode on your watch, the following things will happen:

– The watch will be put into Silent Mode.
– The screen will remain dark unless you tap the screen or press the digital crown button on the side of the watch.

Why won’t my Apple Watch display go on when I get a notification or raise my wrist?

If you are accustomed to your watch face lighting up all the time, then you may think something is wrong if the screen won’t illuminate if you got a text message or a notification.

This is usually happening because theatre mode is enabled on the watch.

If you swipe up from the bottom of the watch face to open Control Center, you can tap the theater mode icon to enable or disable that setting.

Would you like to make sure that you are spending enough time washing your hands? Our Apple Watch wash hands article can help you find the option on your watch that can time that activity automatically.

Turning Off Apple Watch Theater Mode Infographic

how to turn off theater mode on Apple Watch infographic

Summary – How to Use the Apple Watch Theater Mode

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of the watch.
  2. Choose the masks icon.
  3. Tap Theater Mode to turn it on or off.

If you are seeing a weird blue water icon, then read our guide on how to enable or disable the water drop on Apple Watch and learn what it means and how to use it.

Conclusion

Dimming your iPhone screen is something that you will do in a dark environment either because it’s too bright for you or because you are worried that it might disturb others.

The Apple Watch screen can be pretty bright, too, and it has a feature called Theater Mode that changes some settings so that it is less disruptive in a dark setting, like a movie theater.

But you might be wondering how to turn off theater mode on Apple Watch if you are no longer in a dark environment and want to continue using the watch like normal.

The Apple Watch is a very convenient accessory for your iPhone. It provides a simple way to view notifications without needing to pull your phone out of your pocket or purse.

But even the Apple Watch face can be quite bright, so Apple introduced a Theater Mode setting where the watch face won’t light up unless you tap the screen or press one of the side buttons. Theater Mode also places the watch into a silent mode as well.

If you would like to use Theater Mode to prevent your screen from lighting up or making any sounds, then our article below will show you where to find it.

Additionally, it is possible that Theater Mode has been enabled on your watch by accident (such as if a child was looking at your arm and was fascinated by your watch) so you can use these steps to disable Theater Mode if you find that your watch face isn’t lighting up.

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