Apple Intelligence now features Image Playground, Genmoji, Writing Tools enhancements, seamless support for ChatGPT, and visual intelligence.

Apple Intelligence has also begun language expansion with localized English support for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. Learn more >

You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

My Apple Watch Ultra 2 Side button activates emergency services menu while working out.

The side button emergency services feature activates when it's depressed while bending my wrist to do weights, or dips while working out. I read an expired post where another person was experiencing similar issues, and the remedy was to wear the watch further up the wrist, or disabling the emergency feature. I found both of these remedies inadequate, b/c I don't want to wear my watch on my forearm, or disable the emergency call feature should I ever need to use it. Is there a way to switch the side button features with the action button, putting it on the opposite side of the watch? This issue can be solved if once the side button emergency call feature is disabled, I now be given the option to select it as a feature on the action button.

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Posted on Jan 7, 2024 1:33 PM

Reply
3 replies

Jan 7, 2024 2:14 PM in response to markr00

This happens to some users when they bend their wrist and press against the Apple Watch. Either the wrist or the clothing they are wearing.


First try changing the "Side Button Click Speed"

Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed “Side Button Click Speed” can adjust the press and release timing, so you get the Control Center display every time. Adjusting The "Side Button Click Speed" is also useful for Apple Pay’s double press and release. There is “Default” (sub second timing of needed), “Slow” (up to a second between press and release), and “Slowest” (up to 2 seconds between press and release). I like the “Slow” setting. NOTE: Slow and Slowest settings do not mean you have to wait a full second or 2 seconds between press and release. It just means you do not need to be super fast.


The other thing you can do is change the watch bands so that the Digital Crown and flat oval side button point towards your Elbow. Then use Settings -> General -> Orientation to switch the watch face around so it is properly oriented for reading in the new orientation.

My Apple Watch Ultra 2 Side button activates emergency services menu while working out.

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.