Cannot turn off Now Playing on Apple Watch

Definitely a bug Apple needs to fix, can't believe this is still not addressed.

The following workaround worked for me (all described in various other comments):

1. Press the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch.
2. Tap Settings on the list of apps or in the grid view.
3. Tap General.
4. Tap Wake Screen.
5. Tap the switch next to Auto-Launch Audio Apps so it's in the grey "off" position.

Then

On the Watch app on your iPhone:

General -> Auto-Launch (verify it is off here. should be based on your above description)

back to the main list under General and look for "Enable Handoff". Probably enabled and it should be.

Toggle it off and tap "Back" in the upper left. (tapping back out and back in may not be required, just what I did)

Tap back on General and turn back on "Enable Handoff".

Then

Restart the apple watch

So far, now playing (Podcasts, Music app) is not showing on my watch face when playing on my iPhone

Solved it! Go in to Watch app on iPhone, click General, then auto launch, then turn off.

Having the same exact issue... I have been playing with this over the last month or two. I MAY have just found a potential fix.

On the Watch app on your iPhone:

General -> Auto-Launch (verify it is off here. should be based on your above description)

back to the main list under General and look for "Enable Handoff". Probably enabled and it should be.

Toggle it off and tap "Back" in the upper left. (tapping back out and back in may not be required, just what I did)

Tap back on General and turn back on "Enable Handoff".

SO FAR... my watch has not shown "Now Playing". Let me know if you have the same luck! (I'll update if anything changes)

thanks for the hack.

switching off auto launch and handsoff and then restarting the watch worked for me.

I’d did this then reset my watch and fixed

Settings → General → Auto-launch → Auto-launch audio apps → switch off

Close Apple Music on your watch

Restart or soft reset you watch (Press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown until the screen turns black and the Apple logo reappears, then release both buttons)

Done.

This seems to have worked.

First I tried some of the other suggestions, with auto launch and handoff and stuff...neither worked.

Then deleted the app "Now Playing" app. (You may re-download it from Apple Store on the Apple Watch.)

Also did a restart on the Apple Watch, for good measure.

Still playing a video on the Youtube app on my Apple TV with the sound over my Homepods, and the annoying "Now Playing" icon on the Apple Watch is nowhere to be seen...

disabling handoff and then reenabling worked for me

Switching off enable handoff fixed it for me.

Thanks much !

I've been having the same issue. I've done all the suggestions as well as restarted my watch and Now Playing is STILL starting up. My battery life wasn't an issue until I did the new 10.5 update a few days ago, battery used to last around 36hrs and now I'm lucky to get 20hrs.

I have tried this fix to no avail. It happened after I tried resetting my watch to get the battery to last longer than 11 hours. Nothing has helped and now I have my watch showing audio books when it didn’t before. I am at a real loss on how to keep my watch from dying during the day.

The above does not work! I cannot believe Apple has not found a permanent fix to resolve this issue. I don’t want music playing on my watch, eating up the battery, when playing in my car or out walking with my phone.

It worked for me. thanks.

I have a series 7 watch and an iPhone 15. When I updated both I lost the option to turn off my auto launch audible on/off toggle.

i can still listen to my audio book from my library and directions from maps.

By deleting the “now playing” app, I am wondering what options I deleted and can I ad it back in on my watch if I need to? Thanks

neither suggestion has worked for my series 9. Helpppp!!! It’s draining my battery at night!!

Thankyou what you suggested absolutely worked…