How is Apple Watch 9 fall detection supposed to work?

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Level 1

4 points

How is Apple Watch 9 fall detection supposed to work?

My Apple Watch 9 (on my left wrist) detected a fall and I thought it was calling SOS which is what I wanted it to do. I don't remember exactly what the watch was displaying because i was in pain with a broken right arm, which meant that i was unable to scroll or touch the watch controls on my left wrist. It appeared to be actively accessing 911 but nothing happened. Fortunately the iphone 12 SOS function worked to access 911 and I received assistance.

What were my options on the watch?

Did the watch not activate SOS because I didn't remain still for a minute?

Thank you

Posted on Jan 25, 2024 11:25 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Ingo2711

Level 10

80,373 points

Jan 25, 2024 11:32 AM in response to Mountdore

Which iPhone do you have and is this an Apple Watch 9 cellular?

Have a look at this part of the related article about how Fall Detection is working on an Apple Watch:

...

With Fall Detection enabled, if Apple Watch detects a hard fall, it can help connect you to emergency services and send a message to your emergency contacts. If Apple Watch detects a hard fall and that you have been immobile for about a minute, it will tap your wrist, sound an alarm, and then attempt to call emergency services.

To call emergency services, your Apple Watch or nearby iPhone needs a cellular connection, or needs to have Wi-Fi calling turned on and Wi-Fi coverage available.

If cellular and Wi-Fi coverage are not available, and your iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro or later is near your Apple Watch, Fall Detection will use your iPhone to send the notification using Emergency SOS via satellite, where Emergency SOS via satellite is available. See the Apple Support article Use Emergency SOS via satellite on your iPhone.

...

copied from: Manage Fall Detection on Apple Watch - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Ingo2711

Level 10

80,373 points

Jan 29, 2024 1:57 AM in response to Mountdore

You should contact the official Apple Support about that, they can diagnose your watch online.

Maybe they can find the issue by looking through the protocols on your Apple Watch.

You can use this online link as a start:

Contact Apple Watch Support

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Answer 3

Ingo2711

Level 10

80,373 points

Jan 25, 2024 12:32 PM in response to Mountdore

As far as I understand, in that case, your iPhone has to be in reach of the Apple Watch to relay the emergency call from your Apple Watch, and the watch has to be connected to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Make phone calls on Apple Watch - Apple Support

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Answer 4

Mountdore Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 25, 2024 1:02 PM in response to Mountdore

The watch does seem to be connected to the phone, because incoming phone calls on the phone are reflected on the watch face

This is why I am puzzled that the watch having discovered a serious fall, and SOS situation did not seem to be able to make the call

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Answer 5

Mountdore Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 26, 2024 8:36 AM in response to Ingo2711

Yes, I was able to use Siri to initiate a phone call from my Apple nine watch. After the automated switchboard of the business that I’d called answered, I was able to close the call from the button on the watch.

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Answer 6

Ingo2711

Level 10

80,373 points

Jan 26, 2024 1:27 PM in response to Ingo2711

Can you make a phone call directly from your Apple Watch?

You will have to enable Wi-Fi calling.

...

copied from: Make phone calls on Apple Watch - Apple Support

...

If your Apple Watch is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular

With a Wi-Fi or cellular connection, your Apple Watch can do the following things, even if your iPhone isn't with you.

Make and answer phone calls.1

1. If you're on Wi-Fi and want to call a phone number, make sure that Wi-Fi calling is turned on for your Apple Watch.

...

copied from: Use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby - Apple Support

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Answer 7

Mountdore Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 27, 2024 9:14 AM in response to Ingo2711

yes, I've added more detail above.

To recap, Yes I can make and receive hone calls from the watch.

The outstanding question is why the watch, having determined there was a hard fall and identifying that SOS was required, did not complete the call for SOS and 911

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