Why is Smart Stack behavior different on Apple Watch Series 10?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Why is Smart Stack behavior different on Apple Watch Series 10?

Got a Watch 10, still also using my Watch8. Never did anything to configure the Smart Stack on the 8, it just worked.

Both have the same apps, same widgets, same OS version, but when I'm playing music the 8 automatically switches to Smart Stack with the Now Playing song info and pause button, while the 10 never shows that no matter what I do. The only option it shows me when I try to add Now Playing is "Suggested", which goes to Music, which is not easy to read at a quick glance when driving.

The 8 also shows the HomeKit "Unlock the front door" widget when I get within range of my house. I had to add that to the permanent list on the 10.

Is there any way to make my new watch behave as well as my old one?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Apple Watch Series 10

Posted on Dec 20, 2024 3:14 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 20, 2024 4:18 PM in response to lrucker

Okay. So it seems like it's not an issue of settings.

Your Apple Watch Series 10 is properly launching the Live Activity, just not the relevant one according to your information. Have you raised the issue with Apple Support? It's possible that this is either a software bug, or related to a new feature added.

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Answer 2

Dec 20, 2024 3:31 PM in response to lrucker

Hello lrucker,

I think this should resolve the Smart Stack issue:

On your Apple Watch go to Settings -> Smart Stack -> Live Activities
Make sure Allow Live Activities is turned on
Then, toggle on Auto-Launch Live Activities
Also, go to Widget Suggestions -> Allow Widget Suggestions
Turn on Allow Widget Suggestions (this will allow widgets to automatically add themselves to the Smart Stack)

Let me know if this works. Based on your description, these steps should ensure that the relevant widget automatically appears at the top of the Smart Stack as it is doing on your Apple Watch Series 8.

Have a nice day.

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Answer 3

Dec 20, 2024 3:38 PM in response to lrucker

Also, if you want to ensure that the Live Activity launches automatically even with your wrist down, make sure to enable Show Live Activities on Wrist Down (under Live Activities in Settings on your Apple Watch).

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Answer 4

lrucker Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 20, 2024 3:43 PM in response to DesignPro22

They are. The 10 got set up as a copy of the 8, all the settings got cloned correctly.

The 10 did auto-launch HomeKit, it just picked a random scene that isn't even a Favorite. I'd guessed that the 8 picked it because the Unlock scene is set to run when I get back in the geofence, but of course it needs confirmation.

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Answer 5

Dec 20, 2024 4:55 PM in response to lrucker

You're welcome! Sorry I couldn't help more. If you'd like, you can post the solution here (if Apple Support helps you find one) so that future users can resolve an issue of this sort by viewing your post.

Take care.

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Answer 6

lrucker Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 20, 2024 4:48 PM in response to DesignPro22

I will now; I'd started here in case it was a known issue. Thanks!

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