Wrist flick won't turn off after disabling gestures

wrist flick wont turn off even after turning gestures off totally

Is it always on by default ?

Apple Watch Series 10, watchOS 26

Posted on Jan 7, 2026 5:33 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 7, 2026 8:24 PM

Hi rogill,

Re: Wrist flick won't turn off after disabling gestures


By default, Wrist Flick is turned on. To turn it off, go to the Settings app on Apple Watch, then tap Gestures.

_____________________________

If the setting is turned off already, and the wrist-flick gesture is still working:

You may want to try restarting your Watch to see if that updates the setting you changed, and restores order, and then, also restart the paired iPhone as well.

Restart Apple Watch - Apple Support

Eg says:

"If something isn’t working right, try restarting your Apple Watch and its paired iPhone.

Restart Apple Watch

  • Turn off your Apple Watch: Press and hold the side button until the sliders appear, tap , then drag the Power Off slider to the right.
  • Turn on your Apple Watch: Hold down the side button until the Apple logo appears.


Restart the paired iPhone

  • Turn off your iPhone: For models with Face ID, press and hold the side button and a volume button, then drag the slider to the right. For models without Face ID, press and hold the side or top button until the slider appears, then drag the slider to the right. With any model, you can also go to Settings > General > Shut Down.
  • Turn on your iPhone: Hold down the side or top button until the Apple logo appears."


All the best :-)

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 7, 2026 8:24 PM in response to rogill

Hi rogill,

Re: Wrist flick won't turn off after disabling gestures


By default, Wrist Flick is turned on. To turn it off, go to the Settings app on Apple Watch, then tap Gestures.

_____________________________

If the setting is turned off already, and the wrist-flick gesture is still working:

You may want to try restarting your Watch to see if that updates the setting you changed, and restores order, and then, also restart the paired iPhone as well.

Restart Apple Watch - Apple Support

Eg says:

"If something isn’t working right, try restarting your Apple Watch and its paired iPhone.

Restart Apple Watch

  • Turn off your Apple Watch: Press and hold the side button until the sliders appear, tap , then drag the Power Off slider to the right.
  • Turn on your Apple Watch: Hold down the side button until the Apple logo appears.


Restart the paired iPhone

  • Turn off your iPhone: For models with Face ID, press and hold the side button and a volume button, then drag the slider to the right. For models without Face ID, press and hold the side or top button until the slider appears, then drag the slider to the right. With any model, you can also go to Settings > General > Shut Down.
  • Turn on your iPhone: Hold down the side or top button until the Apple logo appears."


All the best :-)

Wrist flick won't turn off after disabling gestures

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