Level 1

25 points

Apple Watch Ultra 4 action button has long delay for flashlight when screen is in standby

I picked up the Ultra 4 and having issues where there are long delays when pressing the action button if the screen is in standby mode for longer than a minute or so. If awake I never have an issue. I have it set to the flashlight. What's strange is if the display is in standby and I press the action button the flashlight will eventually come on after 30 seconds or so. If I tap the screen to wake the display the flashlight come on right away. Steps I've tried:

repairing the watch
setting up as new
replaced the watch at the Apple Store

Feels like a software bug but I don't see anyone else reporting it.

Posted on Sep 20, 2026 11:23 AM

Top-ranking reply

WheelieNick

Level 9

74,110 points

Posted on Sep 20, 2026 2:20 PM

Hi there

Please try this

Turn off "Hold to Turn On" for the Siren: In your watch Settings, go to Action Button and toggle off Hold to Turn On. Sometimes the system adds a lingering processing delay because it is waiting to see if you are performing a prolonged press to activate the emergency siren.

Use a Shortcut as a Proxy: Instead of mapping the Action Button directly to the native "Flashlight" function, try creating a simple one-action Shortcut on your iPhone that turns on the flashlight. Map the Action Button to execute that Shortcut. Shortcuts often handle system wake commands using a different API process that might bypass the deep-sleep lag.

Toggle Always-On Display: If you currently have Always-On Display disabled, enabling it can sometimes keep the low-power processor states slightly more responsive to physical button triggers.

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26 replies

Richard371 Author

Level 1

25 points

Sep 22, 2026 8:01 AM in response to Alphix

Yup wasted my time and it messed up my trade in. They sent me a gift card instead. Its a bug for sure.

Alphix

Level 1

44 points

Sep 22, 2026 8:10 AM in response to Richard371

I’ve spoken to Apple technical support about this yesterday and opened up a ticket regarding the issue. They’re supposed to get back to me with any information. I’ll be sure to pass it on.

Sep 22, 2026 8:50 AM in response to Alphix

THANK YOU!!!

Sep 22, 2026 9:17 AM in response to Richard371

yes the fix with the "siren" did not work for me. still does not work properly

Richard371 Author

Level 1

25 points

Sep 23, 2026 6:05 PM in response to Richard371

This is not fixed with the latest AW update. How could Apple miss something so simple? Does no one use the action button when the watch face is asleep lol?

Alphix

Level 1

44 points

Sep 24, 2026 2:05 PM in response to Richard371

Got this from Apple today. I’ll let you guys know what comes of it.

oleksiiz

Level 1

8 points

Sep 25, 2026 12:42 PM in response to Richard371

I have same issue

Alphix

Level 1

44 points

Sep 28, 2026 6:47 AM in response to ONEWORLDMAC

Do you happen to have the black or the Natural color? Could you share your model number? Wondering if the issue has something to do with the color or the model number.

Sep 28, 2026 6:36 PM in response to GC27

Same issue here and also the issue persists with 27.0.1

Alphix

Level 1

44 points

Sep 28, 2026 8:24 PM in response to Richard371

So I returned my second Apple Watch Ultra 4 and got another one. The problem is still there. That’s 3 different devices with the same issue. I’m done with exchanges now I’m just waiting for a patch.

Ch0cM1nt

Level 1

8 points

Nov 10, 2026 5:09 PM in response to Richard371

same problem here on latest watchOS... anyone had theirs fixed somehow?

Apple Watch Ultra 4 action button has long delay for flashlight when screen is in standby