Nightstand Mode Stays On

Question

Level 4

1,094 points

Nightstand Mode Stays On

I've got an Apple Watch Sport and ever since upgrading it to watchOS 4 when I put it on the charger at night Nightstand mode won't switch off. This both disturbs my sleep and slows charging to a crawl of course. This did not happen when running watchOS 3.

The solution I've found is to take it off the charger, shut the Watch down and restart it, then put it back on the charger and Nightstand mode then works fine. Until the following night when the process needs to be repeated...

Another issue I noticed while doing this is that I can't shut it down when it's on the charger — long-pressing the side button brings up the power off & emergency SOS screen but the sliders are disabled and cannot be operated. I don't know if this is how it used to work in previous releases as I'd never tried to restart the watch on the charger before. Take it off the charger and long-press the side button and I can shut it down normally.

Anyone else experiencing this problem with watchOS 4?

Apple Watch Sport 38mm (1st Gen), watchOS 3.2

Posted on Sep 22, 2017 10:14 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,021 points

Sep 22, 2017 10:18 AM in response to David Shanahan

Hi

Apple Watch cannot be turned off when it is on the charger and connected to power - that is normal.

When charging your Apple Watch in Nightstand Mode, check that you are placing it on a surface that is still and free from vibrations.

Whilst in Nightstand Mode, your Apple Watch is especially sensitive to vibrations. Continual vibrations can prevent the display from sleeping.

Use Nightstand mode on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

If the issue persists, I suggest that you contact Apple Support (remote diagnostics and/or mail-in service may be available, if required), make a Genius Bar reservation or visit an Apple Authorised Service Provider for assistance:

Apple Watch Service Answer Center - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 2

David Shanahan Author

Level 4

1,094 points

Sep 23, 2017 8:39 AM in response to David Shanahan

As it turned out re-pairing wasn't necessary — solution was to use Watch app, goto General and flip Bedside Mode switch off and then on again. That fixed it, now Bedside Mode works properly again.

Reply

Answer 3

David Shanahan Author

Level 4

1,094 points

Sep 22, 2017 10:36 AM in response to Jonathan UK

The surface is free from vibrations, it's not that. It seems to be a software issue, perhaps one that only affects first generation Apple watches. Hopefully one that will be fixed in watchOS 4.0.x...

I'll try unpairing and repairing it and see if that helps.

Thanks for the info on powering off while on the charger, I didn't know that before.

Reply

Answer 4

David Shanahan Author

Level 4

1,094 points

Oct 9, 2017 6:26 AM in response to David Shanahan

Further experience — the problem with Bedside Mode returned after several days, and this time flipping the setting off and on again did not fix it. The only way to fix it this time was to power the Watch off and on again.

There seems to be a problem with Bedside mode under watchOS 4. Sometimes simply flipping the Bedside mode switch off and on again in the Watch app fixes it and sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't the only workaround I've found is to shutdown and restart the Watch.

Reply

Answer 5

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,021 points

Sep 22, 2017 10:38 AM in response to David Shanahan

You're welcome! 🙂

Reply