Apple Watch failed to detect a significant fall!

[jaybar]

Hi

My AW series 6 failed to detect a significant fall. I contacted Apple Support. They were very nice. They went over basic setup issues and ran basic diagnostics. Everything checked out, according to Apple.

I am aware that Apple states the watch cannot detect all falls. However, I want to make sure the watch is not defective with regard to fall detection.

I am NOT looking to return the watch (titanium). I wrote to Tim Cook’s office and have so far received no response.
What are my options for testing the watch more rigorously?

Have you had a similar experience of your watch failing to detect a significant fall?

Thanks

 

[artfossil]

Yes, once. But most of the time my Watch is hyper-zealous (e.g. clapping my hands to discipline my cat can register as a fall).

My two serious falls were detected (and I was OK).

Fall detection isn’t 100%. But it’s very good. And you have Emergency SOS as a backup.

I always wear my Watch in the shower as that’s a prime spot for falls.

 

[jaybar]

Yes, once. But most of the time my Watch is hyper-zealous (e.g. clapping my hands to discipline my cat can register as a fall).

My two serious falls were detected (and I was OK).

Fall detection isn’t 100%. But it’s very good. And you have Emergency SOS as a backup.

I always wear my Watch in the shower as that’s a prime spot for falls.

@artfossil

Since Apple support ran diagnostics abd said the sensors were ok and it was set up ok, is there anything else I can do?

 

[artfossil]

@artfossil

Since Apple support ran diagnostics abd said the sensors were ok and it was set up ok, is there anything else I can do?

Well, make sure you have emergency SOS set up in a way that works for you, make sure you have an emergency contact listed and . . . relax. Chances are if you do fall your Watch will detect it.

 

[jaybar]

Well, make sure you have emergency SOS set up in a way that works for you, make sure you have an emergency contact listed and . . . relax. Chances are if you do fall your Watch will detect it.

Thanks

I fell down a concrete staircase. I would think that was a significant enough fall for the watch to detect.

 

[cwosigns]

Did you move after? It doesn’t do anything if you move. I fell last night hard. Scraped hands and knees badly. But I got up so no need to intervene.

 

[GrandeLatte]

I got an AW6 for my dad. It's worked pretty well so far. In my experience, the watch was a bit hyper vigilant. But for my father, it is better this way.

 

[jaybar]

I got an AW6 for my dad. It's worked pretty well so far. In my experience, the watch was a bit hyper vigilant. But for my father, it is better this way.

This does not tell me how to diagnose if the watch is handling falls correctly.

 

[bricktop_at]

This does not tell me how to diagnose if the watch is handling falls correctly.

1) Fall to the ground (hard)
2) Don't move
3) See if the watch detects it

 

[jaybar]

Thanks. After falling down a flight of stairs, I am sure I want to fall down hard to test it in that way.

 

[bricktop_at]

On a more serious note: My fall detection triggered once or twice over the last 2 years, when I hit something quite hard with the hand I was wearing the watch on. Maybe you could reproduce something like that somehow....

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

Did you move after? It doesn’t do anything if you move. I fell last night hard. Scraped hands and knees badly. But I got up so no need to intervene. View attachment 1810907

This is inconsistent. I was snowboarding earlier this year and crashed pretty hard but immediately jumped up and continued on. Before I had gotten too far I had buzzing on my wrist and had to stop and rip off my gloves to cancel the call to emergency services.

 

[Allyance]

I slipped on a very slippery sidewalk in an old pair of Crocs with worn soles, landed flat on my back. Didn't notice the detection right away, but it worked as designed. I also triggered it, clapping at my cat! Fall is detected by an accelerometer, could very well be your fall down a set of stairs was more of a rolling or tumbling action rather that a hard hit, still wise for having checked out. I got my watch because a crash on my bike might mean I couldn't get my iPhone out of my pocket.

 

[Howard2k]

It seems to me that you need to fall to test it. But it can be a controlled fall, not a "chaotic" fall. Fall, stay still, see what happens.

 

[MisterSavage]

I'm glad you're ok. Unfortunately I got a demo of this feature when I was on a walk with my mom when she was visiting.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Only set mine off once. Hitting the tree stump I was trying to dig out. I’m not very accident prone.

 

[artfossil]

I also triggered it, clapping at my cat!

Me too! I’m guessing because one’s arms go out when one falls?

In any case, most times my Watch has correctly detected a fall. I’m very grateful for this feature.

 

[Pierre535]

If Apple support diagnostic says the watch is ok, what’s the problem? And du you think Tim Cook, head of one of the biggest corporations in the world really has time to read and answer your emails. It works get over it and move on!

 

[jaybar]

e

If Apple support diagnostic says the watch is ok, what’s the problem? And du you think Tim Cook, head of one of the biggest corporations in the world really has time to read and answer your emails. It works get over it and move on!

except I had a serious fall down a flight of stairs. You think that would have activated the watch. BTW your response was most unhelpful and in my opinion, rude.

 

[cwosigns]

e

except I had a serious fall down a flight of stairs. You think that would have activated the watch. BTW your response was most unhelpful and in my opinion, rude.

But what do you expect? They tested it. It passed. And they acknowledge it can’t detect every fall.

 

[jaybar]

But what do you expect? They tested it. It passed. And they acknowledge it can’t detect every fall.

@cwosigns, I wonder how you would react if you somersaulted down a flight of stairs and your watch did nothing?

 

[wilberforce]

My wife has fallen twice and the fall detection worked both times.
She also has had a severe head-on car accident and the airbags did not activate (she broke her neck and had to be airlifted for emergency surgery, almost died.)
So in my experience, Apple fall detection works and airbags don't.
The reality is that both work most of the time, but not always. They are still a benefit to life safety.

 

[GeekyGrannie]

On a more serious note: My fall detection triggered once or twice over the last 2 years, when I hit something quite hard with the hand I was wearing the watch on. Maybe you could reproduce something like that somehow....

While sitting on the sofa I accidently triggered it this way: I had my watch arm resting on several pillows beside me. When something unexpected happened on the TV show I was watching, I slapped my arm down hard on the pillows and it triggered the fall detection.

 

[cwosigns]

@cwosigns, I wonder how you would react if you somersaulted down a flight of stairs and your watch did nothing?

I fell hard on Saturday night on a sidewalk. Skinned both knees and hands are skinned and bruised. My watch either didn't detect it, or detected it but since I got up immediately it didn't ask if I was okay or attempt to call 911. So you don't have to wonder how I would react if I fell and my watch "did nothing" because this is exactly how I would react.

Since you're well enough to be on here kvetching about your experience, I'm assuming your watch functioned as designed.

 

[bob_zz123]

I'm not sure that anyone can really answer the question, OP. Not wanting to sound rude, but if Apple Support say the diagnostic passed and if the guidance says it will not detect all falls, then I think that's probably the best you're going to get. I mean, what else can they tell you? It sounds like what you are asking them to do is predict the future and assure you that the Watch won't miss another detection. Well, it might, because there is always the potential for it to not detect a fall. It even says that. If you want something to detect every fall, 100% of the time, without fail, without risk that it won't, then to be frank, the Apple Watch is the wrong product for you. Is it unfortunate that it doesn't detect every fall, 100%? Sure. Does it mean that the Watch is faulty? No.

Sorry if this sounds harsh. I'm just not sure what response you're expecting.