How to Use Theater Mode on the Apple Watch

[MacRumors]

First introduced in watchOS 3.2, Theater Mode is a simple but useful feature that's designed to prevent the Apple Watch's screen from activating when you raise your wrist.

It's useful in situations where the bright screen can be a distraction, such as a movie or a play, and it's also useful for those who like to sleep with their Apple Watches.

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Activating Theater Mode

Theater Mode is available as an option in the Apple Watch Control Center, so toggling it on and off is simple.

1. Raise your wrist to activate the Apple Watch screen or press the Digital Crown.
2. Swipe up from the bottom of the Apple Watch to bring up Control Center.
3. Swipe up again to access the icon that looks like a pair of theater masks.
4. Tap the masks.
5. A screen will pop up explaining theater mode. Tap again to activate it.

While Theater Mode is active, you'll see an the icon at the top of the Apple Watch whenever you view the screen. To turn it off, open up the Control Center again and tap the Theater Mode button.

How Theater Mode Works

When Theater Mode is enabled, the screen will remain dark when you raise your wrist instead of lighting up. It will also stay dark when a notification is received, but you'll still know if you get an incoming text or other alert because haptic feedback remains on.

Accessing Notifications While Theater Mode is On

You'll continue to get a tap whenever there's an incoming notification when Theater Mode is turned on, and to view it, you'll need to press the Digital Crown or tap on the screen.

Tapping, pressing the Digital Crown, or pressing the side button is also how you check the time when Theater Mode is enabled.

Article Link: How to Use Theater Mode on the Apple Watch

 

[CarlJ]

Good, now I won't get beat up in theaters any more.

 

[bigjnyc]

This is great for when I am trying to get my 3 year old to go to sleep, I lay down with him but the watch screen keeps lighting up and distracting him from falling asleep (not that he needs much distraction)... Anyway that's what I'll be using it for since having a 3 year old doesn't allow for much time to go to the theater

 

[Porco]

This is a great feature, should have been in from the start I think, but better late than never.

[....] and it's also useful for those who like to sleep with their Apple Watches.

I mean I do really like my Apple Watch, but...

 

[Mike Oxard]

If you work a job that causes the screen to come on all the time unintentionally (e.g. Work on a checkout) this could give you loads of battery life back.

 

[MordechaiCarver]

Sooooooooo, how's this different than turning off "Wake Screen on Wrist Raise?"


EDIT: Nevermind...wasn't thinking. I know, it keeps screen blank no matter what. Gotta process before replying next time.

 

[Switched2aMac]

Anyone know what the water droplet icon is on the Notification screen? I don't have that. I have the first gen watch if that helps.

Edit: Never mind a quick google search found it

 

[C DM]

Anyone know what the water droplet icon is on the Notification screen? I don't have that. I have the first gen watch if that helps.

Seems like water lock that is only available for series 2: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205550

 

[NeuralControl]

I'm glad to see this feature on the watch, and I know it will come in handy at times. Looking forward to installing the update.

 

[Switched2aMac]

Seems like water lock that is only available for series 2: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205550

Thanks, I found it after I did a quick Google search.

 

[44267547]

I'm glad to see this feature on the watch, and I know it will come in handy at times. Looking forward to installing the update.

Essentially it's a quicker way of deactivating raise to wake without rummaging through your settings. It's more of a convenience factor.

 

[C DM]

Essentially it's a quicker way of deactivating raise to wake without rummaging through your settings. It's more of a convenience factor.

Well, seems like it does somewhat more than what that setting on its own does:

Sooooooooo, how's this different than turning off "Wake Screen on Wrist Raise?"


EDIT: Nevermind...wasn't thinking. I know, it keeps screen blank no matter what. Gotta process before replying next time.

 

[jonnysods]

I'm happy about this feature. It's not just the movies where I don't need my watch to light up.

 

[tzm41]

This is great for when I am trying to get my 3 year old to go to sleep, I lay down with him but the watch screen keeps lighting up and distracting him from falling asleep (not that he needs much distraction)... Anyway that's what I'll be using it for since having a 3 year old doesn't allow for much time to go to the theater

I mean... You could have taken your watch off before your child falls asleep...

 

[neutralguy]

Why call it "theater mode" instead of "don't disturb" mode? "Theater mode" sounds very ridiculous for such a small display!

 

[alphaod]

My watchOS still says 3.1.3 is current.

 

[makr]

Why call it "theater mode" instead of "don't disturb" mode? "Theater mode" sounds very ridiculous for such a small display!

Do not disturb still exist and it's different than this mode. When you activate do not disturb notifications will be stopped until it's off. Theater mode will not stop your watch to vibrate for notifications, but it will not turn on the screen by your wrist movement and notifications.

 

[Mlrollin91]

Do not disturb still exist and it's different than this mode. When you activate do not disturb notifications will be stopped until it's off. Theater mode will not stop your watch to vibrate for notifications, but it will not turn on the screen by your wrist movement and notifications.

Not only that, it will also put your watch on mute and then un-mute when turning off theater mode. Very handy. I can't tell you how many times I look at my watch when at a movie when I feel a vibration, even accidentally. Then I have to quickly hide the screen under my shirt to prevent it from bothering others.

 

[jonnysods]

My watchOS still says 3.1.3 is current.

Update your phone first.

 

[341328]

This update is pretty rubbish. Not many new features (more then 1 music playlist would be good).

 

[C DM]

Why call it "theater mode" instead of "don't disturb" mode? "Theater mode" sounds very ridiculous for such a small display!

Not quite the meaning of theater that is involved there.
[doublepost=1490676295][/doublepost]

This update is pretty rubbish. Not many new features (more then 1 music playlist would be good).

Not having that many features or features that someone specifically wants doesn't really make something "rubbish" just because of that.

 

[strayts]

This is a great feature, should have been in from the start I think, but better late than never.



I mean I do really like my Apple Watch, but...

Kinda like picture messaging, along with copy and paste, in iOS?

 

[44267547]

I'm happy about this feature. It's not just the movies where I don't need my watch to light up.

For me, I always had raise to wake deactivated. Either I press the digital crown or tap the screen to wake it up. Even though I see the point of theater mode, it wouldn't make much of a difference to me with the display lighting up, being I always had that deactivated.

I do certainly think this is more of a shortcut and a quicker option at that.
[doublepost=1490682591][/doublepost]

Well, seems like it does somewhat more than what that setting on its own does:

Your post is worded awkwardly. I'm not following your post here CDM. Essentially, raise to wake and silent mode are invoked with Theatre Mode, versus having to dabble through settings to disable Raise to wake. It's merely a short cut, with a new feature from the home screen.

 

[C DM]

For me, I always had raise to wake deactivated. Either I press the digital crown or tap the screen to wake it up. Even though I see the point of theater mode, it wouldn't make much of a difference to me with the display lighting up, being I always had that deactivated.

I do certainly think this is more of a shortcut and a quicker option at that.
[doublepost=1490682591][/doublepost]

Your post is worded awkwardly. I'm not following your post here CDM. Essentially, raise to wake and silent mode are invoked with Theatre Mode, versus having to dabble through settings to disable Raise to wake. It's merely a short cut, with a new feature from the home screen.

I was using another post about the same thing essentially to point out that it is more than simply disabling raise to wake (as was suggested in your earlier reply).

 

[44267547]

I was using another post about the same thing essentially to point out that it is more than simply disabling raise to wake (as was suggested in your earlier reply).

My apologies. That makes sense why my post was on top and the other forum members post was on the bottom. Thanks.