watchOS 26 Features New Gesture to Dismiss Notifications

[MacRumors]

Apple in watchOS 26 has added a new one-handed wrist-flick gesture to easily dismiss notifications, but the gesture only works on newer Apple Watch models.

When you raise your wrist to check a notification but aren’t ready to respond, you can now simply flick your wrist – turn it over and back – to dismiss it. The quick gesture lets you dismiss notifications and incoming calls, silence timers and alarms, and return to the watch face.

It works by using the accelerometer and gyroscope in your watch, along with a machine learning model that analyzes your wrist movement. However, the functionality is limited to Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2.

The watchOS 26 interface adopts Apple's new Liquid Glass design, while Apple Intelligence powers a new Workout Buddy feature that provides personalized, spoken motivation. There's also a new layout for the Workout app, and it now offers music to listen to based on your tastes and workout type. Apple Watch now also supports Live Translation in Messages.

watchOS 26 is available for testing now through the Apple Developer Program, and a public beta will be available through the Apple Beta Software Program next month.

Article Link: watchOS 26 Features New Gesture to Dismiss Notifications

 

[Rob__Mac]

This will be so useful when I'm on my bicycle.

 

[System603]

[Y]ou can now simply flick your wrist – turn it over and back – to [...] dismiss notifications and incoming calls, silence timers and alarms, and return to the watch face.

The functionality is limited to Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2

Wow. Not a good wow, though. One might, naively, expect such a feature to work even on much older models.

 

[Kylo83]

They need to fix double tap doesn’t work to pause music or answer a call unless you lift hand up and still opens stack, it’s useless

 

[stocklen]

why is it on the series 9 and NOT on the Ultra 1?

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

However, the functionality is limited to Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2.

But of course, my series 6 is too old and weary to learn new tricks, eh Apple?

 

[woolypants]

Had a Series 0. Wore it for a while, but it was slow and I didn't like the size of it on my wrist. The glass kept getting caught on things. Notifications was cool, though, and it meant I didn't miss any calls either because I didn't realise my phone was vibrating.

Recently been getting back into fitness and if the new Watch later this year features blood pressure monitoring, as are the rumours, then I think I'll jump back in. Looks like the BP monitoring will only be vague (e.g. warnings about sudden rises or falls), but that's still useful.

And features like this wrist flick really indicate that they've got the usability about right, too.

 

[bluecoast]

They need to fix double tap doesn’t work to pause music or answer a call unless you lift hand up and still opens stack, it’s useless

I find double tap only works when the notification is on your screen.

If you double tap even half a second later it brings up the stack. It’s a shame it’s not smart enough to realise that you probably want the notification that just disappeared.

And I’m now wondering how these two gestures are meant to work together.

 

[AnonMac50]

Finally! I’ve been waiting for this since I got my Ultra 2 after upgrading from my 2015 first generation Huawei Watch. I believe this was a feature of all Android watches back then, and I believe the current Huawei watches running their own OS also have it. I’ve been subconsciously doing this gesture with the Apple Watch before remembering it doesn’t have it. Only about 10 years too late, eh.

This gesture was used to go up and down, as well as backwards and forwards. It was very useful when carrying something in one or both hands

 

[Johnny907]

Wow. Not a good wow, though. One might, naively, expect such a feature to work even on much older models.

Agreed, this is complete BS. All Apple Watch models from the series 0 have had Lift to Wake, which uses the exact same accelerometer as this feature given the gesture required to activate it. Limiting it to the 9 and newer is 100% artificial gatekeeping out of greed.

 

[spittt]

For a second there, I thought the gesture might be the middle finger.

 

[srknpower]

The best and only exciting feature of the underwhelming watchOS 26.

 

[spazzcat]

I find double tap only works when the notification is on your screen.

If you double tap even half a second later it brings up the stack. It’s a shame it’s not smart enough to realise that you probably want the notification that just disappeared.

And I’m now wondering how these two gestures are meant to work together.

Double tap is now useful. I used it both several times in the last 24 hours.

 

[Rooster 🐓]

why is it on the series 9 and NOT on the Ultra 1?

My gripe exactly, the OG AW Ultra doesn’t have an accelerometer and gyroscope???

 

[spazzcat]

Agreed, this is complete BS. All Apple Watch models from the series 0 have had Lift to Wake, which uses the exact same accelerometer as this feature given the gesture required to activate it. Limiting it to the 9 and newer is 100% artificial gatekeeping out of greed.

You should have no expectations to get new features on old hardware, and it makes sense that it is only on hardware with double tap.

 

[Focusy]

My gripe exactly, the OG AW Ultra doesn’t have an accelerometer and gyroscope???

does according to apple spec sheet....

 

[Etc_]

The animation would look better if the notification were dismissed in the same direction as the flick, not in the opposite direction.

 

[Fuzzball84]

Swipe, double tap, wrist flick

Apple customers will be roaming around soon with their limbs seemingly spasming in every direction

I just hope they don’t extend these actions to other parts of the body when they run out of limbs 🤔

 

[the future]

why is it on the series 9 and NOT on the Ultra 1?

Because S9 was released at the same time as the Ultra 2, both with a new SiP.

 

[the future]

But of course, my series 6 is too old and weary to learn new tricks, eh Apple?

Yes, it is. Same as with the double-tap gesture.

 

[the future]

My gripe exactly, the OG AW Ultra doesn’t have an accelerometer and gyroscope???

But an older SiP.

 

[dumastudetto]

why is it on the series 9 and NOT on the Ultra 1?

Ultra 1 lacks the hardware necessary to deliver a smooth and frictionless experience. You'd have to flick with more force and aggression, and that will damage your wrist in the long run.

 

[klasma]

I hope that counts towards closing exercise rings.

 

[klasma]

Double tap is now useful. I used it both several times in the last 24 hours.

FYI, coloring your text that way makes it unreadable in dark mode.

 

[svish]

Will be very useful for me. Glad to see that it is coming to my new Series 10.