watchOS 9.4 Will Prevent You From Accidentally Silencing Your Apple Watch's Alarm While Sleeping

watchOS 9.4 includes a change that will prevent Apple Watch users from accidentally turning off their alarm while sleeping, according to Apple's release notes for the software update, which is in the final stages of beta testing.

Apple Watch Wake Up Alarm
Specifically, Apple says that a wake-up alarm set in a Sleep Focus mode will no longer be silenced with the "Cover to Mute" gesture starting with watchOS 9.4. This means if the palm of your hand happens to cover your Apple Watch's display for three seconds while sleeping, the alarm will no longer be silenced unintentionally.

watchOS 9.4 is expected to be publicly released as soon as next week. The small but useful change was highlighted on Reddit earlier today.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...

Top Rated Comments

TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
38 months ago
It's about time but I don't sleep with my Apple Watch Ultra strapped onto my wrist.

How do people go to sleep with their Apple Watch on? I need mine to be charged every night.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
stiligFox Avatar
38 months ago
Oh this is amazing! About time - I would disable my alarm in my sleep at least once every couple weeks!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Unggoy Murderer Avatar
38 months ago

With an Ultra?? I don't need to charge it daily, and I use it for min. 1-hour workout, walks, and everything else.
You could just take it off during dinner or lunch and it'll charge to 90%+ in a matter of 20–30 min.
I have the S8 and the fast charger. I wear mine all day and at night. The time I take to shower, get dried and dressed is enough time to charge from like 40% to 80-90%. Never had battery anxiety in the time I've owned it.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Paul Shields Avatar
38 months ago

I got two older AWs for cheap so I can swap to the other one when one runs out of juice.
This is what I have. One for day, one for night.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BadMacRumours Avatar
38 months ago

It's about time but I don't sleep with my Apple Watch Ultra strapped onto my wrist.

How do people go to sleep with their Apple Watch on? I need mine to be charged every night.
Charging it while showering or having dinner.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
madeirabhoy Avatar
38 months ago

It's about time but I don't sleep with my Apple Watch Ultra strapped onto my wrist.

How do people go to sleep with their Apple Watch on? I need mine to be charged every night.
when i wake up i check how much charge it has, and most days stick it on the charger and by the time ive got up and got ready and am about to leave the flat its charged.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)