How to adjust volume and haptics on Apple Watch

Apple Watch has separate volume controls for system sounds (such as alerts, alarms, and timers), Siri, and media playback (such as music and podcasts). Adjust the volume to ensure you receive notifications and hear audio in a way that works best for you.

You can also adjust the strength of haptic feedback—the taps and vibrations Apple Watch uses for notifications, alerts, and interactions. It’s under Sounds & Haptics in the Settings app.

Here’s how to adjust volume and haptics on Apple Watch.

Adjust the volume for alerts, alarms, timers, and system sounds

1. Start the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
2. Tap Sounds & Haptics.
3. Set any of the following:
   • Silent mode: Silence all alerts.
   • Automatically adjust volume: Apple Watch can automatically change the volume for ringtones, notifications, alarms, and timers based on the ambient noise around you (available on Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and later). Turn on Automatically Adjust Volume, tap Level, and then choose Default, Louder, or Quieter.

     Note: When Automatically Adjust Volume is turned on, the volume doesn’t exceed a certain level.

   • Manually adjust volume: Turn off Automatically Adjust Volume and then adjust the volume slider (up to a maximum of 100%).
   • Headphone Safety: Turn on Reduce Loud Sounds. Adjust the maximum audio level.

You can also make these adjustments on your iPhone—go to the Apple Watch app, tap My Watch, then tap Sounds & Haptics.

Adjust the volume of Siri

While Siri is speaking, turn the Digital Crown to control the volume, or change it in Settings.

1. Start the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
2. Tap Siri, then scroll down and tap Siri Responses.
3. Scroll down to Voice Volume. Set any of the following:
   • Automatically adjust volume: Apple Watch can automatically change the volume for Siri based on the ambient noise around you (available on Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and later). Turn on Automatically Adjust Volume and tap Level and choose Default, Louder, or Quieter.

     Note: When Automatically Adjust Volume is turned on, the volume doesn’t exceed a certain level.

   • Manually adjust volume: Turn off Automatically Adjust Volume and then adjust the volume slider (up to a maximum of 100%).

You can also make these adjustments on your iPhone—go to the Apple Watch app, tap My Watch, tap Siri, then tap Siri Responses.

Adjust the volume for music and media

Turning the Digital Crown controls the volume while audio media is playing. You can change the volume in Control Center, too.

1. Press the side button to open Control Center.
2. Tap the Volume button.
3. Drag the slider to adjust the volume level.

Adjust haptic intensity

1. Start the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
2. Tap Sounds & Haptics.
3. Adjust any of the following:
   • Haptics: Set the intensity of wrist taps to Default, Prominent, or Off.
   • Crown Haptics: Turn on or off haptic feedback when you rotate the Digital Crown to scroll.
   • System Haptics: Turn on or off the haptics for system controls and interactions.

You can also make these adjustments on your iPhone—go to the Apple Watch app, tap My Watch, then tap Sounds & Haptics.

See also

• Choose alert sounds and haptics on Apple Watch
• Change notification settings on Apple Watch
• Use Focus on Apple Watch
• Use Control Center on Apple Watch