Ever wondered what the mask icon on your Apple Watch stands for? No, it’s not an emoji, it’s a feature called “theater mode”.
The Apple Watch lights up when we bring our wrists up. This can be especially distracting if you’re someone who uses its “Always On” feature.
The ‘Theater Mode’ will be more useful for you in settings where you don’t wanna be bothered by the light or sound of the watch, such as a movie theater or any other place where silence is crucial.
What Is Theater Mode On Apple Watch?
The Theater Mode on the Apple Watch is a feature that prevents the screen from lighting up every time I move my wrist or get a notification. Theater Mode activates Silent Mode, disables the “Always On” display, and disables Walkie-Talkie’s status as unavailable.
Notifications are silenced; you have haptic notifications on for calls and event notifications only, so you’ll be “disturbed” very little. It is also a great mode in that it is easy to toggle on and off without digging into settings.
How to Enable Theater Mode on Apple Watch?
To enable the Theater Mode on your Apple Watch, press the side button to access the Control Center of the watch. A little scroll will reveal an icon with two theater masks. This is Theater Mode. Just tap on the icon, and it will turn a deep orange color, indicating that the Theater Mode is active.
The screen also shows the same orange icon on top to notify that the Theater Mode is active on the Watch.
How to Disable Theater Mode on Apple Watch?
To disable the Theater Mode on your Apple Watch, either tap the screen and press the side button or the Digital Crown. Press the side button again to open the Control Center, and tap on the Theater Mode icon again to disable it.
What is the Difference Between Theater Mode, Do Not Disturb, and Silent Mode on the Apple Watch?
| Features | Theater Mode | Do Not Disturb | Silent Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notifications | Silenced | Silenced | Silenced |
| Haptic alerts | On | Off | Off |
| Always On display | Off | On | On |
| Wake on your Wrist Raise | Off | On | On |
| Alarm | On (haptics, no sound) | On (haptics with sound) | On (haptics, no sound) |
While each mode performs a little differently than the other, they all have their own use cases. Personally, I’m either an in or all-out type of person, so I either leave my Apple Watch as is or use the Theater Mode almost every night before I sleep.
This ensures I don’t wake up in the middle of the night because a bright light got caught in my eye or my friends are sending me reels on Instagram at 3 in the morning, causing a slew of notifications on my watch. It also makes my battery last a lot longer.
Wrap Up
The Theater Mode is a great way to silence the Apple Watch and its notifications for a little while without having to dive into multiple settings.
I have used it in multiple settings, especially during meetings and presentations, before I hit the bed to not disturb my sleep, and during my yoga and pilates sessions to keep me from getting distracted by the notifications. The Theater Mode is probably the most underrated feature of the Apple Watch that I hope more people will use.
