To turn off Theater Mode on an Apple Watch, press the side button to open Control Center, then tap the theater masks icon (it’s orange when Theater Mode is on). The icon turns grey and the screen goes back to waking when you raise your wrist. On watchOS 9 and earlier, open Control Center by swiping up from the bottom of the watch face instead. If you can’t find the icon, it may be hidden. Tap Edit at the bottom of Control Center to show it. Here are the full steps, and how to tell Theater Mode apart from the other modes that keep your watch quiet or dark.
What Theater Mode does
Theater Mode keeps your watch dark and quiet, for cinemas, concerts and meetings. While it’s on:
- The screen stays off when you raise your wrist, and the Always On display is switched off.
- Silent Mode is turned on, so alerts don’t make a sound.
- Notifications still arrive and you still feel taps (haptics).
- A small masks icon appears at the top of the watch face.
To see the time, tap the screen or press the Digital Crown or side button.
Turn off Theater Mode (watchOS 10 and later)
- Tap the screen or press the Digital Crown to wake the watch.
- Press the side button once to open Control Center.
- Find the theater masks icon (two masks, one smiling and one frowning). It’s orange while Theater Mode is on. Scroll with the Digital Crown if you don’t see it.
- Tap it. It turns grey, and the masks disappear from the top of the watch face.
Turn off Theater Mode (watchOS 9 and earlier)
- Wake the watch and go to the watch face.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center. In apps, touch and hold the bottom edge, then swipe up.
- Tap the orange theater masks icon.
The masks icon isn’t in Control Center
- Open Control Center and scroll to the bottom.
- Tap Edit.
- Look for a hidden Theater Mode button (shown with a green +) and tap the + to add it back.
- Tap Done, then tap the masks to turn Theater Mode off.
Turn off Silent Mode as well
Theater Mode switches on Silent Mode, and after you turn Theater Mode off, the watch may still be silent. In Control Center, check the bell icon. If it’s red with a line through it, tap it to turn sound back on.
Is it Theater Mode or something else?
Several modes look similar. Here’s how to tell them apart:
| Icon at top of screen | Mode | How to turn it off |
|---|---|---|
| Two masks | Theater Mode | Tap the masks in Control Center |
| Crescent moon | Do Not Disturb (Focus) | Tap the Focus button in Control Center |
| Bed | Sleep Focus | Tap the Focus button, or turn the Digital Crown to unlock |
| Bell with a line through it | Silent Mode | Tap the bell in Control Center |
| Yellow circle | Low Power Mode | Tap the battery percentage in Control Center |
| Water drop | Water Lock | Turn the Digital Crown until the screen unlocks |
Focus modes on your iPhone can also be shared with your watch. If a moon or bed keeps reappearing, turn the Focus off on your iPhone. See how to turn off Do Not Disturb on an iPhone.
Watch screen still won’t wake?
- Go to Settings > Display & Brightness on the watch and check that Wake on Wrist Raise (or Wake Screen on older versions) is on.
- Check that Always On is turned back on if you use it.
- If the screen is magnified and hard to read, Zoom may be on. See how to turn off Zoom on Apple Watch.
- Restart the watch: hold the side button, tap the power icon, then turn it off and on again.
Turn it off from your iPhone?
The Watch app on your iPhone doesn’t have a Theater Mode switch, so you need to change it on the watch itself. Your iPhone has its own separate Silent and Focus settings. See how to put an iPhone on silent.
Turn Theater Mode back on next time
Open Control Center the same way, tap the masks, and tap Theater Mode to confirm. To check alerts while it’s on, just raise your wrist and tap the screen. A good habit is to turn it on as you sit down for a film, and set a reminder on your iPhone to turn it off afterwards, so you don’t miss calls later in the evening.
Frequently asked questions
Does Theater Mode turn off by itself?
No. It stays on until you turn it off. Unlike some Focus modes, it can’t be scheduled.
Does Theater Mode stop alarms and timers?
Alarms and timers still go off with a tap on your wrist, but because Silent Mode is on, they won’t make a sound.
Does Theater Mode save battery?
A little, because the screen stays off more. For bigger savings, use Low Power Mode.
Summary
- Press the side button to open Control Center (or swipe up on watchOS 9 and earlier).
- Tap the orange theater masks icon so it turns grey.
- Turn off Silent Mode if your watch is still quiet.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.