How to Set Up Fall Detection on Apple Watch

Enable and configure Apple Watch fall detection to automatically call emergency services when a hard fall is detected. Works on Series 4 and later.

1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone. Launch the Watch app from your iPhone's home screen. Ensure your Apple Watch is connected and appears at the top of the screen. If you see 'My Watch' at the bottom, tap it to access watch settings.
2. Navigate to Emergency SOS settings. Scroll down in the My Watch tab until you find 'Emergency SOS'. Tap on it to open the emergency features configuration. This section controls all emergency-related functions including fall detection.
3. Enable Fall Detection. Find the 'Fall Detection' toggle switch and tap it to turn it on. If you're 65 or older, this feature is automatically enabled when you set up your watch. The toggle will turn green when activated.
4. Configure emergency contacts. Tap 'Set up Emergency Contacts in Health' to add people who will be notified if a fall is detected. Select contacts from your phone or add new ones. These contacts receive your location and a message when fall detection activates.
5. Test the alert system. Your watch will now monitor for hard falls during workouts and daily activities. If a fall is detected, the watch waits 60 seconds for you to respond. Tap 'I'm OK' if you're fine, or let it automatically call emergency services if you don't respond.
6. Adjust sensitivity if needed. Return to Emergency SOS settings to fine-tune fall detection if you experience false alarms. You can temporarily disable it for specific workouts through the Workout app by scrolling to the end of workout types and selecting workout-specific settings.