Apple Watch users now have greater control over their alerts with the latest software update, watchOS 11.4. A key feature of this release allows audible alarms to sound even when Silent mode is activated.
Alongside this significant enhancement, the update introduces new emoji, resolves an issue with watch face switching, and expands Home app compatibility to include robot vacuum cleaners.
The ability to maintain Silent mode while still benefiting from audible alarms addresses a long-standing user preference.
Many Apple Watch wearers choose to keep their devices in Silent mode, relying on haptic feedback for notifications from emails and messaging apps like WhatsApp. This preference avoids disruptive sounds, particularly in settings such as theaters.
However, the consistent use of Silent mode previously meant that alarms set on the Apple Watch would also be silent, relying solely on wrist vibrations for waking users.
While the tactile alert is often effective and allows for a less disruptive wake-up for a sleeping partner, some users have expressed concern about potentially sleeping through the haptic feedback, especially when particularly tired.
With the introduction of watchOS 11.4 on Wednesday, April 16th, users can now opt for a new mode when setting an alarm: Break Through Silent Mode. The description for this setting, “Sound will always play while wearing Apple Watch,” clearly indicates its function. It is important to note the condition: the watch must be worn for the audible alarm to function.
If the Apple Watch is removed before sleep, the alarm will remain haptic-only. It is worth noting that even with haptic feedback alone, the vibrations of a watch placed on a surface like a wooden nightstand can sometimes generate considerable noise.
This new audible alarm option is configurable for each individual alarm, offering maximum flexibility. For example, a user could set a silent alarm for 6:30 a.m. and a backup audible alarm for 7:00 a.m.
Beyond the alarm enhancements, watchOS 11.4 also brings seven new emoji, mirroring those recently introduced in iOS 18.4 for the iPhone. Among these additions is a particularly relatable face with bags under its eyes, alongside a fingerprint, a leafless tree, a root vegetable, a harp, a shovel, and a splatter.
These new emoji are now accessible within the Apple Watch emoji keyboard, ensuring users have immediate access to a shovel image, should the need arise.
For users with robot vacuum cleaners compatible with the Matter platform, watchOS 11.4 enables voice control via Siri. A simple command such as, “Hey, Siri, clean the living room,” spoken to the watch can now instruct the robot vacuum to begin cleaning.
Furthermore, the update addresses a previous issue where switching between watch faces could, for some users, result in watch faces becoming unavailable.
These updates, while seemingly minor, represent valuable additions to the Apple Watch’s functionality. They are compatible with a wide range of Apple Watch models running watchOS 11.4, from the latest Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 10, extending back to the Series 6 and the second-generation Apple Watch SE.
