The Apple Watch Series 4 and higher (up to Apple Watch 7) feature fall detection. The Apple Watch SE also includes this function to detect a fall, allowing you to call a contact or emergency services with a single button press.
Apple Watch Models with Fall Detection
| Fall Detection | |
|---|---|
| Series 7 | ✔️ |
| Series 6 | ✔️ |
| Series SE | ✔️ |
| Series 5 | ✔️ |
| Series 4 | ✔️ |
| Series 3 | ❌ |
| Series 2 | ❌ |
Calling 999 if You Don’t Respond
If you fall and remain motionless for more than 1 minute, the Apple Watch will automatically call 999. This requires your Apple Watch to be connected to your iPhone.
However, if you use an Apple Watch Cellular (4G) with an active data plan, you won’t need your iPhone nearby.
Fallen but Uninjured
The Apple Watch might occasionally misdetect a fall or you may fall without injury. In such cases, press the "I’m OK" button on the Apple Watch to indicate you’re fine, preventing calls to contacts or 999.
Most Accurate Detection on the Apple Watch 7
Fall detection debuted with the Apple Watch 4 but initially fell short of expectations. Many users reported falls going undetected.
It also occasionally triggered emergency calls without cause. Over time, by the Apple Watch 7, fall detection has evolved into a valuable support tool for the elderly and disabled. If fall detection is crucial for you, the Apple Watch 7 offers the most advanced version.
Enable Fall Detection First
Fall detection isn’t enabled by default if you’ve set your age as under 65 in the Health app. For those over 65, it activates automatically.
How to Enable Fall Detection on Apple Watch
- Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone.
- Select "My Watch" at the bottom.
- Tap "Emergency SOS."
- Toggle fall detection on or off.
Fall detection is automatically enabled during workouts, even if you’re under 65. You can disable it in the Emergency SOS settings.
Protecting Your Apple Watch from Falls
To prevent scratches from falls or bumps, equip your Apple Watch with a screen protector. Check out our durable Apple Watch straps to keep your watch secure during a fall.
Does Fall Detection Drain Battery?
Fall detection doesn’t consume extra battery unless triggered. If you don’t fall, it uses the same power as when disabled. Only upon a fall does it draw additional energy, which is worthwhile in that scenario.
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