How to Turn Off Emergency Services on Apple Watch

If you want to disable emergency services on your Apple Watch, follow these steps to manage or turn off the features that automatically call emergency services or notify your emergency contacts. Note that these features are designed for safety, so proceed with caution. The process may vary slightly depending on the model and watchOS version you are using.

1. Turn Off Fall Detection
   Fall Detection is an automatic feature that detects hard falls and can alert emergency services if you do not respond. To turn this off:

   • Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone.
   • Tap My Watch at the bottom of the screen.
   • Select Emergency SOS.
   • Toggle off Fall Detection.

2. Disable Emergency SOS
   The Emergency SOS feature lets you quickly call emergency services by pressing and holding the side button. To turn it off:

   • Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone.
   • Tap My Watch.
   • Select Emergency SOS.
   • Toggle off Hold Side Button.

   Note: Disabling this will stop the Apple Watch from calling emergency services when you press and hold the side button.

3. Manage Emergency Contacts
   If you prefer not to notify your emergency contacts automatically:

   • Open the Health app on your paired iPhone.
   • Tap the Browse tab.
   • Select Health Records.
   • Tap Medical ID.
   • Toggle off Show When Locked to prevent your Medical ID from being accessed without unlocking the device.

4. Turn Off Location Services
   Emergency services use your location to provide accurate assistance. To adjust this:

   • Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
   • Tap Privacy & Security.
   • Select Location Services.
   • Find Apple Watch and adjust the settings.

5. Disable Automatic Updates
   Automatic updates can sometimes change settings. To disable them:

   • Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone.
   • Tap My Watch.
   • Select General.
   • Tap Software Update.
   • Toggle off Automatic Updates.

6. Adjust Settings for Specific Apps
   Certain third-party apps may have their own emergency features:

   • Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
   • Go to My Watch.
   • Select Installed Apps.
   • Choose the app and adjust its settings if available.

7. Review Settings Regularly
   Apple frequently updates watchOS, which may affect emergency settings. Regularly review your settings to ensure they align with your preferences.

Caution: Turning off these features can affect your safety. It is recommended to consult with family members or guardians before making these changes.

Summary: Disabling emergency services on your Apple Watch involves managing features such as fall detection, emergency SOS, and location services. Adjust settings through the Watch app on your iPhone, and regularly review them to stay updated with changes.