Live Activities Taking Over the Apple Watch [Easy Fix]

If your Apple Watch constantly displays ongoing sports scores, ride tracking updates, food delivery timers, or other real-time notifications, you are likely dealing with Live Activities. While this feature is designed to keep you informed at a glance, it can sometimes feel overwhelming when it dominates your watch screen.

Many users of the Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra have reported that Live Activities take over their display, making it harder to check the time, access complications, or use other apps comfortably. The issue usually happens after installing the latest version of watchOS or updating to a newer iPhone running iOS 17 or later.

Live Activities are interactive, real-time notifications introduced with iOS 16 and enhanced in later updates. They appear on your iPhone Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island on supported models. On Apple Watch, they show up inside the Smart Stack and can appear automatically when an app is running an ongoing activity.

For example, when using ride-sharing apps, food delivery services, sports tracking apps, or timers, your Apple Watch may prioritize showing that activity. Instead of your usual watch face, the system may automatically switch to display the live content.

While this can be helpful in certain situations, it becomes frustrating when the feature constantly overrides your preferred watch face.

Why Live Activities Take Over the Apple Watch Face?

There are several reasons why this happens.

First, Smart Stack prioritizes active sessions. When an app sends continuous updates, watchOS assumes it is important and surfaces it automatically.

Second, after major updates to watchOS 10 or later, some settings may reset. This can enable automatic Live Activity display even if you previously disabled it.

Third, certain apps are configured to push aggressive Live Activities. Sports, navigation, and delivery apps often default to showing updates instantly.

Lastly, syncing between your iPhone and Apple Watch can re-enable Live Activities even if you turned them off on one device but not the other.

Live Activities Taking Over the Apple Watch: Easy Fix

If Live Activities are taking over your Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to Smart Stack or Live Activities settings, and turn off automatic display for specific apps. You can also disable Live Activities directly from the Lock Screen settings on your iPhone. Restart your watch after making changes to apply the fix completely.

Let’s explore the steps in detail!

Step 1: Disable Live Activities from iPhone Settings

The most reliable fix starts on your iPhone because Live Activities are controlled primarily through iOS.

Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Scroll down and tap Face ID and Passcode or Touch ID and Passcode, depending on your device. Enter your passcode to continue.

Scroll until you see the section labeled Live Activities. Toggle off the Live Activities switch completely if you want to stop them system-wide.

If you do not want to disable them entirely, scroll back and instead go to Notifications. Choose a specific app that keeps taking over your Apple Watch. Tap the app and turn off the option for Live Activities.

This ensures that a particular app will no longer push ongoing activity updates to your Apple Watch.

Once finished, restart your iPhone to ensure the changes sync properly.

Step 2: Adjust Smart Stack Settings on Apple Watch

Your Apple Watch uses Smart Stack to determine which widgets and activities appear automatically.

On your Apple Watch, press the Digital Crown to open the app list. Tap Settings. Scroll down and select Smart Stack.

Inside Smart Stack settings, look for the Live Activities option. If available, turn off Allow Live Activities.

You may also find an option labeled Auto Launch Live Activities. Disable this setting so activities do not automatically take over your screen.

If you are using a newer model like Apple Watch Series 9, this setting is especially important because the device prioritizes contextual information more aggressively.

After making changes, return to your watch face and observe whether Live Activities continue appearing without your interaction.

Step 3: Disable Background App Refresh for Problematic Apps

Some apps continuously refresh in the background, which triggers Live Activities repeatedly.

Open the Watch app on your iPhone. Tap General. Select Background App Refresh.

Review the list of apps and turn off Background App Refresh for any app that frequently sends Live Activities, such as sports tracking, delivery, or travel apps.

This limits the ability of those apps to push real-time updates to your Apple Watch.

While this does not disable Live Activities directly, it reduces the frequency at which they appear.

Step 4: Turn Off Smart Stack Auto Launch Feature

In watchOS 10, Apple introduced an Auto Launch feature for Smart Stack.

On your Apple Watch, open Settings. Tap Smart Stack. Locate Auto Launch Live Activities.

Disable the toggle next to Auto Launch Live Activities. This prevents the watch from switching to an active session automatically.

Now, Live Activities will only appear if you manually scroll to the Smart Stack using the Digital Crown.

This single adjustment often solves the issue entirely for most users.

Step 5: Update watchOS and iOS

Sometimes Live Activities behave incorrectly due to minor software bugs.

On your iPhone, open Settings. Tap General. Select Software Update. Install the latest version of iOS if available.

Next, open the Watch app. Tap General. Select Software Update and update to the latest version of watchOS.

Apple frequently improves Smart Stack behavior and Live Activities management in newer updates.

After updating both devices, restart them to refresh system processes.

Step 6: Remove Specific App Complications from the Watch Face

Certain complications can encourage frequent Live Activity updates.

Press and hold your watch face. Tap Edit. Swipe to the Complications section.

Remove complications associated with apps that trigger Live Activities often.

Reducing app presence on your watch face can minimize automatic activity prompts.

Step 7: Restart or Reset Apple Watch If Necessary

If Live Activities still take over your screen, perform a simple restart.

Press and hold the side button. Slide to power off. Wait 30 seconds. Turn it back on.

If the issue persists, you may need to unpair and re-pair your Apple Watch through the Watch app on your iPhone.

Unpairing resets system preferences and often resolves stubborn Smart Stack behavior.

Make sure to back up your data before performing this step.

Questions & Answers

Why do Live Activities keep appearing even after I disable them

This usually happens if they are still enabled for specific apps under Notifications settings. Double-check both system-wide Live Activities and individual app permissions.

Can I completely remove Live Activities from Apple Watch?

Yes. By disabling Live Activities under iPhone Lock Screen settings and turning off Auto Launch in Smart Stack, you can effectively prevent them from appearing.

Do Live Activities drain battery on Apple Watch?

Yes, continuous real-time updates can increase battery usage. Disabling unnecessary Live Activities may improve battery life.

Are Live Activities the same as notifications

No. Live Activities provide ongoing, real-time updates rather than single alerts. They remain active until the activity ends.

Will turning off Background App Refresh stop Live Activities

It reduces them but may not eliminate them. You should disable Live Activities directly for a complete fix.