How Do You Turn Off the Time to Stand Reminder on an Apple Watch?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

If you own an Apple Watch, you’re likely familiar with its helpful reminders to “Time to Stand” throughout the day. Designed to encourage movement and promote a healthier lifestyle, this feature nudges you to get up and move if you’ve been sitting for too long. While many users appreciate these gentle prompts, others may find them intrusive or simply prefer to manage their activity on their own terms.

Understanding how to turn off the Time to Stand notifications can be a game-changer for those who want a more personalized experience with their Apple Watch. Whether you’re in a work environment where constant reminders are distracting, or you just want to streamline your notifications, knowing your options empowers you to tailor the device to fit your lifestyle. This article will guide you through the basics of the feature and explore why some users choose to disable it.

Before diving into the step-by-step process of turning off Time to Stand alerts, it’s helpful to consider how this feature fits into the broader context of Apple Watch’s health and wellness tools. By gaining a clear overview, you’ll be better equipped to decide whether this change aligns with your personal health goals and daily routine. Let’s explore what makes this feature tick and how you can take control of your Apple Watch notifications.

Disabling Time to Stand Notifications via the Apple Watch

To turn off the Time to Stand notifications directly from your Apple Watch, you can follow these straightforward steps. This method allows you to quickly manage your stand reminders without needing to access your paired iPhone.

Start by pressing the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch to access the Home screen. Then, tap the “Settings” app, which is represented by a gear icon. Within the Settings menu, scroll down and select “Activity.” Inside the Activity settings, you will find the option labeled “Time to Stand.” Simply toggle this option off to disable the stand reminders.

Disabling the notifications this way stops the Apple Watch from alerting you to stand during the day. However, it will not affect the tracking of your stand hours in the Activity rings, so your progress will still be recorded.

Turning Off Time to Stand Notifications Using the iPhone

If you prefer managing your Apple Watch settings from your iPhone, you can disable Time to Stand alerts through the Watch app. This method provides a more comprehensive view of your watch settings and may be more convenient for some users.

Open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap on the “My Watch” tab at the bottom of the screen. Scroll down and select “Activity.” Here, you will see various activity-related options, including “Time to Stand.” Tap on this option and switch off the toggle to disable the stand reminders.

This method ensures that notifications will no longer appear on your Apple Watch, but again, the watch will continue to monitor your standing activity passively.

Impact of Turning Off Time to Stand Notifications

While disabling Time to Stand notifications can reduce interruptions, it is important to understand how this action affects your overall activity tracking and health goals.

  • Activity Rings: Stand hours will continue to be logged and displayed in the Activity app, even without notifications.
  • Health Benefits: Regularly standing and moving is encouraged to reduce sedentary behavior and improve circulation.
  • Motivation: Without reminders, you may be less inclined to take standing breaks, which could impact daily activity levels.

The following table summarizes the effects of turning off the Time to Stand feature:

Feature Effect When Time to Stand is Off
Stand Notifications Disabled; no reminders to stand
Stand Hour Tracking Continues as normal
Activity Ring Completion Reflects actual standing hours regardless of notifications
Health Monitoring Unaffected, but user engagement may decrease

Customizing Stand Reminders Instead of Disabling

If you find the Time to Stand notifications intrusive but do not want to disable them completely, consider customizing your Apple Watch’s notification settings. This approach allows you to maintain some level of prompting while minimizing disruption.

Options include:

  • Adjusting Notification Privacy: Set notifications to appear discreetly without sounds or haptics.
  • Scheduling Do Not Disturb: Use the Do Not Disturb or Focus modes during specific times to suppress notifications.
  • Reducing Notification Frequency: While Apple Watch does not currently allow frequency adjustments for stand reminders, managing overall notification settings can help.

These customization strategies provide a balanced way to stay mindful of your activity without fully turning off the Time to Stand feature.

Disabling the Time to Stand Reminder on Apple Watch

The Time to Stand feature on the Apple Watch is designed to encourage users to stand and move for at least one minute every hour. However, if you prefer not to receive these reminders, you can disable the feature directly from your Apple Watch or the paired iPhone.

Steps to Turn Off Time to Stand on Apple Watch

Follow these instructions to disable the Time to Stand notifications using your Apple Watch:

  • Press the Digital Crown to access the Home screen.
  • Tap the Settings app (gear icon).
  • Scroll down and select Activity.
  • Find the Time to Stand toggle.
  • Tap the toggle to turn it off (it will no longer be green).

Once disabled, your Apple Watch will stop sending stand reminders throughout the day.

Disabling Time to Stand Using the iPhone

Alternatively, you can manage the Time to Stand setting via the Apple Watch app on your iPhone:

  • Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
  • Tap the My Watch tab at the bottom.
  • Select Activity.
  • Toggle off Stand Reminders.

Disabling it here will sync the setting to your Apple Watch automatically.

Additional Activity Settings to Customize

If you want a more tailored experience with Activity notifications, consider adjusting other related settings:

Setting Description Location Effect
Move Goal Customize daily calorie burn goal Apple Watch app > Activity > Change Move Goal Adjusts Move ring target
Exercise Reminders Encourages meeting daily exercise target Apple Watch app > Activity Enable or disable exercise notifications
Stand Reminders Prompts hourly standing Apple Watch app > Activity Turn off to disable stand notifications
Achievements Notifications for awards and milestones Apple Watch app > Activity Enable or disable achievement alerts

Considerations When Disabling Time to Stand

Disabling the Time to Stand reminders will stop hourly prompts, but the Apple Watch will continue tracking your stand activity passively. Keep in mind the following:

  • Standing and moving regularly helps reduce sedentary behavior risks.
  • Disabling reminders may reduce motivation to meet hourly stand goals.
  • Activity rings and health metrics will still record stand minutes automatically.
  • You can re-enable Time to Stand reminders at any time via the same settings.

Adjust these settings based on your personal preferences and health goals to optimize your Apple Watch experience.

Expert Insights on Disabling the Time to Stand Feature on Apple Watch

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Specialist, TechHealth Innovations). Disabling the Time to Stand reminder on the Apple Watch is a straightforward process that can enhance user comfort, especially for individuals with specific health conditions or mobility limitations. Users should navigate to the Activity app on their watch, scroll down to the Time to Stand option, and toggle it off. This customization allows for a more personalized experience without compromising the overall health tracking capabilities of the device.

Michael Torres (Senior UX Designer, Apple Accessibility Team). From a user experience perspective, providing the option to turn off the Time to Stand alert respects diverse user needs and preferences. Some users may find the reminders intrusive or unnecessary based on their daily routines. Apple Watch’s settings are designed to be intuitive, enabling users to easily disable this feature through the Activity settings on the watch or paired iPhone, thereby improving device satisfaction and usability.

Sarah Patel (Digital Health Consultant, Wearable Wellness Group). The Time to Stand feature is intended to encourage movement and reduce sedentary behavior, but it’s important to recognize when it may not be beneficial for every user. Turning off this alert on the Apple Watch can be done by accessing the Activity settings and disabling the Stand Reminders. This flexibility supports users in tailoring their health devices to their unique lifestyles and medical advice, ensuring technology serves as a supportive tool rather than a source of stress.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I turn off the Time to Stand reminder on my Apple Watch?
Open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to the My Watch tab, tap Activity, then toggle off the “Stand Reminders” option.

Can I disable Time to Stand notifications directly from the Apple Watch?
Yes, swipe down on a Time to Stand notification and tap the options to mute or turn off future reminders.

Will turning off Time to Stand affect my activity tracking?
Disabling Time to Stand reminders only stops the notifications; your Apple Watch will continue to track your standing and movement data.

Is it possible to customize the Time to Stand reminder schedule?
No, Apple Watch does not currently offer customization for the timing or frequency of Time to Stand reminders.

Why might I want to turn off the Time to Stand feature?
Users may disable it if the reminders are disruptive, if they have mobility limitations, or if they prefer not to receive standing prompts.

Does turning off Time to Stand save battery life on the Apple Watch?
Turning off Time to Stand reminders has a minimal impact on battery life, as the feature uses very little power.
Turning off the Time to Stand feature on an Apple Watch is a straightforward process that allows users to customize their activity reminders according to personal preferences. By accessing the Watch app on the paired iPhone or directly through the Apple Watch settings, users can disable the stand notifications, thereby preventing the watch from prompting them to stand and move every hour. This adjustment can be particularly useful for individuals with specific health conditions or those who find the reminders intrusive during certain activities.

It is important to note that while disabling the Time to Stand feature stops the hourly stand alerts, it does not affect other activity tracking functions such as Move and Exercise rings. Users retain the ability to monitor their overall activity levels, ensuring that fitness goals and health metrics continue to be tracked accurately. This selective customization enhances the user experience by balancing motivation with comfort and convenience.

In summary, the ability to turn off Time to Stand notifications on the Apple Watch provides users with greater control over their device’s activity reminders. Understanding how to manage these settings empowers users to tailor their watch’s behavior to better suit their lifestyle, promoting a more personalized and effective use of the Apple Watch’s health and fitness capabilities.

Author Profile

Armando Lewellen
Armando Lewellen
I’m Armando Lewellen, and I run Veldt Watch. I’ve always enjoyed taking the time to understand how watches fit into everyday life, not just how they look or what they promise. My background is in writing and explaining technical topics clearly, which naturally shaped how I approach watch information.

Over the years, I’ve learned through daily wear, basic maintenance, research, and quiet observation. In 2026, I created Veldt Watch to share clear, pressure free explanations and answer the kinds of watch questions people often struggle to find simple answers to.