To turn off Maps turn alerts on Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch, tap Maps, and switch off the travel types you don’t want alerts for, such as Driving. Your watch then stops tapping your wrist and playing tones before each turn for that type of trip.
Turn alerts are set separately for driving, walking, and cycling, so you can keep the wrist taps for walks and turn them off in the car. If you want the watch to stop showing directions entirely, end the route or turn off Maps notifications.
Quick Answer
iPhone Watch app > My Watch > Maps > turn off the toggle for each trip type under the alerts section.
Turn Off Turn Alerts in the Watch App
- Open the Watch app on the iPhone paired with your Apple Watch.
- Tap the My Watch tab at the bottom.
- Scroll down and tap Maps.
- Under the alerts section, turn off Driving, Walking, Cycling, or any combination. Newer versions may also list a separate option for driving with a car display.
The change applies right away, even in the middle of a route. Apple’s Get directions on Apple Watch guide lists the same trip types.
What the Turn Alerts Mean
| Alert | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Low tone, then high tone | Turn right |
| High tone, then low tone | Turn left |
The tones come with taps on your wrist. Some people turn alerts off because they’re hard to tell apart. Learning the pattern can make them useful again, especially on foot.
Other Ways to Quiet Maps on Your Watch
- Silent mode: Swipe up (or press the side button on newer watchOS) to open Control Center and turn on Silent Mode. You’ll still feel taps, but won’t hear tones.
- End the route: In Maps on your iPhone or watch, tap End when you no longer need directions.
- Turn off Maps notifications: In the Watch app, go to My Watch > Notifications > Maps and choose Notifications Off. This stops Maps from showing other Maps alerts on the watch as well.
Troubleshooting
- Alerts still come through: Make sure you changed the right trip type. A drive started as “Cycling” uses the cycling setting.
- No Maps option in the Watch app: Update your iPhone and watch, then check that the Maps app is installed on your iPhone. Maps settings only appear when it’s installed.
- Directions don’t appear on the watch at all: The watch shows directions only when it’s unlocked on your wrist and connected to your iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn alerts off from the watch itself?
The per-trip settings are in the Watch app on your iPhone. On the watch, Silent Mode or ending the route are the quickest options.
Does this affect navigation on my iPhone?
No. Your iPhone still gives spoken directions. Only the watch alerts change.
Summary
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Go to My Watch > Maps.
- Turn off alerts for driving, walking, or cycling.
- Use Silent Mode or end the route for a quick fix.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.