I just upgraded to Apple watch software 26.1.0. Maybe it is me, but it seems like my Ultra 2 watch is talking every time I move my hand or arm. I have turned off as many auto talking settings that I can find. Is anyone else having this issue with the Ultra or any of the other apple watches with the new software version?
Comments
Check settings
Turn off settings that when you rase arm it turn itself on.
What setting are you referencing
Not sure which setting you are refering to. I turned off raised to speak in siri, I turned off twist wrist, and there was one other in there. Can you tell me how to get to the setting you mentioned in your post.
Speak on Wake
Based on your original post, my immediate thought is that the "Speak on Wake" setting somehow got enabled. If you haven't already, go to Accessibility> VoiceOver, and scroll down to the "Speak on Wake" option and make sure it is turned off.
Michael Hansen
Thinking the same, iOS 26, turn some settings on and others off. Nuts. Long live cats. I was thinking of the first one and the one Michael mention.
Turn Off Raise To Wake
Hi there,
Another setting that could be causing your watch to speak quite a lot is "raise to wake" found under display settings.
Hope this helps.
How I Reduced Extra VoiceOver Chatter on the Apple Watch Ultra 2
Thanks to all for the responses. Using chatgpt I was able to get things working
I wanted to share a quick set of steps that helped reduce how much my Apple Watch Ultra 2 was talking while still keeping VoiceOver on. The watch was speaking every time I moved my wrist or got a notification, and these settings made a big difference.
On the Apple Watch:
1. Press the Digital Crown and open Settings.
2. Go to Accessibility → VoiceOver.
o Speak On Wake: Off
o Sleep on Wrist Down: On
o (Optional) Speak Hints: Off, if you want fewer instructional prompts.
3. Go back to Settings → Clock.
o Speak Time: Off
4. Go to Settings → Siri.
o Announce Notifications (or Siri Responses, depending on watchOS version): Off
Optional Fine-Tuning (On the iPhone):
1. Open the Watch app.
2. Tap Notifications.
3. Review apps that speak often and turn off Announce where it isn’t needed.
After doing this, VoiceOver is still fully usable, but the constant automatic talking has stopped. The watch is much quieter and more comfortable to use throughout the day.
Hope this helps someone else dealing with the same issue.
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If you'd like, I can also write a shorter “one-paragraph summary” version for replies in threads.
Reducing Extra VoiceOver Talking on the Apple Watch Ultra 2
I recently adjusted a few settings on my Apple Watch Ultra 2 to cut down on how much it speaks automatically while still keeping VoiceOver active. These steps may help if your watch is talking too much whenever you move your wrist or wake the screen.
On the Apple Watch
1. Press the Digital Crown to go to the Home screen.
2. Open Settings.
3. Go to Accessibility.
4. Select VoiceOver.
Inside VoiceOver settings:
• Speak On Wake:
Turn this off. (This was already off on my watch)
This stops the watch from talking every time the screen wakes up.
• Speak on Wake depending on watchOS version):
Turn this off. (this was already off for my watch.
This prevents the watch from speaking when you lift your wrist.
• Sleep on Wrist Down:
Make sure this is on, so the watch quiets itself again when you lower your arm.
• Speak Hints (optional):
If you want fewer instructional prompts, turn Speak Hints off.
This reduces extra explanation chatter while navigating.
Adjusting Notifications (Optional)
If you still hear a lot of announcements:
1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Go to Notifications.
3. Review the apps that speak often and turn off Announce Notifications where you don’t need them.
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After making these changes, VoiceOver stays available when I need it, but the constant automatic talking has stopped. The watch is much quieter and easier to live with day-to-day.
Dennis D
Glad that it is working for you. Hoping to get the 11 after Christmas. Hope it will work when it is plug. Now my 9 does not make sound when charging. OS 26 broke it for me. Long live cats.
i love cinema mode
hi Folks, i know this is solved but i just withanted to add that i use cinema mode a lot as it stops all kinds of accidental gestures from triggering the screen and then vo.
i started using it when i starting wearing my watch to sleep as vo would always wake me up with some noise.
then i realized that it was also useful to focus during the day and now only turn it off when i want the hourly chime.
the thing is that i do often like the raise to speak and all that stuff, but when it gets annoying i use cinema mode.
i am actually hoping to find a way to do a little automation so that it turns off by itself at a time of day or after a set period of time - but not there yet
Theater mode nice option
I did not think of the theater mode. You call it cinema mode. I think that is what you were referencing, anyway my watch says theater mode. I think this is a great alternative for silencing the watch. It seems that when it is turned on, then the watch will respond to touches and let me know a call is coming through but will not talk unless I touch the watch screen, crown, or button. Thanks for that. I will give it a try.