In the recent WWDC, Apple announced tonnes of small and big features, but none can match the relevancy and privation of the handwashing ability of watchOS 7, while the world is suffering from a huge pandemic. Imagine a situation, where you just arrived from work, starving to death, and your mom/wife reminds you to wash hands. Even though, everyone knows that WHO recommends at least washing the hands for 20 seconds, however, due to outrageous craving, we don’t count the seconds and turn off the tap within 10 seconds. Here comes the watchOS 7 Handwashing feature comes into the picture, Apple Watch will automatically start a countdown for up to 20 seconds, to let you know, when its time. If you haven’t enabled the handwashing on Apple Watch yet, here’s our detailed article on it.
On top of that, Apple Watch sends alert if you forget to wash your hands even after being home, within a few minutes of arriving, isn’t it great? However, some people find it irritating whilst few are happy with it. It uses Location Services, to detect your exact location, and sends reminders to wash hands. This short tutorial will show you how to turn off or turn on handwashing notifications on Apple Watch watchOS 7.
Enable/Disable Handwashing Notifications on Apple Watch
How to Turn On Handwashing Detection on Apple Watch
By default, the handwashing detection is disabled, at first, enable the handwashing on Watch, after updating it to the watchOS 7. And then, proceed with the steps.
- Go to the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
- Find the Handwashing, tap on it.
- Toggle On Timer.
- Also, enable Haptics, which is optional.
How to Turn On/Off Handwashing Notifications on Apple Watch
Make sure to turn on the Handwashing detection from the above procedure, before turning on the Handwashing notifications on Apple Watch.
- On your iPhone, launch the Watch
- Tap My Watch
- Go to Handwashing
- Toggle ON/OFF Handwashing Reminders.
Fix Handwashing Notifications Not Working on Apple Watch
It’s very rare, but if you’re experiencing issues with the handwashing notifications on Apple Watch, here are a few troubleshooting to deal with it. Not to mention, also verify the Handwashing Reminders option is enabled, and then only follow the solutions below.
#1. Force Restart Apple Watch
Restarting the Apple Watch is always been the top-notch suggestion, to override random problems with Watch. The same should be done when handwashing reminders stopped working.
- Press and hold the Digital Crown and Power/Side button until you see the Apple Logo.
#2. Toggle OFF/ON Handwashing Detection
Doing this will refresh the Apple Watch’s handwashing detection function. In addition, restart the watch too.
- Unlock the Apple Watch.
- Launch the Settings
- Scroll down to Handwashing, and tap on it.
- Turn Off Handwashing.
- Restart the Apple Watch.
- Again follow steps 1-3 and turn on Handwashing.
#3. Be Sure to Enable Location Services, if Handwashing Reminder is Grayed Out
It must be noted that, if you are using Handwashing Notifications aka Handwashing Reminders, Location Services should be enabled. This way, Apple Watch will track your exact location, and on that basis, Watch will send you notifications to wash hands when you return at your home or office location whatever you have set up.
- Navigate to the Settings app on your iPhone to which the Apple Watch is paired.
- Tap Privacy.
- Go to Location Services.
- Locate Handwashing, and tap on it.
- Select Always.
- Turn Toggle ON Precise Location.
