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Apple Watch Series 4: How to enable fall detection

Be warned, though -- it's possible to accidentally trigger the safety feature.

Jason Cipriani Contributing Writer, ZDNet
Jason Cipriani is based out of beautiful Colorado and has been covering mobile technology news and reviewing the latest gadgets for the last six years. His work can also be found on sister site CNET in the How To section, as well as across several more online publications.
Jason Cipriani
Sarah Tew/CNET

The latest Apple Watch not only has a bigger display and a slightly tweaked design, but it includes some new features focused solely on keeping you healthy and safe.

Take the new fall detection feature as a prime example -- it's all about safety. Should you fall while wearing the Apple Watch Series 4, the watch will sound an alarm, tap your wrist and ask you if you're alright. 

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If the watch doesn't detect movement for "about a minute" after the fall, a 15-second countdown begins before it eventually calls emergency services, along with alerting your emergency contacts that you've fallen and are no longer moving. 

apple-watch-fall-detection
Screenshots by Jason Cipriani/CNET

If you'd like to enable fall detection, open the Watch app on your iPhone then tap Emergency SOS. Slide the switch next to Fall Detection to the On position. For users aged 65 or older who have entered their age during watch setup, or in the Health app, fall detection is automatically enabled.

Apple states it is possible to accidentally trigger fall detection if you're highly active, particularly in high-impact activities. So if you find yourself accidentally triggering fall detection, repeat the steps above to disable it.  

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