Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallSome links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Apple Watch doesn’t offer a recurring schedule in its Always On settings, but you can automate the setting with Shortcuts on the paired iPhone. Set it to change at chosen times, when a workout starts or ends, or when a Focus turns on or off. Each schedule needs an automation for both sides of the change.
These steps require an Always On-compatible Apple Watch. Apple lists Apple Watch Series 5 and later, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Ultra and later as supported; Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) does not support Always On. Low Power Mode and Theater Mode disable Always On even on a supported model. Apple’s Always On guide has the model and feature details.
What you can—and can’t—schedule
On the Watch, the documented control is Settings → Display & Brightness → Always On → Always On. It lets you turn the feature on or off and choose what remains visible while your wrist is down, including complication data, notifications, Live Activities, and apps. It does not provide a recurring start-and-end schedule. Apple Watch User Guide: Always On
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
The workaround is the iPhone’s Shortcuts app. Its automation triggers include time of day, Focus changes, and Apple Watch workouts. A Shortcuts action reference lists the Watch control as Set Always On; depending on software version or language, it may appear as Set Always On Display. Apple documents the automation framework, but not a dedicated official walkthrough for this particular action. Apple Shortcuts automation guide · Set Always On action reference
#1 Best Overall
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/416RQ0rtsUL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Always On is not the same as Wake on Wrist Raise. With Always On enabled, the face dims when your wrist is down; raising your wrist or interacting with the display brings it back to full activity. Turning the setting on does not change brightness or the content rules you have configured.
1. Schedule Always On by time of day
Best for: predictable routines such as work hours, daytime use, or turning the display off overnight. Create two automations: one to turn Always On on and another to turn it off. Apple’s Shortcuts guide describes time-of-day triggers with repeat options such as daily, weekly, or monthly.
Set up the start automation
- On the paired iPhone, open Shortcuts and tap Automation.
- Tap +, choose Time of Day, and set the start time.
- Choose the repeat schedule, such as Daily or selected weekdays.
- Choose Run Immediately if that option appears, then tap Next.
- Choose New Blank Automation or Add Action. Search for Set Always On. If it doesn’t appear, search Always On or look under the Watch actions.
- Select the Apple Watch action, set it to On, and save.
Set up the end automation
Repeat the steps with the time you want Always On to turn off, and set the action to Off. For example, turn it on at 7:00 a.m. and off at 11:00 p.m. every day, or use weekday automations for an 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. workday.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #2
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31caPPnRysL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Don’t skip either half. If you create only the on automation, the Watch stays in that last state until something else changes it. The same is true if you create only the off automation. If Shortcuts offers Notify When Run, turn it off for a quieter routine.
2. Automate Always On around workouts
Best for: people who usually keep Always On off but want a glanceable display during exercise. Apple’s Shortcuts automation guide includes Apple Watch Workout triggers that can run at the start, end, or both, and can be limited by workout type.
Turn Always On on when a workout starts
- In iPhone Shortcuts, open Automation, tap +, and choose Apple Watch Workout.
- Choose a workout type, such as Running or Cycling, or select Any Workout.
- Select Starts. Choose Run Immediately if available, then tap Next.
- Add the Apple Watch Set Always On action, set it to On, and save.
Turn it off when the workout ends
Create a second automation using the same workout type, but select Ends and set Set Always On to Off. Choosing a specific workout type can help avoid unintended changes if you sometimes start a workout by mistake.
Rank #3
![Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31YiTby0pOL._SL160_.jpg)
- GET SMARTER HEALTH INSIGHTS—Apple Watch SE 3 is an advanced health tracker that helps you better understand your body. The smartwatch sends alerts for an irregular heart rhythm, or an unusually high or low heart rate.* You can view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app,* track your sleep score, and get sleep apnea notifications.*
- A GREAT FITNESS TRACKER—SE 3 can track your workouts in a healthy number of ways—from running and strength training to simply achieving your 10K steps a day. With real-time metrics and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone,* you’ll hit your goals like never before.
- KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
- GREAT BATTERY LIFE AND FASTER CHARGING—Enjoy a smartwatch with all-day, 18-hour battery life* from sunup to sundown. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just 15 minutes.*
Apple documents the Watch Workout trigger, but that does not establish that every third-party fitness app will trigger it in the same way as Apple’s Workout app. Test your chosen app before relying on this automation. If the end trigger fails, Always On may remain enabled; check it manually under Settings → Display & Brightness → Always On.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →This is a convenience trade-off, not a battery-saving setting during exercise: the face still dims while your wrist is down, but keeping Always On enabled may use more power than turning it off. For battery management, test the routine rather than assuming a particular battery-life gain.
3. Tie Always On to a Focus or Sleep routine
Best for: routines where AOD should change alongside a scheduled Work, Personal, Fitness, or custom Focus. A Focus schedule and the Shortcuts automation are separate: the schedule controls when Focus is active, while the automation explicitly changes Always On in response.
Rank #4
![Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31Gq8SToFJL._SL160_.jpg)
- GET SMARTER HEALTH INSIGHTS—Apple Watch SE 3 is an advanced health tracker that helps you better understand your body. The smartwatch sends alerts for an irregular heart rhythm, or an unusually high or low heart rate.* You can view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app,* track your sleep score, and get sleep apnea notifications.*
- A GREAT FITNESS TRACKER—SE 3 can track your workouts in a healthy number of ways—from running and strength training to simply achieving your 10K steps a day. With real-time metrics and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone,* you’ll hit your goals like never before.
- KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
- GREAT BATTERY LIFE AND FASTER CHARGING—Enjoy a smartwatch with all-day, 18-hour battery life* from sunup to sundown. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just 15 minutes.*
Schedule the Focus
- On iPhone, open Settings → Focus.
- Choose a Focus or create one, then tap Add Schedule.
- Set its start and end times and the days it should run.
- If you want the routine reflected on the Watch, make sure the Focus is available there and that sharing settings suit your devices.
Apple’s Focus guide for Apple Watch explains scheduling and using Focus across devices.
Add automations for Focus on and off
In Shortcuts, create one automation triggered when the chosen Focus turns on and add Set Always On → Off. Create another for when that Focus turns off and add Set Always On → On. Choose Run Immediately where the interface offers it, and disable Notify When Run if you prefer not to receive a notification for each change.
For bedtime, this explicit action is more dependable than assuming Sleep Focus alone will produce the AOD result you want. Sleep display behavior can vary with Watch model, software, and Sleep settings. Apple’s Sleep and Theater Mode guide
Best Value
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41s72HIk5TL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Manual options for a quick change
To change the setting once, use Settings → Display & Brightness → Always On on the Watch. For a temporary dark-screen mode, open Control Center by pressing the Watch’s side button and tap Theater Mode. Theater Mode prevents the display from waking when you raise your wrist and silences the Watch while retaining haptic notifications. Always On is unavailable while Theater Mode is active, so it is a manual alternative—not a recurring schedule by itself. Apple: Theater Mode
You can also run compatible shortcuts on Apple Watch or expose one as a complication, if that is more convenient than opening Settings. Apple: Run shortcuts on Apple Watch
If an automation doesn’t change the display
- Confirm model support: Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) does not have Always On.
- Check the overrides: Always On is unavailable in Low Power Mode and Theater Mode. Turn those modes off to test.
- Check the action and target: The action should control the Apple Watch, not the iPhone display. Search for Always On; its exact label can vary.
- Check that the automation ran: Use a near-future time or a test Focus/workout event, then verify the Watch state.
- Check both ends: A recurring routine usually needs separate on and off automations.
- Test event triggers: Confirm the selected Focus actually turns on and off as expected, or that the workout trigger fires for the app you use.
- Check the Watch directly: Open Settings → Display & Brightness → Always On to see the current state and change it manually if needed.
Automation labels and behavior can differ across iOS and watchOS versions. Treat the steps as a setup pattern, then test that the trigger fires and the Watch changes state on your own devices.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteQuick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
