Apple has introduced automatic volume adjustment in watchOS 26, a feature designed to make calls and notifications more comfortable in different environments. Instead of blasting alerts at the same level everywhere, your Apple Watch now adapts sound automatically to match your surroundings.
Apple describes the feature as: “The volume of your incoming calls and notifications now adjusts based on the ambient noise around you. For example, it’s quieter when you’re in meetings or at the library.” This makes it easier to stay connected without disturbing others, while still ensuring alerts are audible in louder places.
The option is not available on all watchOS 26 compatible watches. Automatic volume adjustment works on Apple Watch Series 9 and later, including Apple Watch Ultra 2, but it is not supported on Apple Watch SE. This makes it one of the exclusive features that take advantage of Apple’s newer hardware and sensors.
How to enable automatic volume adjustment on Apple Watch
If you are running watchOS 26 on a supported model, you can turn the feature on or off:
- Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
- Scroll down and tap Sounds & Haptics.
- Look for the option Automatic Volume Adjustment.
- Toggle it On to allow your watch to adapt volume automatically.
- You can also adjust the volume level to Default, Louder or Quieter.
Once enabled, the watch lowers the volume in quiet spaces such as meetings, offices, or libraries, and raises it again in noisier environments like streets or gyms. This reduces the need to constantly adjust alerts manually and helps protect hearing by avoiding unnecessarily loud sounds.
Automatic volume adjustment complements Apple’s existing hearing health and audio features in watchOS, such as environmental noise monitoring and headphone safety alerts. Together, these features make Apple Watch a more intelligent audio companion, adjusting not only what you hear but also how and when you hear it.
