How to turn off animation effects in messages in watchOS 9 on your Apple Watch

This section gives you step by step instructions on how to turn off Auto-Play Message Effects in watchOS 9, with pictures of the screens to help.

1. Press the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch. If your apps are displayed as icons, tap the Settings icon . If your apps are displayed in a list, scroll down and tap Settings.

2. On the Settings screen, scroll down and tap Accessibility.

3. On the Accessibility screen, tap Reduce Motion.

4. On the Reduce motion screen, tap the toggle switch for Auto-Play Message Effects to turn it off.

Note: You can play the message effects manually by tapping Replay [effect name].

5. When you are happy with your settings, you can return to the clock face by pressing the Digital Crown.