rewrite this title This new Apple Watch feature fixed my biggest notification annoyance

How many irrelevant notifications are you receiving on a given day? Too many, probably. You can flick them away with this new Apple Watch feature the tech giant debuted at its annual developer conference. 

Wrist Flick is the latest hand gesture that Apple Watch wearers can use to dismiss messages or notifications they aren’t ready to answer just yet. Debuting on WatchOS 26, the gesture, which is activated by turning the wrist, dismisses notifications, timers, alarms, incoming calls, and Siri, Apple said in its press release. 

Also: Your Apple Watch is getting a major upgrade. Here are the best features coming to Watch OS 26

Wrist Flick builds on the Apple Watch’s Double Tap feature, used for accepting calls or responding to text messages. These hand gestures allow for a nearly hands-free experience, eliminating multiple taps or two-handed dismissals. They’re great for when you’ve got your hands full with groceries or are carrying a sleeping kid in your arms and don’t want the pings around your wrist waking them.

As someone who constantly receives notifications from unused Slack channels or an endless barrage of group chat messages, I’m looking forward to using this feature to dismiss the constant pings easily.  

Also: Every Apple Watch that will get Watch OS 26

During Apple’s WWDC 2025 event on Monday, the company announced several software updates across its device lineup. One of the biggest developments is the Liquid Glass design overhaul coming to every iOS device. This design update creates a clearer and richer interface and turns the notifications, icons, and apps from opaque to clear to blend in with the device’s background display. 

Other WatchOS 26 updates I’m excited to try out include Workout Buddy, which functions like a personalized fitness coach, providing health data insights and encouragements throughout exercises logged on the Fitness app, and Notifications volume adjustments that adjust the noise level of a ping based on your environment.

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