What is fall detection on a smartwatch?

Fall detection is a safety feature that automatically contacts emergency services if your smartwatch detects a hard fall. You get a notification asking if you need help — if you don't respond in 60 seconds, the watch calls 911 (or your local emergency number) and tells them your location.

Fall detection uses sensors in your smartwatch to recognize when you've had a hard fall. If your watch detects a fall, it automatically alerts emergency services and your emergency contacts — you don't have to call for help. It's designed especially for older people or anyone at risk of falling, and it works by using accelerometers and motion sensors to recognize the pattern of a sudden hard impact with the ground.