Apple Watch Not Getting Notifications? Try these fixes

Apple Watch might stay completely silent even when messages, calls, and app notifications still appear on your iPhone’s lock screen. This happens because the watch doesn’t show or tap notifications, even though it’s connected.

The most common reason is that wrist detection is turned off or not working well because the watch is too loose, there’s sweat, or it isn’t making good contact with your skin. Other reasons could be Focus modes, Notification Privacy settings, or Bluetooth connection problems.

Now that you know the causes, let’s discuss the solutions.

1. Turn Airplane Mode On and Off on Apple Watch and iPhone

Temporary communication errors between your Apple Watch and iPhone can stop notifications. Enabling, then disabling Airplane Mode on both devices can reset their connection and potentially resolve the issue. Remember, the Apple Watch will only show notifications if your paired iPhone is locked or not in use.

1. Open Settings on your Apple Watch and go to Airplane Mode.

   

2. Enable Airplane Mode by toggling the switch ON. Then head to your iPhone.
3. Open Settings on your iPhone and enable Airplane Mode.

   

4. Wait for a minute, then disable Airplane Mode on your iPhone first.
5. Now disable Airplane Mode on your Apple Watch, and check if notifications start to appear.
6. If this doesn’t help, try disabling Bluetooth on your iPhone and see if that fixes the issue.

2. Restart Your Apple Watch and Paired iPhone

Glitches between your Apple Watch and iPhone can keep notifications from showing. Restarting both devices can often resolve temporary problems.

1. Press and hold the side button on your Apple Watch until the power options appear.
2. Tap Power Off. Once the watch has turned off, turn it back on and check if the notification issue is fixed.

   

3. If the problem remains, force restart your Apple Watch by holding both the Digital Crown and Side button until you see the Apple logo.

   

4. After restarting, check if notifications are showing on your Watch.
5. If not, turn off Wi-Fi on your iPhone and restart the phone, then check your Apple Watch again.
6. If you still have the issue, turn off your iPhone, wait a minute, then turn it back on and test again.
7. If needed, try switching both devices off at the same time. Wait a minute, then turn the iPhone on first, followed by the Apple Watch.

3. Make Sure Notifications are Enabled for Apple Watch

You won’t receive notifications on your Apple Watch if notifications for it are disabled. Double-check that notifications are turned on for both your iPhone and your Watch, and make sure sound and vibration alerts are also switched on.

1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, then go to the My Watch tab.
2. Tap Notifications and ensure notifications are enabled for the app you’re having trouble with. Also, check that sound alerts are on.

   

3. Restart your Apple Watch and check if notifications now come through as expected.

If you’re only having problems with calendar events, check that calendar notifications are enabled on your iPhone as well.

4. Enable Haptic Notifications on Apple Watch

Haptic Notifications tap your wrist when a notification comes in. If this is off, you might miss alerts. Enabling Haptic Notifications can improve your chances of noticing them.

1. Open Settings on the Apple Watch and go to Sound & Haptics.

   

2. Turn on Haptic Alerts. For even stronger feedback, select Prominent.
3. Restart your Apple Watch and check if the problem is solved.

5. Turn Off Do Not Disturb (Focus) Mode

If either your iPhone or Apple Watch is in Do Not Disturb (now called Focus), notifications might be held back. Turning it off on both devices can restore notifications.

1. Open Settings on your Apple Watch and tap Focus.

   

2. Tap on your current Focus schedule or Do Not Disturb profile, then disable it.

   

3. Restart your Apple Watch and see if notifications show up now.

6. Enable “Show on Lock Screen” for iPhone Notifications

If iPhone notifications are not set to display on the lock screen, your Apple Watch might not get them either. Letting notifications appear on your lock screen could help.

1. Go to Settings on your iPhone and select Notifications.

   

2. Toggle on Show on Lock Screen and check your Apple Watch again.
3. If needed, set lock screen notifications to Always for better results.

7. Turn Off Cover to Mute on the Apple Watch

The Cover to Mute feature silences notifications if it thinks the watch is covered. Sometimes, a glitch can make your Watch think it’s always covered. Disabling this feature can help.

7.1. Turn Off Cover to Mute in the Watch App

1. Open your iPhone’s Watch app and go to the My Watch tab.
2. Tap Sound & Haptics and disable Cover to Mute.

   

3. Check if Apple Watch notifications work properly now.

7.2. Turn Off Cover to Mute in the Watch Settings

1. Go to Settings on your Apple Watch and tap Sound & Haptics.
2. Turn off Cover to Mute and test for notifications again.

   

8. Update Your iPhone’s iOS to the Latest Version

An outdated iOS could create compatibility problems between your iPhone and Apple Watch, preventing notifications. Updating to the latest iOS version usually helps. Make sure to back up your iPhone first.

1. Charge your iPhone fully and connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap General.

   

3. Select Software Update. If an iOS update is available, download and install it.

   

4. Restart your iPhone and Apple Watch after updating.
5. When both have restarted, check if Apple Watch notifications are back.

9. Update Apple Watch to the Latest OS Version

Just like with your iPhone, if your Apple Watch is running old software, it may not work well with your iPhone. Make sure the watchOS is up to date. Before updating, check your iPhone’s software is also current.

1. Make sure your Apple Watch is charged and connected to the internet.
2. Go to Settings on the Apple Watch and chooose General.

   

3. Tap Software Update. If an update is available, download and install it.

   

4. Restart your Apple Watch and paired iPhone after updating.
5. Check if notifications work correctly after restart.

10. Enable Mirror My iPhone Notifications for Apple Watch

The “Mirror My iPhone” option lets your Apple Watch show the same notifications as your iPhone. If this setting is turned off for particular apps, you might stop receiving notifications on the watch.

1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap Notifications.
2. Make sure Mirror My iPhone is enabled for any app you want notifications from. Check if notifications appear on your Watch.

   

3. If not, in the Watch app, find the specific app (like Mail), tap Custom, and enable Show Alerts for all accounts you need.
4. Restart your Apple Watch and see if notifications are working.
5. If the problem continues, try setting notifications in the Watch app for that app to Repeat Alert.
6. If it still doesn’t work, go to Sounds & Haptics in settings and set a specific Text Tone for alerts.

   

If you have a problem with a certain email account, make sure all accounts are signed in under Watch App >> Mail, and then test again.

11. Turn Off Wrist Detection on Apple Watch

With Wrist Detection on, your Apple Watch only shows notifications when it’s being worn. If the sensors can’t detect your wrist because of tattoos, skin tone, or lots of hair, it might not register that you’re wearing it. Turning this feature off may help, but note this can disable some features like Apple Pay.

1. On your iPhone, open the Watch app and go to Passcode.
2. Turn Wrist Detection off and confirm.

   

3. Restart both your iPhone and Apple Watch to see if notifications now show.
4. If that doesn’t work, try turning on Raise to Wake in the Apple Watch settings.

If your issue is with just one app (like Telegram), try resetting that app’s notifications or reinstalling it.

12. Edit Passcode Settings on Your Apple Watch

If your Apple Watch is locked, you might not get notifications. Some users prefer not to use a passcode, but if you need one (such as for work devices), adjusting these settings may help.

1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to the My Watch tab, then choose Passcode.
2. Enable:

   Passcode
   
   Turn Wrist Detection
   
   Unlock With iPhone

   

3. Either unlock your Apple Watch manually, or just unlock your iPhone to unlock the Watch. Your Watch stays unlocked while you’re wearing it.

   

13. Edit Message Notifications for iMessages

Sometimes, only message notifications are missing. Adjusting your iMessage notification settings can help.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone and tap Messages.
2. Choose Send & Receive and make sure receiving messages from your iCloud account is enabled.

   

3. Check whether Apple Watch notifications are working.
4. If not, log out of Messages on any other related devices (like a MacBook), except your iPhone and Apple Watch, and see if that helps.
5. If still not working, in Settings >> Messages >> Text Message Forwarding, enable forwarding from your MacBook.

   

6. Still not working? Try toggling the settings in Messages >> Send & Receive OFF and ON again.
7. Also check that Notifications, Banner Alerts, and Sound are all enabled in Settings >> Notifications >> Messages.
8. If you continue to have problems, turn iMessage and FaceTime OFF, wait 5 minutes, and then turn them back ON, and test again.

14. Reset iPhone’s Network Settings to Default

Corrupt or incompatible network settings on your iPhone can affect how it communicates with your Apple Watch. Resetting network settings may restore notifications.

1. Go to Settings on your iPhone and open General.
2. Tap Reset, then Reset Network Settings.

   

3. Confirm the reset, then check your Apple Watch for notifications.

   

If the issue persists, and it’s happening with a specific app, try installing the app’s official app (for example, if you have problems using Google Mail in the Apple Mail app, try the Gmail app instead).

15. Re-Pair Apple Watch and iPhone

Communication issues between your Apple Watch and iPhone can prevent notifications. Unpairing and re-pairing them can fix these issues. Remember to keep the watch close to the phone and back up your Watch data first.

1. In the Watch app on iPhone, go to the My Watch tab.
2. Tap your watch (at the top), then tap Info (the “i” in a circle).

   

3. Tap Unpair Apple Watch. You may need to choose whether to keep or remove your cellular plan.

   

4. Confirm and enter your Apple ID if asked.
5. Restart your Apple Watch and iPhone.
6. Pair the Apple Watch with your iPhone again, set it up as new (without restoring a backup), and test notifications. If it works, you can re-pair your devices using your backup.

16. Reset the Apple Watch to Factory Settings

A corrupted Watch OS can block notifications entirely. Resetting your Apple Watch to factory settings can resolve this. Make sure your Watch is fully charged before starting.

1. Unpair the Apple Watch from your iPhone (see steps above).
2. On the Apple Watch, open Settings and go to General.
3. Tap Reset, then select Erase All Content and Settings.

   

4. Confirm and wait for the process to finish.
5. After resetting, re-pair the Apple Watch to your iPhone, and check if notifications are now working.