10 Quick Fixes for Apple Watch Not Getting Notifications

User Concern

“My Watch is set to mirror my iPhone in terms of Mail and Message notifications, but the Watch is not getting them. My texts and e-mails arrive on the Watch, but I do not get the notifications I expect. Any thoughts? Thanks!”

Apple Watch allows you stay updated on incoming app notifications, which can be very convenient on the go. However, it is not without flaws. Recently many users complained that the Apple Watch notifications are not working.

If you are not getting notifications on your Apple Watch, don't fret, here this article will explain why is your Apple Watch not receiving notifications and how to get Apple Watch notifications working normally again.

Important Notes about Apple Watch Notifications

It’s worth keeping in mind two key points about how notifications work on Apple Watch:

• Notifications will only show up on your Watch when it’s unlocked and on your wrist.
• If you’re actively using your iPhone, alerts will appear there instead of on the Watch.

You can find these two notes in the Notifications menu of the Watch app on your iPhone. Make sure they’re turned on.

Why Is My Apple Watch Not Receiving Notifications?

If your Apple Watch isn’t getting notifications, it’s often due to settings or connection issues. Common causes include:

• When your iPhone is unlocked, notifications appear on the phone instead of the Watch.
• Modes like Do Not Disturb, Sleep, or Driving silence notifications on your Watch.
• If Wrist Detection is disabled or the Watch isn’t worn properly, alerts may not come through.
• A Watch that’s disconnected from your iPhone won’t receive notifications.
• Some apps require you to turn on notifications separately in the Watch app.
• Outdated iOS or watchOS versions can cause notification errors.
• Temporary system bugs may also block notifications.

How to Fix Apple Watch Not Getting Notifications

Notification problems on Apple Watch are usually simple to resolve. Try the following tips to get your notifications back on track:

Tip 1. Ensure Your Apple Watch Is Not Locked

On the watch face, do you notice a small lock icon? If yes, your Apple Watch is locked with a passcode, and notifications are transmitted to the iPhone instead of the locked watch. Enter your passcode to unlock your Apple watch, and you should begin receiving notifications here.

Tip 2. Ensure Apple Watch and iPhone Are Connected

As mentioned above, you won't receive any notifications if your Apple Watch has lost its connection with your iPhone. You should check the connection and make sure the two devices are connected correctly.

• Swipe up on your Apple Watch to open Control Center.
• If you see a red X, red iPhone, or Wi-Fi icon, it means your Watch is disconnected. These may also appear on the watch face.
• When the Watch is connected to your iPhone, you’ll see a green iPhone icon at the top of Control Center.

To restore the connection, keep your Apple Watch and iPhone close to each other. On your iPhone, make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on. Also check that Airplane Mode is off on both devices.

Tip 3. Restart Your Apple Watch

Restarting your Apple Watch can help resolve various software problems, including notification issues. To do this,

• Press and hold the side button until the Power icon appears at the top-right corner.
• Tap it and slide the Power slider to turn off your Watch.
• Once it’s off, press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears to turn it back on.

Tip 4. Turn Off Do Not Disturb on Apple Watch

If Do Not Disturb is turned on, your Apple Watch won't alert you to incoming emails, texts, or other notifications. To restore notifications, make sure Do Not Disturb is turned off.

• On your Apple Watch, swipe up from the watch face to open the Control Center.
• Tap the crescent moon icon to turn off Do Not Disturb.

Tip 5. Check Apple Watch Notification Settings

Another important thing that you should check is whether the notifications has been enabled on your Apple Watch or not. Sometimes you may have turned off Apple Watch notifications and forgot to turn it back on.

• Open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to My Watch > Notifications.
• Select the app that isn’t sending alerts, and enable Allow Notifications.

Please note that some apps have different notification options, like Mirror my iPhone for Messages and Calendar.

Tip 6. Toggle Off Cover to Mute

The Cover to Mute feature on Apple Watch lets you silence alerts by covering the watch with your hand. You can disable it to help fix notification problems. Here's how to turn off Cover to Mute:

• Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch, go to Sounds & Haptics.
• Then scroll down and turn off the Cover to Mute option.

Tip 7. Turn Off Wrist Detection

If you turn on Wrist Detection, your Apple Watch will only deliver notifications if it recognizes that you are wearing it correctly. You can disable this feature on Apple Watch if it isn't working properly.

• Open the Watch app and go to Passcode.
• Then turn off the toggle for Wrist Detection.

NOTE: This method will also work if you want to receive Apple Watch notifications even if you aren't wearing it.

Tip 8. Unpair & Repair Apple Watch and iPhone

If nothing else seems to be working, unpair and repair the Apple Watch with your iPhone. Make sure to complete the process using the Watch app. This will build a backup and allow you to restore it with ease.

Tip 9. Update Apple Watch and iPhone

Because of a bug in watchOS and iOS, notification delivery may be affected from time to time. Therefore, you can try to update both your Apple Watch and iPhone and ensure both devices are running the latest OS version.

You can update watchOS directly from your watch by following the steps below;

• Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch and tap General.
• Select Software Update, then tap Download and Install. If you see Install Now, the update is already downloaded - tap it and follow the on-screen instructions.

To update your iPhone, just head over to Settings > General > Software Update. If there is an iOS update available, download and install it.

Tip 10. Contact Apple Support

If you have tried all the solutions but nothing works, and your Apple Watch is still not receiving notifications correctly, you can contact Apple Support and get the watch repaired.

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The Bottom Line

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