Apple Watch not getting notifications? 7 things to check

2 min read · 7 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Missing notifications on the watch are mostly explained by how the system is designed: an alert appears on the phone or the watch, never both.

Step by step

1. Understand where alerts go

   If the iPhone is unlocked and in use, notifications appear there and not on the watch. Lock the phone and they come to your wrist.

   Done

2. Check the connection

   Open Control Centre on the watch. A red phone with a line through it, or a red X, means the watch has lost the iPhone. Bring them together and check Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are on and Airplane Mode is off on both.

   Done

3. Turn off Do Not Disturb and Focus

   A moon or another Focus icon at the top of the watch face means alerts are silenced. Open Control Centre and turn it off. By default, a Focus on the iPhone is mirrored to the watch.

   Done

4. Unlock the watch and wear it snugly

   A locked watch shows no notifications. If the band is loose, Wrist Detection may think the watch has been taken off and lock it.

   Done

5. Check the app in the Watch app

   On the iPhone, open the Watch app, tap Notifications and tap the app. Choose Mirror my iPhone, or allow notifications for it.

   Done

6. Check the iPhone's own setting

   A notification that is switched off on the iPhone under Settings, Notifications cannot reach the watch either.

   Done

7. Restart both devices

   Restart the iPhone first, then the watch.

   Done

Good to know

A red dot at the top of the watch face means there are unread notifications. Swipe down to see them.

If notifications arrive without sound or a tap, check Silent mode and the haptic strength under Settings, Sounds & Haptics on the watch.

Some apps deliver to the watch only when their watch app is installed.

In short: Lock the iPhone, check the connection, Focus off, watch unlocked and snug, check the Watch app.