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Osnivo Fix

Apple Watch isn't getting notifications

Apple: “If you're not getting notifications on your Apple Watch as expected, try these tips.”

Watch · 7 steps, in Apple's order

Step of 7

Fixed at step

You've tried every step

  1. 1

    Know where notifications go

    Didn't fix it

    • Notifications appear on your Apple Watch or iPhone, but not both.
    • If your iPhone is unlocked, you get notifications on your iPhone instead of your Apple Watch.
    • If your iPhone is locked or asleep, you get notifications on your Apple Watch, unless your Apple Watch is locked.

    Apple: Notifications on your Apple Watch ↗

    Did this fix it?
  2. 2

    Check the connection to your iPhone

    Didn't fix it

    • When your Apple Watch and iPhone disconnect, your notifications go to your iPhone instead of your Apple Watch.
    • Keep your Apple Watch and paired iPhone close together to make sure that they're in range.
    • On your iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center, then make sure that Airplane Mode is off and that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on.
    • On your Apple Watch, press the side button to open Control Center, then make sure that Airplane Mode is off.

    Apple: Notifications on your Apple Watch ↗

    Did this fix it?
  4. 4

    Check Do Not Disturb and the lock

    Didn't fix it

    • When your Apple Watch locks or you turn on Do Not Disturb, your notifications go to your iPhone:
    • When your Apple Watch is locked, the lock icon appears on the watch face.
    • When Do Not Disturb is on, the Do Not Disturb icon appears on the watch face. To turn this feature off, swipe up on the watch face, then tap the Do Not Disturb icon.

    Apple: Notifications on your Apple Watch ↗

    Did this fix it?
  5. 5

    Check the app's notification setting

    Didn't fix it

    • Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, then tap the My Watch tab.
    • Tap Notifications.
    • Scroll down to the list of installed apps, then turn on the app that you want to receive notifications from.

    Apple: Notifications on your Apple Watch ↗

    Did this fix it?
  6. 6

    Third-party app?

    Didn't fix it

    • For third-party apps, notifications are delivered only if your paired iPhone is also connected to a network.

    Apple: Notifications on your Apple Watch ↗

    Did this fix it?
  7. !

    Unpair and pair again

    If nothing above worked Didn't fix it

    • If your Apple Watch still can't connect, unpair it from your iPhone, then pair your Apple Watch and iPhone again.

    Apple: Notifications on your Apple Watch ↗

Glad it's fixed

We've added one to this step's “fixed it” count — anonymously, nothing about you or your device is stored. It helps the next reader start with what works.

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