Reminders app not working for kid's "family setup" watch

This is an issue that a lot of families wish that Apple would address. Currently, a watch that is a “family device”, like a stand-alone watch for a child that is set up through a parent’s iPhone does not have access to the same settings menu in the Watch app that the parent’s watch has in that same menu.

Yes, I verified this through Apple support.

I see this an Apple pressuring everyone to have a dedicated iPhone attached to every watch. What Apple is refusing to accept is that families could simply want watches for their children instead phones, until they are old enough, responsible enough, etc.

The functionalities that we’re looking for, to help our children succeed, are not available to us, simply because of this limitation with Family Devices.

So the Reminders app will not the send the notifications that our children badly need, because we don’t have access to the Notification settings.

Apple really needs to fix this.

This is not what the OP is asking. Please don’t answer if you don’t have a solution or actual factual information relating to the issue.

The bottom line is that that the Apple Watch set up in Family mode cannot receive notifications about Reminders. Which is one of the dumbest things about the Watch. What is the point in having reminders if the reminder doesn’t occur?!

Hey JHP392093,

We'd recommend reviewing this article as it provides steps to help resolve notification issues with Apple Watch: Notifications on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

"If you don't see notifications on your Apple Watch

When your devices disconnect, your notifications go to your iPhone instead of your Apple Watch. To check your connection, swipe up on the watch face to open Control Center. If your devices are disconnected, you might see the red iPhone icon , the red X icon , or the Wi-Fi icon . Try to connect your iPhone and Apple Watch.

When your Apple Watch locks or you turn on Do Not Disturb, your notifications go to your iPhone:

1. When your Apple Watch is locked, the lock icon  appears on the watch face.
2. 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 button .

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

If that doesn't resolve the issue, contact Apple Support for assistance here: Get Support

Thanks!

I am having this exact same problem. I would like to set up reminders for music practice on my kids' apple watches. I need the notifications to go to them and have them marked tasks completed. I wouldn't mind seeing the notification as well but the priority is that they receive these reminders. This limits the functionality of the apple watch for children. Can someone from Apple please provide meaningful support here?

I completely agree with the point made here. Apple needs to support stand-alone apple watches for children (supported through the family sharing functionality) so that they have access to the same useful functionality for organization and time management that their parents do. Please fix this!

My son’s watch has the same problem. I was hoping that the upgrade to iOS 17 would magically fix this but it is still the same. I tried unpairing the watch from my phone but it finished and still doesn’t show the Reminder notifications. I didn’t try setting up as a new watch but that might be the next thing I try.

Did you ever figure this out? I just got the same set up for my child and I have the exact same issue. Part of why I wanted the Apple Watch for him was so that he could use the reminders.

Thank you, I really appreciate the explanation. That really sucks as this is one of the reasons I went with the Apple Watch for my son. I hope this bug gets fixed soon!

Apple, please fix this bug. This is such an important feature for my kids to be able to set reminders and be notified about it. what's the point of reminders if notification doesn't work.

Yes , it is the same reason I bought the watch for my son.

Tell Apple via Feedback - Watch - Apple.

tt2

Oh yes, Apple feedback got my opinion on the matter alright! Hopefully everyone is suggesting that this is addressed. So ridiculous on Apple’s part.

100% agree. This is one area where technology could help children to be more organized and better manage their time. I can't understand why reminders would not work as intended here.