HT204562: About Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on Apple Watch

Learn about About Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on Apple Watch
MarcoSailor

Q: Text sounds on my iPhone will not work when Bluetooth is turned on for my iWatch.  Is there a solution?

When I turn Bluetooth on, my iPhone 5c will not make any sounds when I receive texts.  I need Bluetooth turned on as I have an iWatch and need it on for the communication between the two devices to work.  Any solutions???

Thanks!

Posted on Sep 2, 2016 9:00 AM

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Q: Text sounds on my iPhone will not work when Bluetooth is turned on for my iWatch.  Is there a solution?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Jonathan UK,Apple recommended

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Sep 2, 2016 9:03 AM in response to MarcoSailor
    Level 7 (30,158 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 2, 2016 9:03 AM in response to MarcoSailor

    Hi

     

    How notifications behave depends on the status of your devices and your settings. With Wrist Detection enabled, in order to bring notifications to your attention as soon as possible:

     

    • If your iPhone is unlocked, you will receive notifications on your iPhone instead of on your watch.
    • If your iPhone is locked or asleep and your watch is unlocked (regardless of whether the watch screen is asleep or awake) and on your wrist, you will receive notifications on your watch.
    • If your watch is locked or has Do Not Disturb enabled, notifications will go to your iPhone.

     

    More information:

    About notifications on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Sep 2, 2016 9:03 AM in response to MarcoSailor
    Level 9 (54,872 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 2, 2016 9:03 AM in response to MarcoSailor

    When you have the Apple Watch connected and unlocked, you will not get notifications for things like text messages on your phone unless you are actively using the phone. That's the way it's supposed to work. You will get the notifications on your watch.

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Sep 2, 2016 9:03 AM in response to MarcoSailor
    Level 7 (30,158 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 2, 2016 9:03 AM in response to MarcoSailor

    If you turn off Wrist Detection (on your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch > General > Wrist Detection), all notification alerts will be delivered to both devices. However, you will not then be able to benefit from features including Wake Screen on Wrist Raise, Apple Pay and a single unlock after placing the watch on your wrist.

     

    If you would like to suggest that Apple considers adding an option for notification alerts to be delivered to both devices irrespective of other settings, you can do so here:

     

    https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch.html

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Sep 2, 2016 9:04 AM in response to MarcoSailor
    Level 9 (56,998 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 2, 2016 9:04 AM in response to MarcoSailor

    If you have the Apple watch and have them connected, then getting the notifications on your watch only is the normal way for it to work. If you wish to get notifications on both devices, then you are going to have to make changes in the settings. However, understand that making those changes will disable your ability to perform some tasks on the Apple Watch. See this section of the User Guide regarding notifications, and this support document.

     

    http://help.apple.com/watch/#/apdb50fd440a

    About notifications on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Sep 2, 2016 9:09 AM in response to MarcoSailor
    Level 7 (30,158 points)
    Apple Watch
    Sep 2, 2016 9:09 AM in response to MarcoSailor

    For the best performance from your devices (including the most energy-efficient communication between them), keep both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi permanently enabled on your iPhone.