No Alarm Notifications on Garmin Watch after iOS Update

The app developer or the device manufacturer may not have updated their software to ensure compatibility with the iOS version your device is currently running.

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1. Identify the app developer.
2. Visit their website or app store listing.
3. Look for their contact information or support channels.
4. Clearly describe the issue you are facing.
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Hey Sophiaaaa and others, I found answers!

quoting someone else “Garmin told me that the watch only has a setting to allow or disable alerts and any issues must be with iOS 26 not sending the notification. 

I got through to senior Apple support and they said that clock alarms are not classified as alerts in iOS 26 but are sounds and that the watch has to connect to the phone as a “speaker” or else the alarm won’t be played on the watch. 

Apple also said that Garmin development will have to contact Apple development to resolve the issue. 

I guess we’re really stuck with this for now. 

As a workaround I am using reminders”

Their work around (don’t ask me to explain it. I cannot.)

“Of course, it is only a notification, and you cannot stop the alarm from your watch. But at least you get something on your watch.

Workaround Descriptions: 

Add a Personal Automation to your iPhone to make the iPhone alarm appear as a notification on your watch, triggered when any alarm goes off.

The following shortcut finds the current alarm which is set for the current hour and minute, and then generates a notification showing the alarm time and alarm name. This appears as a notification on your iPhone and your Garmin Watch.”

This person further noted the problem is not unique to Garmin, Tissot also reports the same issue.

Recommendation from another, whom I agree with, is to formally report it to Apple. If they receive enough reports, they may address it.

“We won't get anywhere unless we all log this as a feedback request with Apple: Feedback - iPhone - Apple

Sophiaaaaaaaa wrote:

I don’t agree with that. Apple absolutely controls what third-party devices are allowed to access on iOS. Garmin can only work within the limits Apple sets -having an API doesn’t mean they get the same system-level access as Apple Watch.

Apple has clearly changed how alarms and certain alerts are handled at the OS level. Those still work perfectly on Apple Watch because it has privileged access, but they no longer get forwarded reliably to third-party wearables. If this were purely a Garmin issue, the behavior wouldn’t suddenly change after iOS updates.

This isn’t about user error or misconfiguration. It’s about Apple choosing not to expose the same functionality to non-Apple watches, even when that affects reliability and safety.

So, you're an App Developer and you understand how 3rd party apps work within iOS? I didn't think so. You are drawing straw conclusions. No one suggested the issue you or anyone else may be experiencing is user error, nor did anyone suggest this is a purely Garmin issue. But it is an issue that Garmin has to work with Apple to resolve. Apple cannot fix anything in the code of Garmin Watches, nor the Garmin App themselves.

Check this, first.

Or Use and customize the Action button on iPhone - Apple Support (IN)

Then please check the following.

• Check your DND status - Settings > Focus [Do Not Disturb]; Use Focus on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
• Check BedTime Status - Clock App; Use Bedtime to track your sleep on your iPhone - Apple Support
• Check your iPhone Sound Volume; Adjust the volume on your iPhone - Apple Support
• Check Call Audio Routing; Call Audio Routing Bluetooth / Speaker / Automatic
• Check Auto Answer Calls; Turn off Auto Answer Calls
• Check the list of Blocked Numbers --> Block phone numbers, contacts, and emails on your iPhone ...

Notification Preview when Screen is Locked, Notification Alerts, Notification OFF, and much more...

1. To get Notifications when the Screen is locked see the pic below which is self-explanatory
   1. 
2. To turn ON notifications selectively for apps, go to Settings > Notifications > Scroll Down to the App and turn ON notifications... Change notification settings on iPhone - Apple Support (IN)
   1. 
3. Some apps have their own notification settings over and above the iOS notification settings: An example of Instagram Notification settings is given below
   1. 
4. Help for Notification Alerts --> No Notification Alerts - Apple Community
5. For VIP email Alerts refer to the pic below
   1. 

Sophiaaaaaaaa wrote:

If this were purely a Garmin issue, the behavior wouldn’t suddenly change after iOS updates.

It's not "purely a Garmin issue" in the sense that yes, Apple probably changed something. But Garmin needs to keep up.

If Honda, for example, puts out a new car that takes a different kind of tire, it's not up to Honda to retool Goodyear's production lines.

But blaming Apple seems to be more on trend.

It's not always the iOS update's fault!  Many things can cause phone problems.  If you tell people you think it's an iOS update, it might make it harder to fix or find a solution for the real issue.

Remember, the right question often leads to the solution!

Was/Is your device Jailbroken? If that's the situation, please be informed that attributing the issues to iOS updates may not be accurate.

iOS updates aim to enhance user experience, boost security, and fix bugs rather than disrupt core features. The majority of the issues after updates might stem from underlying, unmentioned factors. Updates won't typically alter personal data but may refine settings or features. Backup before major updates for safety. Review Apple's update details and backup advice for a smooth process.

Kindly consider checking your settings and addressing any device issues before attributing the issue to external factors. This could be a pure coincidence that the iOS update affected the iPhone functions.

Before initiating a standard iOS update, it's advisable to create a backup. Have you completed this step? If yes, proceed with the restoration from the backup.

See what each update does: OS — iOS 26, About iOS 18 Updates, About iOS 17 Updates, About iOS 16 Updates, About iOS 15 Updates, About iOS 14 Updates, About iOS 13 Updates, About iOS 12 Updates, and so on...

Sophiaaaaaaaa wrote:

I believe Apple will not admit the change they made and is simply shifting the blame to Garmin and to us, claiming that we don’t have the correct settings. They even advised me to turn my sound on. Honestly, that’s unbelievable!

Again, Apple has no control over Garmin. Even if Apple made a change, it's up to Garmin to make their device compatible with iPhone. They were provided the API (Application Protocol Interface) well before any update was released to the public. What Garmin did with it, is up to Garmin, NOT Apple.

Has Apple provided any updated response to this? This is a safety problem. It’s a safety problem with people driving or riding their bikes or not getting medications taken because they alarms don’t go off because of their physical location when the alarm goes off & it didn’t go to the watch. I have a Garmin because I exercise where there is no cellular service. There are very good reasons for wanting Garmin’s and not Apple watches. This is extremely frustrating!!

PsychGeekOnMac wrote:

Has Apple provided any updated response to this? This is a safety problem. It’s a safety problem with people driving or riding their bikes or not getting medications taken because they alarms don’t go off because of their physical location when the alarm goes off & it didn’t go to the watch. I have a Garmin because I exercise where there is no cellular service. There are very good reasons for wanting Garmin’s and not Apple watches. This is extremely frustrating!!

This is a user to user only forum. Apple doesn't post here, nor read for user feedback. If something changed with Garmin functionality, you'd need to work directly with Garmin or Apple, but Apple doesn't own Garmin, so they couldn't change anything having to do with Garmin Watches. Personally, I'd push on Garmin as it's their watch.

Sophiaaaaaaaa wrote:

I believe Apple will not admit the change they made and is simply shifting the blame to Garmin and to us, claiming that we don’t have the correct settings. They even advised me to turn my sound on. Honestly, that’s unbelievable!

If Apple changed something, it's up to Garmin to update their product to work with it. This is why Apple makes beta versions of the software available to developers many months in advance. Apple can't modify Garmin's software.

Sophiaaaaaaaa wrote:

I don’t fully buy it, but I really hope you’re right. I’d love to see my Garmin actually get notifications again, and that will only happen if your thinking is correct.

I love my iPhone and wouldn’t change it, just like my Garmin, my daily training watch.

Garmin does make a very nice watch. But, at least when I was doing serious running, they didn't play that well with Macs or iPhones. I honestly don't think it's one of Garmin's priorities. But they do make wonderful watches.