Apple Watch phantom 'resonate' haptics after WatchOS 26.2

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Apple Watch phantom 'resonate' haptics after WatchOS 26.2

Hey all. Since updating to WatchOS 26.2, my watch has been making random "resonate" haptic notifications throughout the day, night and even when I'm not wearing my watch and it's sitting on a charger.

I've tried all the usual power watch and phone on/off, I've tried disabling all notifications and enabling apps one by one, but I can't find a cause. It's definitely the "resonate" haptic type. I've tried setting all haptics to different ones and I still get the phantom "resonate" alerts. I've updated to 26.2.1 and within 5 minutes of putting on my Watch, I got another phantom haptic alert.

Is anyone else encountering this bug and have you found a fix for it? It's driving me crazy!

Apple Watch Series 9

Posted on Jan 27, 2026 10:30 PM

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Answer 1

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Ingo2711

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80,373 points

Jan 28, 2026 2:07 AM in response to Red45

To rule out a software issue inside your backup data, erase the watch and pair it again, setting it up as a new device. You will only lose your created Watch faces and may have to activate the cards in your Wallet app again.

Unpair and erase your Apple Watch - Apple Support

In case this did not fix the issue, let Apple Techs know by using the Feedback link:

Feedback - Apple Watch - Apple

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Answer 2

Ingo2711

Level 10

80,373 points

Jan 28, 2026 10:52 AM in response to Red45

Did you check if either of those programs are pushing new mail to your watch, which might trigger the "Resonate" haptics?

If you are using the default settings in Sound & Haptics for your watch, "Resonate" is selected for Text Tone and New Mail.

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Answer 3

Ingo2711

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Jan 28, 2026 11:06 AM in response to Red45

Did you try to disable those two haptics as a test, to rule out a software issue with 3rd party mail apps?

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Answer 4

Ingo2711

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Jan 28, 2026 10:28 AM in response to Red45

Sorry, that it did not work.

Are you using a 3rd party Mail app and/or Mail is set to push?

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Answer 5

Red45 Author

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Jan 28, 2026 11:01 AM in response to Ingo2711

Yes, they are set as that, but when I get the phantom haptics, there is no other form of notification and no new mail/message (not even junk/spam).

The phantom haptics will also occur even when the watch is on the charger (there should be no notifications when it’s off my wrist).

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Answer 6

Red45 Author

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Jan 28, 2026 11:11 AM in response to Ingo2711

Yep! I've tried disabling all notifications and enabling apps one by one, but I can't find a cause. It's definitely the "resonate" haptic type. I've tried setting all haptics to different ones and I still get the phantom "resonate" alerts.

There’s another person on Reddit who’s also having the same issue and they’ve tried all these troubleshooting steps too.

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Answer 7

Red45 Author

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Jan 28, 2026 4:53 AM in response to Ingo2711

Thought that might have fixed it for an hour or so, but I just got another phantom haptic. Thanks for the suggestion regardless. I’ll report via the feedback link.

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Answer 8

Red45 Author

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Jan 28, 2026 10:36 AM in response to Ingo2711

I use Gmail (set as default) and Outlook. I don’t use the Apple Mail app.

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