If you are using Apple Maps turn-by-turn navigation with an Apple Watch and want the iPhone to announce the upcoming turns audibly while the Apple Watch also signals those turns, there is an important limitation to understand. Explore maps on Apple Watch
Apple Maps does not normally provide the same turn-by-turn guidance simultaneously on both the iPhone and Apple Watch. When the iPhone is connected to an Apple Watch, navigation guidance is coordinated between the two devices.
To use turn-by-turn spoken directions, your iPhone must be connected to the internet, and your Precise Location must be turned on. Cellular data rates may apply; see View or change cellular data settings. Turn-by-turn spoken directions aren’t available in all countries or regions. See the iOS and iPadOS Feature Availability website.
The Apple Watch can provide turn notifications and haptic feedback for upcoming turns, while the iPhone may not continue giving the usual audible turn-by-turn announcements in the same way it would when navigating independently. Get directions in Maps on Apple Watch
In other words, this is not simply a matter of finding a setting that enables notifications on both devices. Apple's navigation experience is designed to coordinate the guidance between the iPhone and Apple Watch rather than duplicate every navigation alert on both devices.
So, if your objective is:
- Apple Watch: haptic/tap signals for upcoming turns
- iPhone: spoken, audible turn-by-turn directions
there may not be a setting that makes Apple Maps consistently provide both simultaneously.
The distinction is also important between notifications and spoken navigation instructions. Turning on Maps notifications for the iPhone or Apple Watch does not necessarily make both devices announce the same navigation instructions. The Watch's navigation alerts are specifically designed to complement the visual map and guidance rather than simply mirror the iPhone's audio instructions.
If the priority is to have the iPhone speak every upcoming turn, you would generally need to use the iPhone as the primary navigation device and adjust the Maps navigation/audio settings accordingly. The Watch can still provide other navigation-related feedback, but Apple does not offer a simple "announce on both devices" switch.
