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No text tone sounds from Iphone when paired with Apple Watch

Since I paired my Apple Watch with my Iphone, I get taptic and sound on my watch, but I don't get any text tones from my Iphone anymore. I have assigned text tones to my GF, brother, etc. I used to be able to hear their specific text tone on my phone and know it was them texting without having to look at the phone. Now the Iphone doesn't make a text tone sound at all, however the watch will still buzz and make a sound when a text comes through. Anyone know how I can get both text tones back on my Iphone while still keeping taptic and sound on my watch? Thanks.

Apple Watch

Posted on May 16, 2015 10:05 AM

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Posted on May 22, 2017 6:41 AM

I just got an iWatch over the weekend for my birthday. I'm very unhappy with this issue. The sound is not loud enough and the vibrate is not strong enough. My children texted me and I missed that. Looks like i'm going to return the watch this weekend. Both the phone and watch should sound off.

103 replies

Oct 16, 2017 11:36 AM in response to lyndafromfl

lyndafromfl wrote:


Apple is “big” on giving Options. In Settings, there are many Options. I don’t like not having the Option to set both Iphone and Apple Watch for alerts because when my watch is on its stand, I don’t get the alerts on my iPhone = problem.

Guess you haven't spent too much time using an Android phone. Being able to change settings is not the same thing as having options to do things in a completely different way. But, regardless of what you you call it, this is not an option that Apple has provided. You are free to give them your feedback. The link has already been provided in this thread.

Oct 16, 2017 11:43 AM in response to lyndafromfl

lyndafromfl wrote:


Correct, I have 0 experience on android phone. We can agree to disagree. This shouldn’t be too big a request. There have been complaints about it from Apple watch’s onset and it is a major annoyance.

Yes, there have been some complaints, from what appear to be a fairly small number of users. However, going back to the original keynote in which the Apple Watch was released, Apple has been quite clear about their vision of how the Apple Watch should handle notifications.


Submit your feedback.

Oct 16, 2017 11:49 AM in response to lyndafromfl

lyndafromfl wrote:


I did submit my feedback. Just because they have “been clear” doesn’t mean it’s the way the public likes it.

And that is what I mean about Apple not being big on options. The fact that some (probably small) percentage of people doesn't like the way Apple has decided to do things rarely causes Apple to change their mind and provide another way of doing things.


I am not making any judgement about your opinion.

Oct 21, 2017 6:52 PM in response to Smiledrs

I am having the same very annoying problem! It kinda eliminates the entire concept of “alerts.”


Users definitely, i my opinion, enjoy the ability to enable, or disable, this alert.


Eventually, perhaps Apple could eatable Choices in Contacts to receive alerts on both devices.


Apple has incredible geniuses and I believed it’s quite possible. If enough of us complain, perhaps they will do something.l...I don’t think it’s Rocket Science, do you?

Oct 21, 2017 6:59 PM in response to LozAdam

LozAdam wrote:


It’s just nice to see how many others are having the same issue.

But just remember, it really isn't an issue. It is working the way it is designed. I understand that you and the others may not like it or appreciate the way it functions, but it isn't something wrong. That is the only point I'm trying to make. While your feedback helps, it may not get changed, since it has been this way since the watch was introduced. But all of you can think positive.

Nov 1, 2017 12:52 PM in response to Smiledrs

OK, answer me this - I am "OK" with it the notifications only going to my Watch 2 (OS 4.1) vs. my 8+ (11.1). My issue is that there is no SOUND coming from my watch when I get a text. It is mute, silent, nothing. I get the haptic "tap" and that is it. No matter what I try in this thread none of that works either.


I get sounds from Mail and using the Google Allo text app along with ringing if I get a call. I get no sounds at all from the Message app for incoming messages, just the tap.


I have contacted Apple support and spent 5-1/2 hours over 3 days with them trying to fix it and Engineering is supposed to get back to me but they didnt sound hopeful. This is my first iPhone since the 4, I've been a diehard Android fan since then. I got away from Android after the bugs I was having with Oreo 8 on my Pixel. I had hoped it would be smoother sailing with Apple...

Nov 9, 2017 1:38 PM in response to Smiledrs

I found this info online just today.


Paired to an Apple Watch?

If your iPhone pairs to an Apple Watch, by design your paired iPhone does not chime when a new text arrives. Instead, it routes alerts to your Apple Watch, especially when the iPhone is locked.

As of now, there is no option to play a sound alert on BOTH your Apple Watch and your iPhone at the same time. It’s one or the other, based on the locked status of your phone. The rule of thumb is if your phone is unlocked, notifications go to the iPhone. If your phone is locked, notifications go to your watch.

Nov 9, 2017 1:45 PM in response to Jbstrafuss

Jbstrafuss wrote:


I found this info online just today.


Paired to an Apple Watch?

If your iPhone pairs to an Apple Watch, by design your paired iPhone does not chime when a new text arrives. Instead, it routes alerts to your Apple Watch, especially when the iPhone is locked.

As of now, there is no option to play a sound alert on BOTH your Apple Watch and your iPhone at the same time. It’s one or the other, based on the locked status of your phone. The rule of thumb is if your phone is unlocked, notifications go to the iPhone. If your phone is locked, notifications go to your watch.

Yup. That's what I explained in this very thread over two years ago.

Nov 22, 2017 7:38 AM in response to Smiledrs

I've read the thread and I too don't like the "new" setting. I used to get text tones as well as watch tone and tap. Not sure what rocket scientist at Apple decided to change it but they should at least give us the option of having both.


I was able to find one work-around by going into the App/Passcode and disabling the "unlock with iphone". This also disabled the wrist detection. I now get text tones but the draw back is that I now have to manually unlock my watch. Not ideal but a solution.


Will also send a message to Apple Support and ask them to create an option to have both.

Nov 22, 2017 7:54 AM in response to deggie

Beg to differ. Up until last week I was getting text sounds and watch taps, so in my opinion, this is a "new" setting. Something has changed and I am missing text messages now because I don't always feel the tap or react to it because sometimes it is that ridiculous "breath" message (like I really need to be reminded of that).


There are other ways to mute the sound which I do as a courtesy to others when appropriate. As a matter of fact I'm in a meeting right now and have turned off the sound on my phone so you won't have to ask me to be quiet.

Nov 22, 2017 7:55 AM in response to Chetter0404

Chetter0404 wrote:


Beg to differ. Up until last week I was getting text sounds and watch taps, so in my opinion, this is a "new" setting. Something has changed and I am missing text messages now because I don't always feel the tap or react to it because sometimes it is that ridiculous "breath" message (like I really need to be reminded of that).

This thread is more than two years old. So no, not a new thing.

Nov 23, 2017 10:55 AM in response to deggie

I meant to reference this post. Any solution?



"OK, answer me this - I am "OK" with it the notifications only going to my Watch 2 (OS 4.1) vs. my 8+ (11.1). My issue is that there is no SOUND coming from my watch when I get a text. It is mute, silent, nothing. I get the haptic "tap" and that is it. No matter what I try in this thread none of that works either.


I get sounds from Mail and using the Google Allo text app along with ringing if I get a call. I get no sounds at all from the Message app for incoming messages, just the tap.


I have contacted Apple support and spent 5-1/2 hours over 3 days with them trying to fix it and Engineering is supposed to get back to me but they didnt sound hopeful. This is my first iPhone since the 4, I've been a diehard Android fan since then. I got away from Android after the bugs I was having with Oreo 8 on my Pixel. I had hoped it would be smoother sailing with Apple..."

No text tone sounds from Iphone when paired with Apple Watch

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