Anyone else seeing blank text message on their watch?

Hi Chuck

If you have not already done so, it may help to update your iPhone and Apple Watch to the latest software versions (presently iOS 9.1 and watchOS 2.0.1). Instructions for updating the software are available here:

Update the iOS software on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Update the software on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

If you are already running the latest software, try restarting both your iPhone and your watch. Turn both devices off first, then restart your iPhone before restarting your watch:

- To turn your watch off: press and hold the side button until you see the Power Off slider; drag it to turn off.

- To turn it back on: press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

It may help to unpair and re-pair your watch and iPhone. The Watch app on your iPhone takes backups of your watch automatically, including a refresh when unpairing via the app. When setting it up again, choose to restore your watch from backup when offered the option. Most data and settings will be restored, with some exceptions (eg Apple Pay cards).

Unpair your Apple Watch and iPhone - Apple Support

Set up your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Yes, I have this same issue. Every time I send a message, or get a message, I always have a blank one of these, EVERY darn time!!! It is quite annoying!! But, it is ONLY on my watch. NOT on my phone. And it only started happening with the latest software updates too.

Make sure your watch is AWAKE to receive messages.

Wake Apple Watch. Just raise your wrist. Apple Watch sleeps again when you lower your wrist. You can also wake Apple Watch by tapping the display or pressing the Digital Crown.

Carolyn Samit wrote:

Make sure your watch is AWAKE to receive messages.

Wake Apple Watch. Just raise your wrist. Apple Watch sleeps again when you lower your wrist. You can also wake Apple Watch by tapping the display or pressing the Digital Crown.

To clarify: Carolyn's reply is incorrect (in addition to not addressing your question).

It is not necessary for Apple Watch to be awake in order for it to receive messages. If incoming messages are not read upon receipt, notifications are saved in Notification Centre (accessed by swiping down on the watch face, when viewing the time). A red dot at the upper-centre of the watch face indicates when unread notifications are awaiting your attention.

I'm afraid I cannot presently offer a solution for your actual issue.

Has anyone figured out what is causing this?

I have actually consulted engineering through Apple to no avail. It was originally thought it could be a diagnostic message being sent out, however "auto send diagnostics" was shut off and it still continues. Now it seems that it occasionally shows up on my iPhone.

We have unpaired, re-paired, set up as new...still nothing.

All the time

I trash them and they come back. If I restart the watch- they go away for a day and then they come back. I have no blank messages on iPhone or macbook or iPad.

I've done all the suggestions - my watch is up to date on software. I've unpaired- repaired. Wiped the watch clean and started over....................

when you figure it out- please post

Same issues here. I've emailed my problems with watchos 3. I miss my favorites for quick texting and such. They should just wipe out 3.0 and go back to 2.2 and revamp that one. The dock is practically the same as glances. So just put the dock where glances was! They say that having the side button doing only one thing was a waste. It's the same thing! Press button and you had favorites, find your favorite contact. Now press button and get the dock, find the app you want. Same thing to me so put the dock where the control panel is now. Swipe up only gives you control panel, THAT is a waste! Do I need to go on?!

I've had this issue since original WatchOS (watch is a little under a year old). I was hoping that iOS10 and WatchOS 3 would make a difference. It didn't. Went through the whole riga-morole with 2 other support attempts at the apple store.

My watch was sent in to depot for repair last Friday.

I will let everyone know how that goes when I get the watch back (3-6 days was Genius Bar estimate).

Watch came back from repair with this note: 'We performed diagnostics and reset watch to factory settings. We did not find any issues with your watch. We did not see the issue you reported. It is possible our work resolved the issue. We are returning your watch to you.'

It has only been a day and a half of use, with 2-3 incoming text messages. No blank/phantom text messages on watch so far. I'll keep monitoring and report back periodically.

Any solution yet??

When I unpair my phone, it's good for a day or so but then the darn blank text messages appear again

Same here....

Thanks for your reply

I am not looking to wake my watch. I am looking for a solution of why I have blank text messages on my apple watch.