my watch n o longer notifies me of calls or messages
When I receive calls or messages, the watch doesn't get them or "tap me" to make me aware of them
iPhone X, iOS 11.2.2
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Hi
How notifications behave depends on the status of your devices and your settings. With Wrist Detection enabled, in order to bring notifications to your attention as soon as possible:
- If your iPhone is unlocked, then you will receive notification alerts on your iPhone instead of on your Apple Watch.
- If your iPhone is locked or asleep and your Apple Watch is unlocked (regardless of whether the watch display is asleep or awake) and on your wrist, you will receive notification alerts on your watch.
- If your Apple Watch is locked or has Do Not Disturb enabled, then notifications will go to your iPhone.
- Alerts for incoming calls are delivered to both devices.
- More information:
Check also that notifications are expected to be available under the circumstances in which you are using your Apple Watch:
- About Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular on your Apple Watch - Apple Support
- How to use your Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby - Apple Support
If notification alerts are not being delivered on your Apple Watch (not iwatch) as expected, then the following steps may help:
Check for and install any available updates for your iPhone and Apple Watch, starting with your iPhone:
- Update the iOS on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
- Update your Apple Watch - Apple Support
Check that Wrist Detection is turned on and that, if passcode is enabled, you are unlocking your Apple Watch after placing it on your wrist:
- On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch (tab) > Passcode > turn Wrist Detection on.
- Note that Wrist Detection can be affected by temporary or permanent skin changes, such as by some wrist tattoos.
Check that you are wearing your Apple Watch sufficiently snugly on the top of your wrist (it may otherwise believe that it has been removed, causing it to lock):
If you are using a case or other protective accessory on your Apple Watch, then it may help to remove it.
Check your Messages settings:
- On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch > Messages.
- Choose Custom and check - under Alerts - that Show Alerts, Sound and Haptic are each enabled.
On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch > Mail:
- Perhaps choose Custom and check, under Alerts, that Show Alerts is enabled.
- Tap on your email account (eg iCloud) > check that Show Alerts from iCloud (for example) is enabled > check that Sound and Haptic are both enabled.
Check your Phone settings:
- On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch (tab) > Phone.
- Choose Custom and select your preferred settings under each of Alerts and Ringtone, including checking that the Alert Volume is towards the centre or right hand side.
Check that Theatre Mode is not enabled on your Apple Watch:
- When viewing the time on your watch, swipe up to open Control Centre.
- Tap the Theatre Mode button to toggle the setting on / off.
- Be a considerate moviegoer with Theater Mode
Check that Do Not Disturb mode is not enabled on your Apple Watch:
- When viewing the time on your watch, swipe up to open Control Centre.
- Tap the Do Not Disturb button (crescent moon icon) to toggle the setting on / off.
On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch > Sounds & Haptics:
- Check that the Alert Volume is towards the centre or right hand side.
- Check that Silent Mode is not enabled.
- Check that Haptic Strength is set to the middle or far right hand side of the slider.
- Change the audio and notification settings on your Apple Watch - Apple Support
Confirm directly on your Apple Watch that Silent Mode is not enabled:
- When viewing the time on your watch: swipe up on the screen to open Control Centre > check whether Silent Mode (button with a crossed out bell icon) is enabled.
Check that your Apple Watch and iPhone are connected:
- For the best performance from your iPhone and Apple Watch, including the most power-efficient communication between them, Apple recommends keeping both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi permanently enabled on your iPhone.
- About Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on Apple Watch - Apple Support
- If your Apple Watch isn't connected or paired with your iPhone - Apple Support
Having checked the previous points, if the issue persists, the following further steps may also help:
Restart both your iPhone and your Apple Watch again, turning both devices off together, then restart your iPhone first;
Unpair and re-pair your Apple Watch:
- The Watch app on your iPhone takes a backup of your watch automatically when unpairing via the app.
- Initially choose to Restore from Backup during set up (most data and settings will be restored, with some exceptions, such as Apple Pay cards, passcode).
- If the issue persists, consider instead unpairing and setting it up as a new watch.
- Unpair your Apple Watch and iPhone - Apple Support
- Set up your Apple Watch - Apple Support
If the issue persists, then I suggest that you contact Apple Support (remote diagnostics and/or mail-in service may be available, if required), make a Genius Bar reservation or visit an Apple Authorised Service Provider for assistance: