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 you are not already doing so, then you might wish to use these settings for your Apple Watch:
Check that notifications are expected to be available under the circumstances in which you are using your Apple Watch:
If notification alerts and/or emails and messages are not being delivered on your Apple Watch 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:
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):
Note that Wrist Detection can be affected by temporary or permanent skin changes, such as by some wrist tattoos.
If you are using a case or other protective accessory on your Apple Watch, then it may help to remove it.
Check your Activity app settings:
- On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch > Activity.
- Check that all desired notifications are enabled.
- Keep in mind that, once you have met the 12 hour Stand goal for any given day, no further Stand reminders will be issued during that day.
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 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.
Check your Mail settings:
- 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 that Theatre Mode is not enabled on your Apple Watch:
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:
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:
Having checked the previous points, if the issue persists, the following further steps may also help:
Restart both your iPhone and your Apple Watch, turning both devices off together, then restart your iPhone first:
Unpair and re-pair your Apple Watch:
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: