Apple Watch Messages Not Syncing? Here’s What You Can Do


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So you finally got an Apple Watch after much deliberation. You’re enjoying its features to the fullest. This includes using it when you’re working out and for checking your messages. Now, what if your Apple Watch messages are not syncing? Of course, this disrupts your usage of the Apple Watch if one of its features is not working. This is especially true if you use it for work or when you’re in a hurry and you don’t have time to take your phone out every so often.

Using iCloud to store and sync your messages across all your Apple devices is definitely a good way to go. This not only applies to iMessage but to SMS messages as well (if you use the SMS relay feature). Not only does iCloud keep them in sync, but it also backs up your messages. Even better, it allows you to maximize your local memory space for other data that you might need.

At present, you are able to get your iMessages simultaneously across all your Apple devices that use the same account. This also applies to the messages you send out. However, you may sometimes notice that some messages don’t always make it through to a number of your devices. This may include your Apple Watch. It’s especially true for your Apple devices that may have been offline for some time. If you’re using your Messages on a new device, only the new ones will appear, too. The old messages will remain on your old device.

Using iCloud for your messages will resolve these issues. It ensures that you get to keep an archive of your messages across all your devices that enable your messages in iCloud. That way, you get to stay on top of all your new messages and they should all sync in all your devices.

Now, if your messages in iCloud still won’t show on your iPhone and Apple Watch, consider turning the Messages iCloud syncing off and on again. Do this on the iPhone that is paired with your Apple Watch. If this doesn’t work, try restarting the iPhone itself. It may need to be refreshed before pairing to your Apple Watch again. If it still doesn’t work, try restarting your Apple Watch and the reboot might do the trick.

On the other hand, what if you’re experiencing more problems with your Apple Watch messages aside from just syncing? Have you noticed your Apple Watch not displaying message notifications despite receiving a text message on your iPhone? Or maybe even your iPhone doesn’t notify you of new messages?

Before you panic and jump to conclusions, you should first be aware that if your Apple Watch is on your wrist, unlocked, and paired with your iPhone, the latter device won’t ring if you’re not using it unless a call comes through. However, if it does ring and your Apple Watch stays silent, you can follow these steps to try and fix the issue:

  1. On your iPhone, go to the Setting app.
  2. Look for and tap on Notifications.
  3. Scroll down the list until you find Messages. Select Messages.
  4. Check all the options on the screen. Ensure that your iPhone is set up to receive message notifications. If there’s anything turned off, switch it on so you don’t miss anything.
  5. Close the Settings app and go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
  6. Select Notifications from the list.
  7. Scroll down and tap on Messages.
  8. If you haven’t changed your settings here, then the Mirror my iPhone option would be selected by default. Change this option and select Custom. Turn on all the options in the list on the screen. This includes Show Alerts, Haptic, and Sound. This allows your Apple Watch to receive all types of notifications that your iPhone receives.

This should fix the problem of your Apple Watch messages not syncing. All message notifications on your iPhone should now automatically be pushed to your Apple Watch in real-time. These steps are also applicable to other notifications that you’re having issues with on your Apple Watch such as calls. If rebooting and updating your Settings still won’t do the trick, you can try signing out of your Apple ID on your devices then log in again.

These steps should be able to help you with your problem with your Apple Watch. If it doesn’t, you might have to visit an Apple Store and have your Apple Watch checked by a professional. There might be a bigger underlying problem you may not know about. They might also have a few more tricks up their sleeve that can fix this issue.


Kokou Adzo

Kokou Adzo is a stalwart in the tech journalism community, has been chronicling the ever-evolving world of Apple products and innovations for over a decade. As a Senior Author at Apple Gazette, Kokou combines a deep passion for technology with an innate ability to translate complex tech jargon into relatable insights for everyday users.

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  1. For some odd reason I have a Apple Watch series 1 and when I go to the watch app then notifications> messages , I don’t see the options “show alerts” I only see “sound” and “haptic”