Notifications normally go to iPhone when it is unlocked and to Apple Watch when the phone is locked and the watch is worn/unlocked. Focus, app mirroring and connection state can change routing. Lock the iPhone, wear and unlock the watch and send a test notification.
Differential
Likely causes of “Apple Watch is not receiving notifications”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The iPhone is unlocked, so the alert goes to the iPhone
What separates it Notifications arrive on the phone and not the watch while you are using the phone, which is normal.
How to confirm Lock the iPhone, wear and unlock the watch and send a test notification.
- 2
A Focus or Do Not Disturb setting is blocking alerts
What separates it Alerts are silent on the watch at the times a Focus is on and arrive later in the list.
How to confirm Check whether a Focus is active on the watch and the iPhone.
- 3
The app's notification permission or mirroring is off
What separates it Only some apps notify the watch and the others do not, and the Watch app shows them as off.
How to confirm Open the Watch app and check the notification settings for the affected app.
- 4
The watch and the iPhone are disconnected
What separates it The watch shows a red disconnected icon or a delay, and Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is off.
How to confirm Restart both devices and check the connection status.
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which apps fail to notify the watch and which succeed.
- The lock state of the iPhone, whether the watch is worn and unlocked, and any Focus that is on.
- The connection icon on the watch.
Try in this order
0 of 4 completedCapture the exact symptom
ReversibleLock the iPhone, wear/unlock the watch and send a test while checking Focus and connection icons.
Run the smallest isolation test
ReversibleVerify the app’s iPhone notification permission and Watch notification mirror/custom setting.
Correct only the proven cause
ReversibleReconnect/restart both devices and correct the one Focus or app rule that blocks the alert.
Verify before changing anything else
ReversibleTest with phone locked and unlocked so expected routing is clear.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Correct only the one Focus or app rule that blocks the alert, rather than turning off notification mirroring for everything.
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why do my notifications go to my iPhone but not my Apple Watch?+
Alerts go to the device you are using. With the iPhone unlocked they stay there, and they go to the watch when the phone is locked and the watch is worn.
What settings should I check?+
In the Watch app, Notifications, check each app. Also check Focus and Do Not Disturb.
Can Bluetooth be off?+
Yes. Check the connection icon and turn Bluetooth on.