Use with your paired iPhone; Family Setup configurations may differ.
Start with the two apps that interrupted you most yesterday, then adjust them one at a time. Small changes make it easier to notice which alerts are worth keeping.
01Open the notification list
On iPhone, open the Watch app and go to My Watch > Notifications. Find the app you want to adjust.
02Decide whether it should interrupt you
Apps with custom controls can allow notifications, send them to Notification Center, or turn them off. Apps that mirror iPhone alerts can be disabled there.
03Leave space for important messages
Keep alerts you genuinely need to see quickly. For a temporary break, swipe left on a watch notification and use More options to mute it.
That’s it
Lock your iPhone, wear and unlock your watch, then see whether the next real notification arrives as expected.
Questions you may have
Why did my phone and watch not alert at the same time?
Notifications usually go to the iPhone or watch based on whether each device is locked and in use. Check both device states, Focus, and app permissions when testing.
Does Silent Mode block every notification?
Silent Mode mainly changes sound. To control which alerts interrupt you, adjust app notifications or Focus.
Based on official public information · 2026-10-21
Not tested on every model; features and interfaces may vary by device and software version.