Why doesn’t my phone ding when I have my watch on?

Answered by Tom Adger

When your iPhone is locked and you have your Apple Watch on, your notifications will be redirected to your watch instead of your phone. This means that your phone will not make any sound, ring, or vibrate to alert you of new notifications. Instead, your watch will receive the notifications and notify you through haptic feedback, which is a gentle tap on your wrist.

The reason for this is to provide a seamless and convenient experience for users who have both an iPhone and an Apple Watch. Having the notifications go directly to your watch ensures that you don’t miss any important alerts, even if your phone is locked or not easily accessible.

This feature is particularly useful when you’re in a situation where you can’t easily check your phone, such as during a meeting, workout, or when your phone is in another room. With your watch on your wrist, you can quickly glance at your notifications and decide if they require immediate attention or if they can be addressed later.

It’s worth noting that this behavior can be customized to some extent through the Apple Watch and iPhone settings. For example, you can choose which apps send notifications to your watch and customize the type of alert you receive, such as a sound, a haptic tap, or both. You can also adjust the volume of the haptic feedback on your watch to suit your preference.

In addition to receiving notifications, your Apple Watch can also perform other tasks independently from your iPhone. For example, you can make and receive phone calls, send and receive messages, track your fitness activities, and use various apps directly on your watch without needing to access your phone.

If you prefer to have your phone alert you instead of your watch, you can adjust the settings on your iPhone. Simply go to the Settings app, select Notifications, and make sure the desired notifications are set to show on your iPhone’s lock screen and make sound. However, keep in mind that this will override the default behavior of sending notifications to your watch.

When your iPhone is locked and you’re wearing your Apple Watch, your notifications will be redirected to your watch to ensure you don’t miss any alerts. This feature provides a seamless and convenient experience for users, allowing them to quickly check notifications without having to access their phone.