Apple Watch Not Getting Email Notifications? Here’s How to Fix It

Your Apple Watch is supposed to keep you connected, even when your iPhone is out of reach. But if you’ve stopped getting email notifications on your watch — even though they still arrive on your iPhone — something’s not syncing right. The good news? It’s usually an easy fix.

Try the steps below to get your email alerts back on your wrist.

Check Bluetooth Connection

The Apple Watch relies on a Bluetooth connection to stay in sync with your iPhone. If that connection drops, so do your notifications.

Here’s how to check:

On your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth.
Make sure Bluetooth is on.
Under “My Devices,” check that your Apple Watch is connected.

If it’s not, try toggling Bluetooth off and back on, or restart both devices.

Make Sure Wi-Fi or Cellular Is Working

If your iPhone isn’t connected to the internet, it can’t fetch new emails — and your watch won’t either.

Check Wi-Fi:

Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
Make sure Wi-Fi is on and connected to a stable network.

Check cellular:

Go to Settings > Cellular.
Make sure Cellular Data is turned on.

You can also confirm connection status from the Control Center (swipe down from the top right).

Update iOS and watchOS

Outdated software can cause sync problems and bugs. Keep both your iPhone and Apple Watch up to date.

On iPhone:

Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Tap Download and Install if an update is available.

On Apple Watch:

Press the Digital Crown > Settings > General > Software Update.
Tap Install if there’s an update.

Turn Off Do Not Disturb Mode

If Do Not Disturb is on, your watch won’t notify you — even though the emails still come in.

To check:

Press the Digital Crown.
Swipe up to open Control Center.
If the crescent moon icon is lit, tap it to turn off Do Not Disturb.

Check Notification Settings for Mail

Your Apple Watch mirrors your iPhone’s notifications, but you can customize them.

Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
Tap the My Watch tab.
Go to Notifications > Mail.
Choose Mirror my iPhone for consistent alerts.

For more control, select Custom and pick specific accounts or behaviors.

Enable Notification Indicator

The red dot on your Apple Watch means you have unread notifications.

To enable it:

In the Watch app on iPhone, go to My Watch > Notifications.
Toggle on Notification Indicator.

Turn Off “Cover to Mute”

If you accidentally activated “Cover to Mute,” your watch will silence all alerts.

To disable it:

Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
Tap My Watch > Sounds & Haptics.
Toggle off Cover to Mute.

Consider Turning Off Wrist Detection

Wrist Detection locks your Apple Watch when it’s not on your wrist — and locked watches don’t show notifications.

To disable it (optional):

Open the Watch app > My Watch > Passcode.
Toggle off Wrist Detection.

⚠️ Keep in mind: Turning this off may reduce your watch’s security and disable features like Apple Pay.

Unpair and Re-pair Your Apple Watch

If all else fails, try resetting the connection between your devices.

Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
Tap your watch at the top of the screen.
Tap the “i” icon next to your watch name.
Select Unpair Apple Watch and confirm with your passcode.
Re-pair your Apple Watch and set it up again.