Apple watch is one of the popular smart watches in the market. Unsurprisingly, it has its own share of bugs. When the Apple watch does not vibrate for notifications and alarms, it is caused by a bug. That is not good because it can cause the user to miss important notifications and alarms.
What to do if the Apple watch alarm is not vibrating?
There are few fixes that can help you fix the Apple watch alarm not vibrating. However, ensure that your silent mode is not enabled on your Apple watch. Check and ensure you are wearing the device correctly around your wrist so that the lower part of the watch makes the right contact with your wrist.
If you link your Apple watch with your iPhone, there is a balance for showing the notifications and alarms. You need to set your ON iPhone, not the ‘open/unlocked /active’; so you can get alarms and notifications on your Apple Watch.
For notifications and alarms between both the devices:
- If your iPhone is in “ open/unlocked/active”, not all notifications will be shown on your iPhone.
- If your iPhone is in ‘asleep/locked/closed‘ but “ON”, then notifications will be shown on your Apple Watch even if it is located anywhere near your device.
If you have done the above, but the Apple watch alarm not vibrating, then consider applying the following methods to fix the issue.
#1. Restart Apple watch
Restarting a computer device whatever it is has proven to troubleshoot the issue and fix common bugs even. The Apple watch is also a small computer device and restarting it can solve this problem. Restarting will reset its configurations and parameters.
- Press and hold the side button till you see the Power Off prompt.
- Slide the “Power Off” slider to the left.
- Apple watch will turn off, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo is displayed.
- Set a test alarm to check if it is functioning properly.
#2. Enable prominent haptics
There are two levels of vibration on the Apple watch; one standard option and the other is Prominent Haptics. The Prominent Haptics is more effective than the Standard version of vibration. Enabling the Prominent Haptics may solve the problem.
- Open Apple watch Settings.
- Scroll down and find “Sounds & Haptics”.
- Select it when you find it.
- Open Sounds & Haptics.
- Under Haptic Strength, toggle the switch of the “Prominent Haptic” to ON. Apple watch will give you a sample vibration of the new settings.
- Set a test Alarm to check if it is now functioning properly.
#3. Disable and re-enable wrist detection
Wrist detection is one of Apple watch features that automatically locks the watch when it’s not worn at the moment. If your Apple watch is unlocked whether the screen is asleep/awake, as long as it is on your wrist, then you will receive notifications on your watch. But due to a software glitch, it can cause Apple watch not vibrating for notifications and alarms, even when you are wearing it.
Disabling and re-enabling wrist detection can solve the problem.
- Open the Apple watch app on your linked iPhone.
- Tap on My watch option at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap on General to open the General option of My Watch App.
- Toggle the Wrist Detection switch to OFF.
- Click on Turn Off to confirm.
- Restart your Apple watch.
- Then re-enable the Wrist Detection following steps 1 to 4.
After that, go and check if your Apple watch is now vibrating for alarms and notifications.
#4. Create a silent alarm on iPhone
A software glitch might have triggered the Apple watch to “think” that the alarm has gone off on the linked iPhone. In that case, set-up a silent alarm on your iPhone to make your watch start vibrating for alarms and notifications.
- Open the Clock on the linked iPhone.
- Click the Alarm tab.
- Tap the + icon to add a new alarm.
- Set the Sound of the alarm to none /silent and save it.
- Open the Apple watch app.
- Tap My watch and then tap Clock.
- Turn on Push Alerts from iPhone.
Hopefully, your Apple watch will start vibrating for notifications and alarms.
If you’re wearing the Apple watch and you don’t feel a tap as you adjust the slider, it’s time to contact Apple Support.
Tip: The back of your Apple Watch needs skin contact to deliver the best Haptic result . However, reach out to Apple Support for further assistance if all the methods have failed you.