If you have noticed that your Apple Watch is not syncing messages with your iPhone, It’s either your Apple watch data is taking a long time to sync or is not showing up at all, here are a few troubleshooting steps to apply and fix the issue.
Why is Apple watch not syncing messages?
There are different reasons the Apple watch is not syncing messages. But this occurs mostly when certain important features are not on like the Bluetooth or the mirroring option is not active. It can also be a general syncing problem between your devices. But we bring you troubleshooting steps.
How to fix Apple watch not syncing messages
#1. Restart your Apple Watch & iPhone
Restarting the Apple watch can fix common issues like software bugs, connection issues, and other problems. Restart the Apple watch and see if that helps to solve the problem.
- Press and hold the side button of your A until the power options menu appears.
- On your Apple Watch, press and hold the side button until the power options menu appears.
#2. Ensure Apple Watch is unlocked
First check if your Apple Watch’s passcode is active. If not, unlock it.
#3. Ensure “Do Not Disturb” is not enabled
If you turn on the Do Not Disturb feature for either your Apple Watch or iPhone, it won’t mirror the other. deactivate it if it is on, by swiping up from the bottom of your Apple Watch’s home screen and ensure the moon-shaped icon is not blue.
The Do Not Disturb button is in the Control Center On your iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to access it.
#4. Update both Apple watch and iPhone
Software updates in any device helps to fix bugs and software glitches, therefore keep your devices updated at all times. Your Apple Watch and iPhone simply needs software updates to stay connected and sync properly.
Here’s how to update software :
- Go to the Settings app.
- Tap General.
- Select Software Update.
- Tap Download on a new update and Install it.
On Apple watch:
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Tap General.
- Select Software Update.
- Download the available update and Install.
If Apple Watch update requires you to update the iPhone software first, you will find a message below in that regard. Install the iPhone software update first before updating your Apple Watch software.
#5. Disable airplane mode
Airplane Mode stops your iPhone and Apple Watch from transmitting data to each other; if it’s on, both devices won’t be able to communicate. Check the Control Centers of both devices to see if the airplane icon is active, turn it off if it is.
#6. Ensure Bluetooth is enabled
Apple Watch and iPhone use Bluetooth to communicate with each other, so ensure Bluetooth is also active. Check the control centre too to activate it.
#7. Turn on Wi-Fi
The Wi-Fi also helps the phone and watch to communicate because they will be on the same local network. Go to the Control Center and double-check that Wi-Fi is on for both devices.
#8. Mirroring must be on
The mirroring option also ensures that the Apple watch and iPhone can sync messages to each other.
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and select Messages.
- Select Mirror my iPhone at the top of the next screen.
If the mirroring option is already active, turn it off and then turn it back on.
#9. Reset the connection
Power off your Apple Watch and iPhone. Turn the iPhone back on, followed by the Apple Watch to reset their connection.
#10. Reset sync data
- Select General in the Watch app on your iPhone, you will find it if you scroll down.
- select Reset in the next screen.
- Select Reset Sync Data, so that the app will purge the sync data from your Apple Watch and then reset it. This can fix the issue.
#11. Unpair and re-pair your Apple watch
As a last resort you can unpair and repair the Apple watch to fix the issue. This means you will delete all of the data on your watch and then start over from scratch.
- Launch the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Go to the top left corner and select All Watches.
- Click the information (i) icon to the right of your Apple Watch.
- Select Unpair Apple Watch on the next screen, and then confirm.
This process will take some minutes, your watch will restart after, then follow the steps on screen to re-pair the two devices. After doing that check if the Apple watch is now syncing messages.
#12. Contact Apple support
Apple Watch may be having a hardware issue which you won’t be able to solve on your own. Reach out to Apple support for help.