Apple Watch Not Notifying Calls, But Phone Rings [Easy Fix]

Your Apple Watch is designed to make life easier, having one of the best features of notifying you about incoming calls even when your iPhone is in your pocket or on a table far away. But what if your iPhone rings and your Apple Watch stays silent? This can be frustrating, especially if you rely on your watch to stay connected.

Many Apple Watch users face this issue at some point, but don’t worry, the problem is not serious. It can usually be resolved by changing some settings, solving connectivity issues, or minor software glitches that can be fixed at home.

In this guide, we will explain why your Apple Watch is not ringing for incoming calls and walk you through step-by-step solutions.

Table of Contents

Why is my Apple Watch not ringing on incoming calls?

Before fixing the issue, it helps to understand why it happens. Here are the most common reasons your Apple Watch may not notify you when your phone rings.

Your Watch is not properly paired with the iPhone

Your Apple Watch must stay connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. If the connection is weak or broken, call notifications will not reach the watch.

Do Not Disturb or Focus mode is turned on

If Do Not Disturb or Focus mode is enabled on your iPhone or Apple Watch, calls may be silenced. Sometimes these modes sync across devices, which can confuse users.

Call notifications are disabled

Apple Watch has separate notification settings. If call notifications are turned off, the watch will not ring even though the phone does.

Bluetooth is turned off or unstable

Bluetooth is the primary connection between your iPhone and Apple Watch. If Bluetooth is off or not working properly, calls will not sync.

Silent mode is enabled on Apple Watch

Your Apple Watch may be in Silent Mode, which mutes all sounds, including call alerts.

Software issues or an outdated system

Bugs in watchOS or iOS can cause notification problems, especially if your devices are not updated.

Apple Watch is locked with a passcode

When your Apple Watch is locked and not on your wrist, some notifications may behave differently.

How to Fix the “Apple Watch not ringing on incoming calls” Issue?

Let us go through each solution step by step. Follow them for the best results.

Step 1: Check Bluetooth Connection

Open Settings on your iPhone.
Tap Bluetooth.
Make sure Bluetooth is turned ON.
Keep your Apple Watch close to your iPhone.

You can also swipe up on your Apple Watch to open Control Center and confirm that the phone icon is green. This means your watch is connected.

Step 2: Disable Do Not Disturb and Focus Mode

On iPhone:

Open Settings.
Tap Focus.
Turn off Do Not Disturb or any active Focus mode.

On Apple Watch:

Swipe up from the bottom of the watch face.
Tap the crescent moon icon.
Make sure it is turned off.

Step 3: Check Silent Mode on Apple Watch

Swipe up from the bottom of the watch screen.
Look for the bell icon.
If the bell icon is red, Silent Mode is ON.
Tap it to turn Silent Mode OFF.

Step 4: Enable Call Notifications on Apple Watch

Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
Tap Notifications.
Scroll down and tap Phone.
Select Mirror my iPhone.

This ensures that your watch follows the same call notification settings as your phone.

Step 5: Restart Both Devices

Restarting often fixes temporary glitches.

Restart iPhone:

Press and hold the power button.
Slide to power off.
Turn it back on after 30 seconds.

Restart Apple Watch:

Press and hold the side button.
Slide to power off.
Turn it back on after 30 seconds.

Step 6: Check Sound and Haptic Settings

Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
Tap Sounds and Haptics.
Increase the alert volume.
Turn on Haptic Alerts.
Enable Prominent Haptic for stronger vibrations.

Step 7: Update iOS and watchOS

Outdated software can cause notification bugs.

Update iPhone:

Open Settings.
Tap General.
Tap Software Update.
Install any available update.

Update Apple Watch:

Open the Watch app on iPhone.
Tap General.
Tap Software Update.
Install the update while the watch is charging.

Step 8: Check Wrist Detection

Open the Watch app.
Tap Passcode.
Make sure Wrist Detection is ON.

This helps the watch know when it is being worn.

Step 9: Reset Notification Settings

Open the Watch app.
Tap Notifications.
Turn off Mirror my iPhone.
Restart both devices.
Turn Mirror my iPhone back ON.

Step 10: Unpair and Re-pair Apple Watch

If nothing else works, this usually solves the problem.

Open the Watch app on iPhone.
Tap All Watches.
Tap the info icon next to your watch.
Tap Unpair Apple Watch.
Pair it again by following on screen instructions.

Right Steps to Pair Your Apple Watch to Your Phone?

If your Apple Watch is not paired correctly, call notifications may fail. Here is how to pair it the right way.

Step 1: Turn on Apple Watch

Press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

Step 2: Bring the iPhone Close to the Apple Watch

Keep your iPhone close to the watch. A pairing screen will appear automatically.

Step 3: Start Pairing

Tap Continue on your iPhone.
Choose Set Up for Myself.
Use your iPhone camera to scan the animation on the watch screen.

Step 4: Sign in with Apple ID

Enter your Apple ID and password if asked.

Step 5: Enable Required Settings

Allow permissions such as notifications, location services, and Siri.

Step 6: Create Passcode

Set a passcode for security and enable Wrist Detection.

Step 7: Wait for Sync to Complete

This may take a few minutes. Keep both devices close and connected to Wi-Fi.

FAQs

Why does my Apple Watch vibrate but not ring for calls?

Your watch may be in Silent Mode, or the volume may be low. Check Sound and Haptic settings.

Will the Apple Watch ring if the iPhone is locked?

Yes, as long as notifications and Bluetooth are working properly.

Does the Apple Watch need Wi-Fi to receive calls?

No. Bluetooth is enough when your phone is nearby. Wi-Fi or cellular helps when the phone is far away.

Why does my Apple Watch stop notifying calls randomly?

This is usually due to temporary Bluetooth issues or software bugs. Restarting both devices often fixes it.

Can third-party apps block call notifications?

Some Focus modes or call-blocking apps may interfere. Try disabling them temporarily.

Conclusion

When your Apple Watch fails to notify you of incoming calls, it can feel like a significant issue. In reality, it is usually caused by small settings issues, connectivity problems, or outdated software.

By checking Bluetooth, notification settings, Focus modes, and sound options, you can solve the issue in minutes. If nothing works, re-pairing the Apple Watch almost always restores normal behavior.

Your Apple Watch is a part of your daily wearables. With the right setup and regular updates, it will notify you reliably every time your phone rings.