Read messages on Apple Watch (2024)

In the Messages app Read messages on Apple Watch (1) on AppleWatch, read incoming text messages, then reply using dictation, Scribble, emoji, or a prepared response; type a reply using the QWERTY and QuickPath keyboard (on supported models only, not available in all languages); or switch to your iPhone to type a response.

WARNING: For important information about avoiding distractions that could lead to dangerous situations, see Important safety information for AppleWatch.

Read a message on AppleWatch

  1. When you feel a tap or hear an alert sound telling you that a message has arrived, raise your AppleWatch to read it.

  2. Turn the Digital Crown to scroll to the bottom of the message.

  3. To jump to the top of the message, tap the top of the screen.

    Tip: You can tap a website link within a message to view web-formatted content optimized for AppleWatch. Double-tap to zoom in on the content.

If the message arrived a while ago, touch and hold the top of the screen, swipe down on the display to see the message notification, then tap it. To mark the message as read, scroll down, then tap Dismiss. To dismiss the notification without marking the message as read, press the Digital Crown.

Read messages on Apple Watch (2)

See when messages were sent

Tap a conversation in the Messages conversation list, then swipe left on a message in the conversation.

Mute or delete a conversation

  • Mute a conversation: Swipe left on the conversation in the Messages conversation list, then tap Read messages on Apple Watch (3).

  • Delete a conversation: Swipe left on the conversation in the Messages conversation list, then tap Read messages on Apple Watch (4).

Access photos, audio, music, and video in a message

Messages can contain photos, audio, and videos. To access them from your AppleWatch, follow these steps:

  • Photo: Tap the photo to view it, double-tap it to fill the screen, and drag it to pan. When you’re finished, tap Read messages on Apple Watch (5) in the top-left corner to return to the conversation.

    If you want to share the photo, tap it, tap Read messages on Apple Watch (6), then tap a sharing option—choose people you often exchange messages with, or tap Messages or Mail. To save the image to the Photos app on your iPhone, scroll past the sharing options, then tap Save Image. Or tap Create Watch Face to create a Kaleidoscope or Photos watch face with the image.

  • Audio clip: Tap the clip to listen.

    The clip is deleted after two minutes to save space—if you want to keep it, tap Keep below the clip. The audio remains for 30 days, and you can set it to remain longer on your iPhone: Go to Settings, tap Messages, scroll to Audio Messages, tap Expire, then tap Never.

  • Music: If someone has shared music from AppleMusic via Messages, tap the song, album, or playlist in the message to open and play it in the Music app on AppleWatch. (AppleMusic subscription required.)

  • Video: Tap a video in a message to start playing the video full-screen. Tap once to display the playback controls. Double-tap to zoom out and turn the Digital Crown to adjust the volume. Swipe or tap the Back button to return to the conversation.

    To save the video, open the message in the Messages app on your iPhone, and save it there.

Detect sensitive content

You can choose to detect and blur sensitive photos and videos before you view them on your AppleWatch.

  1. On your iPhone, go to Settings> Privacy & Security, then tap Sensitive Content Warning.

  2. Turn on Sensitive Content Warning, then make sure AirDrop, Messages, and Video Messages are turned on.

  3. To view the content after being warned, tap Show, then tap I’m Sure.

    To learn how to deal with sensitive content, tap Ways to Get Help.

Turning on this setting affects images and videos on iPhone as well as your AppleWatch.

Note: Apple doesn’t have access to the photos or videos.

Choose how to be notified of new messages

  1. Open the AppleWatch app on your iPhone.

  2. Tap My Watch, then tap Messages.

  3. Tap Custom to set options for how you want to be notified when you receive a message.

You won’t receive a notification if you’re using a Focus that doesn’t allow Messages notifications.

Read messages on Apple Watch (7)

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Read messages on Apple Watch (2024)

FAQs

Read messages on Apple Watch? ›

Check your iMessage settings

On your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages and make sure that iMessage is turned on. Then tap Send & Receive and make sure that you're using the same Apple ID that your Apple Watch is using. If you haven't signed in, sign in to iMessage with your Apple ID.

Why can't I read messages on my Apple Watch? ›

Check your iMessage settings

On your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages and make sure that iMessage is turned on. Then tap Send & Receive and make sure that you're using the same Apple ID that your Apple Watch is using. If you haven't signed in, sign in to iMessage with your Apple ID.

Can you read messages on Apple Watch without iPhone? ›

If your Apple Watch is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular

With a Wi-Fi or cellular connection, your Apple Watch can do the following things, even if your iPhone isn't with you. Make and answer phone calls. Send and receive messages.

How do I turn on read messages on Apple? ›

Open the Messages app on your iPhone. Tap a conversation, then tap the number or name of the person you're communicating with at the top of the conversation. Turn on Send Read Receipts.

How do I show message content on Apple Watch? ›

How to see all your unread Apple Watch notifications
  1. Touch and hold the top of the watch face to open Notification Center. ...
  2. Wait for Notification Center to show, then swipe down.
  3. Turn the Digital Crown to scroll, or swipe up and down on the watch face.
  4. Tap the notification to read it.
Apr 26, 2024

Can you see someone's text messages on an Apple Watch? ›

They can if they have the passcode to unlock the screen. If you take off the Apple Watch, it will auto lock and require the passcode to unlock. If a imessage comes in and someone is looking at the watch at the time, they may see it, but reviewing old messages without the passcode is not an option.

How to read Messages on a smart watch? ›

When you get a text message on your smartphone, you'll receive a notification on your Android smartwatch. Tap the message notification to read the message and reply to it.

What does mirror my iPhone mean on Apple Watch? ›

Apple Watch Mirroring allows you to see and control your Apple Watch screen from your paired iPhone. You can use touch or assistive features like Voice Control, Switch Control, and more on your iPhone to interact with Apple Watch.

What does mirror my iPhone mean? ›

To mirror your iPhone settings for your Apple Watch means to have the same settings you use on your iPhone on your Apple Watch. An example of this would be your notifications. If you choose to mirror the settings on your iPhone for notifications then those same settings are what your Apple Watch will use.

Can you read text on an Apple Watch without cellular? ›

Cellular is not required to make or take calls or send or receive messages. However, you will need either the paired iPhone nearby, or if the iPhone is not nearby, a Wifi connection for the watch, and for the paired iPhone to be on, and have a cellular data connection or wifi available as well.

Can you turn off read receipts on an Apple Watch? ›

On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch (tab) > Messages. Select Custom. Enable Show Alerts, Sound and Haptic as desired. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and turn off Send Read Receipts.

How to show when texts are read? ›

Message Read Receipts on Android

You can turn it on in your messaging app Settings. Click directly on Multimedia Messages, Text Messages, or open More Settings to see these options. Then, tap Chat Features to turn on Send read receipts. Once it is turned on, the checkmarks in your previous conversations will change.

Can Apple read my text messages? ›

End-to-end encryption

iMessage and FaceTime are designed so that there's no way for Apple to read your messages when they're in transit between devices. You can choose to automatically delete your messages from your device after 30 days or a year or keep them on your device indefinitely.

Can you read Messages on the Apple Watch Series 3? ›

Read text message on your Apple Watch Series 3 watchOS 4

Press the Digital Crown. Press the message icon. Press the required text message.

Why is my Apple Watch not opening text Messages when I raise my wrist? ›

If your Apple Watch doesn't wake when you raise your wrist, make sure you selected the proper wrist and watch orientation. If your Apple Watch doesn't wake when you tap the display or press or turn the Digital Crown, it may need charging.

Can you have Messenger on an Apple Watch? ›

If you are asking how to add it to Apple Watch, the answer is you can't. Meta, the company who owns Facebook and Messenger does NOT offer a Messenger app for Apple Watch. Feel free to contact Facebook and let them know you'd like to see an app for Apple Watch. Apple has no control here.

Why is my Apple Watch not opening text messages when I raise my wrist? ›

If your Apple Watch doesn't wake when you raise your wrist, make sure you selected the proper wrist and watch orientation. If your Apple Watch doesn't wake when you tap the display or press or turn the Digital Crown, it may need charging.

Why aren't my Messages showing up on my iPhone? ›

Make sure that your phone line is turned on. If you use multiple SIMs, make sure that the phone number you want to use is selected and turned on. In the Settings app, tap Messages. Turn iMessage off and then back on.

How to get keyboard on Apple Watch? ›

If you don't see the keyboard, swipe up from the bottom, then tap the Keyboard button. Use Scribble: Use your finger to write your message. To edit your message, turn the Digital Crown to move the cursor into position, then make your edit.

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