If notifications are not appearing on your Samsung Galaxy Watch, the issue is usually caused by connection, permissions, notification settings, Do Not Disturb modes, or app settings on the phone.
Step 1: Check the watch is connected to your phone
- Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone.
- Check that the watch shows as connected.
- If it is disconnected, make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
- Keep the phone and watch close together.
- Restart both the phone and watch.
Notifications usually require the watch and phone to be paired and connected.
Step 2: Check notification settings in Galaxy Wearable
- Open the Galaxy Wearable app.
- Tap Watch settings.
- Tap Notifications.
- Make sure notifications are turned on.
- Tap App notifications.
- Choose which apps are allowed to send notifications to the watch.
If only certain apps are missing, make sure those specific apps are enabled.
Step 3: Check phone notification settings
The watch can only show notifications that the phone is allowed to receive.
On your phone:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Notifications.
- Select the app that is not sending alerts.
- Make sure notifications are allowed.
- Check lock screen, banner, sound and silent notification settings.
Step 4: Check Do Not Disturb, Sleep Mode and Theatre Mode
Notifications may be blocked or silenced if certain modes are active.
Check both the phone and the watch for:
- Do Not Disturb.
- Sleep Mode.
- Theatre Mode.
- Focus modes.
- Bedtime modes.
Turn these off and test notifications again.
Step 5: Check notification behaviour settings
Some Samsung settings control when watch notifications appear.
In the Galaxy Wearable app, check whether notifications are set to show:
- When the phone is not in use.
- When the phone is locked.
- On both phone and watch.
The exact options can vary by model and software version.
Step 6: Check battery optimisation settings
Battery saving settings on the phone can stop background apps from sending notifications properly.
Check that the following apps are not being heavily restricted:
- Galaxy Wearable.
- Galaxy Watch plug-in.
- Samsung Accessory Service.
- Samsung Health, if health notifications are affected.
- Any app that is not sending notifications.
Step 7: Update the apps and software
Update:
- Galaxy Wearable app.
- Galaxy Watch plug-in.
- Samsung Accessory Service.
- The affected app, such as WhatsApp, Gmail or Messages.
- Watch software.
- Phone software.
After updating, restart both devices and test again.
Step 8: Remove and reconnect if needed
If notifications still do not work:
- Restart the phone and watch.
- Remove the watch from the phone’s Bluetooth list.
- Reconnect it through the Galaxy Wearable app.
- Test notifications again.
Avoid pairing only through the phone’s Bluetooth settings. Galaxy Watches should normally be connected through the Galaxy Wearable app.