iMessage Sound Notification

[ab2c4]

This problem started for both my wife and I in April when we got new iphone 16 Pro's. Prior to getting the 16 Pro's whenever we would get a new iMessage our phones would play a sound notification AND our watches would notify us also. Now with the 16 Pro's we no longer get a sound notification for a new iMessage on the phone, only on our Apple watches. Upon testing today I found out that if I disabled iMessage notifications for my watch, only then would my iphone play the sound notification again. As soon as I re enabled iMessage notifications for my watch my phone stopped playing sound notifications for new iMessages.

This sucks. We liked being notified on both our phones and watches when we would get a new text notification, and not be forced to pick one or the other for iMessage notifications. Only for iMessages is this occurring, no other apps fortunately. Is their some secret setting on the 16's to allow iMessage notifications on both watch and phone? If not, my wife and I want our iphone 15's back lol.

Edit: after researching for hours I’m reading that this is how it’s supposed to work, but I’m telling you both my wife and I insist it never worked like this on our iPhone 11, 13, and 15’s. Very poor design decision. I’m getting more and more frustrated with Apple and at least for me, not my wife at the moment, going back to Samsung is looking better and better as time goes on.

 

[russell_314]

I’m getting more and more frustrated with Apple and at least for me, not my wife at the moment, going back to Samsung is looking better and better as time goes on.

You’re absolutely right this is the way it’s intended to work. If you have your watch on, then you’re going to get the notification on your watch. Apple, for some reason in their infinite wisdom decided that having a second notification didn’t make sense.

The grass always looks greener on the other side. When you get the Samsung, you’re going to be frustrated with different things. Not saying don’t try it because I’ve done that before. It’s always good to try new things.

 

[4sallypat]

Agree - very bad choice by Apple to not alert on both AW and iPhone.

I hate it because when I get home, I put the AW in the bedroom charger and my phone I keep with me.

Never getting an audible alert for iMessage, phone calls, SMS, etc is a PAIN.

 

[NoBoMac]

it never worked like this on our iPhone 11, 13, and 15’s

SE 2020, current 13 Mini, AW 3, SE, 10, has always worked this way for me.

Now, maybe I'm missing it in OP, but there is also locked vs unlocked phone. If using the phone, Notification goes to phone, but if on lock screen will go to Watch.

And similar if you have a Focus on. Settings > Focus > [Focus name] > Notification Options > Silence Notifications. "Always" or "While Locked".

 

[ab2c4]

SE 2020, current 13 Mini, AW 3, SE, 10, has always worked this way for me.

Now, maybe I'm missing it in OP, but there is also locked vs unlocked phone. If using the phone, Notification goes to phone, but if on lock screen will go to Watch.

And similar if you have a Focus on. Settings > Focus > [Focus name] > Notification Options > Silence Notifications. "Always" or "While Locked".

With our previous phones we would be wearing our watch and the alert still came through to our locked phones. That’s why we both thought it was weird when we got 16 Pro’s.

Is it what it is, we shall live. One day it will be on my list as to why I went back to Samsung. Already have the 16 Pro so I am not going to throw away money, but wait my time until it’s time to upgrade.

 

[4sallypat]

Hoping the 17 lineup restores that dual notification!