The primary appeal of the Apple Watch is its ability to keep you connected without requiring you to pull out your iPhone. By default, watchOS is configured to seamlessly mirror every single notification that arrives on your phone. However, if you receive hundreds of emails, social media alerts, and group chat messages daily, this constant tapping on your wrist can quickly become an overwhelming distraction.
Why You Should Customise Your Notifications
To get the most out of your Apple Watch, it should be reserved for urgent alerts—things that require your immediate attention, such as phone calls, text messages from family, or calendar reminders. By stopping your watch from mirroring non-essential iPhone apps, you can drastically reduce digital fatigue and significantly improve the battery life of your smartwatch.
How to Stop App Mirroring Using the Watch App
You cannot change these settings directly on the Apple Watch itself; you must use the companion app on your iPhone.
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Ensure you are on the My Watch tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap on Notifications.
Managing Built-in Apple Apps
For native Apple applications (like Mail, Messages, or Calendar), the process requires selecting a specific setting:
- Tap on the app you wish to modify (e.g., Mail).
- By default, it will be set to Mirror my iPhone. Tap Custom.
- Select Notifications Off to completely stop alerts for this app on your wrist.
Managing Third-Party Apps
For third-party applications downloaded from the App Store (like WhatsApp, Instagram, or news apps), the process is even simpler:
- Scroll down the Notifications page until you reach the section titled Mirror iPhone Alerts From:
- You will see a list of every third-party app installed on your phone.
- Find the apps that are distracting you and toggle their switches to the Off position (grey).
These apps will still deliver notifications silently to your iPhone lock screen, but they will no longer vibrate your wrist or illuminate your Apple Watch screen.