The Apple Watch allows you to view and respond to messages right from your wrist. With the Messages app on Apple Watch, you can send and receive text messages, interact with group messages, and communicate with friends and family without needing your iPhone nearby. Replying to messages on Apple Watch is quick, easy, and convenient with features like dictation, Smart Replies, Tapbacks, and more. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to view and respond to messages directly on your Apple Watch.
Viewing Messages on Apple Watch
When you get a new text message or iMessage on your iPhone, you’ll see the notification pop up on your Apple Watch as well. The message preview will display on your watch face or when you raise your wrist. Tapping on the message notification will open the Messages app on your Apple Watch and display the full contents of the message.
You can also open the Messages app manually to view recent messages. The app shows your recent conversations with contacts, with the most recent messages at the top. Tap on any conversation to see the full exchange with that contact. Scroll up and down to view all messages and replies.
By default, Apple Watch displays message notifications and content when your paired iPhone is on and connected. With WatchOS 5 and later, your watch can store messages in local storage and allow you to read them even when your iPhone isn’t nearby. This requires that Messages in iCloud is enabled on both devices.
Replying to Messages
Apple Watch makes it simple and convenient to quickly respond to messages directly from your wrist. There are a few different ways to reply to messages on Apple Watch:
Dictation
One of the easiest ways to respond to messages on Apple Watch is using dictation. To use dictation, simply tap on a conversation in the Messages app, then tap on the microphone icon. The assistant will begin listening to your speech. Speak your reply aloud clearly and accurately. Once done, tap on the send icon or say “send” to deliver the message.
Smart Replies
For quick one-tap responses, you can use Smart Replies on Apple Watch. After viewing a received message, you’ll see three generated Smart Reply options below the message. Tap on one of these options to instantly send it as your response. The options are context-specific, based on the message received.
Emojis
You can reply to messages using emojis as well. After viewing a message, scroll down through the emoji picker to select the perfect emoji to express your reaction. Tap on an emoji to send it immediately.
Dictation + Draw
With dictation and draw, you can handwrite letters, numbers, and shapes which get converted into text. It’s ideal for responding with a more personal touch. To use this, tap the scribble icon after viewing a message. Speak your reply while you draw the shapes on the Apple Watch screen. Your scribbles will be sent as text.
Preset Messages
For quick canned responses, you can send preset messages on Apple Watch. Scroll to the bottom of the message screen and tap on the preset replies icon. Choose from default options like “OK”, “Thanks”, “On my way”, etc. This makes responding fast and simple if a saved response fits the context.
Tapbacks
With Tapbacks on Apple Watch, you can quickly send reactions and acknowledgements on iMessages. After opening a conversation, swipe left on a message. Choose from heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, ha ha, exclamation point, question mark, or two exclamation points. The Tapback icon will be sent to indicate your response.
Dictating Longer Responses
In addition to short replies, you can also dictate longer, more detailed responses by message dictation on Apple Watch. Tap the microphone icon, then speak your entire message. Once done dictating, tap send or say “send”. There is no character limit for dictated responses.
Customizing Messages on Apple Watch
There are a few different settings you can customize for the Messages experience on your Apple Watch:
Notifications
You can control when and how you see notifications for new messages. Open the Apple Watch app on iPhone and go to Notifications. Tap on Messages to customize these options:
– Allow Notifications: Toggle on/off overall
– Notification Type: Banner, List, or Alerts
– Show on Wrist Raise: Enable/disable
– Sound: Choose vibration, chime, or silent
Default Replies
Create custom default replies that appear in the preset responses menu:
– On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement
– Tap the + and enter a phrase and shortcut
– That shortcut will appear as a default reply option on Apple Watch
Hide Message Previews
You can choose to hide the content of notifications on your lock screen. Enable this in Watch app > Notifications > Show Alerts. This displays sender but hides message text.
Messages in iCloud
As mentioned before, enabling Messages in iCloud allows you to view all messages on your watch when your iPhone isn’t in range. Turn this on in Settings on both devices.
Replying to Messages from Contacts
On Apple Watch, you can seamlessly carry on conversations directly from your wrist with all types of contacts, including:
Text Messages
You can reply to SMS and MMS messages from non-Apple device users. Green text message bubbles indicate these standard text conversations.
iMessages
For other Apple users, you can reply to blue iMessages. This includes read receipts, Tapbacks, high-quality attachments, and more.
Group Chats
When someone mentions you or replies to a group you’re part of, you can view the full conversation and respond right from your watch.
Emails
If you have the Mail app installed on your Apple Watch, you can also reply to emails directly from incoming notifications. Dictate longer responses or choose from available Smart Replies.
So whether it’s an important text, quick reaction to a group chat, or email from a colleague, you have full messaging capabilities right on your wrist with Apple Watch.
Replying to Messages on WatchOS vs. watchOS
The core functionality for viewing and responding to messages is similar across watchOS versions. However, there are some differences:
WatchOS 8
– Supports dictating messages up to 30 seconds long
– New Contacts found in Messages are synced to your iPhone
– Mute notifications per thread in Messages
– Added support for Messages in iCloud sync
WatchOS 9
– Improved dictation accuracy with on-device processing
– Edit dictated messages by tapping to edit inline
– View message timestamps by swiping left on bubble
– Share heart rate data in Digital Touch messages
– Runs only on Apple Watch Series 4 or later
So newer watchOS versions provide more seamless sync, better dictation, and more ways to interact with messages from your wrist.
Troubleshooting Message Issues
If you encounter problems viewing or responding to messages on your Apple Watch, here are some troubleshooting tips:
Ensure Apple Watch is paired to iPhone
Apple Watch requires pairing and connectivity with iPhone to relay messages. Make sure they are paired properly via Bluetooth in range.
Check Notifications Settings
Verify notifications for the Messages app are enabled on your Apple Watch. Customize notification settings in the Watch app on your iPhone.
Force Quit Messages App
If Messages is acting buggy, force quit the app by long-pressing the side button and swiping up on the app screen. Then re-launch Messages.
Ensure WatchOS is Up to Date
Make sure your Apple Watch is on the latest watchOS version, which provides bug fixes and optimizes messaging. Update watchOS in the Watch app.
Toggle Messages in iCloud
If having issues with Messages in iCloud sync, try turning the feature off and back on for your iPhone and Apple Watch.
Contact Apple Support
For additional help, contact Apple Support via chat or phone. Support can run diagnostics and provide customized troubleshooting tips.
Conclusion
The ability to easily view and respond to notifications right from your wrist makes the Apple Watch an incredibly useful messaging device. Whether you’re responding to a quick text, sending an emoji reaction, or dictating a lengthy email, messaging from Apple Watch is seamless. With proper setup and troubleshooting, you can stay connected on-the-go directly from your Apple Watch without needing your iPhone nearby.