To enable notification privacy on your Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch > Notifications and turn on Tap to Show Full Notification (called Notification Privacy on older watchOS versions). When you raise your wrist, you’ll see only which app sent the alert; the details appear after you tap the notification. You can also find it on the watch in Settings > Notifications.
Quick Answer
iPhone Watch app > My Watch > Notifications > Tap to Show Full Notification: On.
Steps on the iPhone
- Open the Watch app.
- Tap My Watch, then Notifications.
- Turn on Tap to Show Full Notification (or Notification Privacy).
Steps on the Watch
- Press the Digital Crown and open Settings.
- Tap Notifications.
- Turn on Tap to Show Full Notification.
Related Privacy Options
| Setting | Effect |
|---|---|
| Tap to Show Full Notification | Hides alert details until you tap |
| Wrist Detection | Locks the watch when you take it off |
| Passcode | Required to unlock after removing the watch |
| Per-app notifications | Turn off alerts for sensitive apps entirely |
Troubleshooting
- Setting not found: Names vary by watchOS version; look for Notification Privacy or Tap to Show Full Notification.
- Too many alerts: See turning off Activity notifications.
- Screen waking when you look: See stopping the screen waking on wrist raise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this affect my iPhone?
No. It only changes how the watch shows notifications.
Will I still feel a tap?
Yes. Haptic alerts still arrive; only the details are hidden.
Can I hide details for one app only?
The privacy switch applies to all apps. For one app, turn off or customise its notifications.
Summary
- Open the Watch app > Notifications.
- Turn on Tap to Show Full Notification.
- Or set it on the watch itself.
- Use a passcode and wrist detection for extra privacy.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.