Missing notifications because your Apple Watch taps are too gentle? You can make the vibrations (haptics) stronger and more noticeable in a couple of ways: turn on Prominent haptics, which adds an extra “pre-announce” tap before common alerts, and make sure haptic alerts are on and not muted by Focus or Silent Mode. This guide covers the settings on the watch and in the iPhone Watch app.
Quick Answer
On your iPhone, open the Watch app, tap Sounds & Haptics, make sure Haptic Alerts is on, and select Prominent. Or on the watch, open Settings > Sounds & Haptics, turn on Haptic Alerts, and choose Prominent.
Turn On Prominent Haptics
From your iPhone
- Open the Watch app and tap the My Watch tab.
- Tap Sounds & Haptics.
- Turn on Haptic Alerts.
- Choose Prominent instead of Default.
On the Apple Watch
- Press the Digital Crown and open Settings.
- Tap Sounds & Haptics.
- Turn on Haptic Alerts and select Prominent.
Apple doesn’t offer a numeric strength slider on current watchOS versions. Prominent is the strongest option. Some older watchOS versions had a Haptic Strength slider in the same place; if you see it, drag it to the right.
Make Sure Alerts Aren’t Muted
- Focus / Do Not Disturb: Swipe up (or press the side button on newer watchOS) to open Control Center and turn off any Focus (moon or other icon).
- Silent Mode: Silent Mode mutes sounds but haptics still work, as long as Haptic Alerts is on.
- Per-app notifications: In the iPhone Watch app, tap Notifications, choose the app, and make sure it’s set to Mirror my iPhone or custom settings with Haptic on.
- Wrist detection: The watch sends notifications to your wrist only when it’s unlocked and on your wrist. Keep Wrist Detection on in Settings > Passcode.
- iPhone in use: When you’re actively using your iPhone, notifications go to the phone instead of the watch.
Other Ways to Notice Alerts
- Increase alert volume in Sounds & Haptics if you’re not in a quiet setting.
- Wear the watch snugly: A loose band dampens the taps. It should be snug but comfortable, just above the wrist bone.
- Crown Haptics and System Haptics add clicks when you turn the Digital Crown or use the interface; they don’t affect alert strength.
Summary
- Open Sounds & Haptics in the Watch app or on the watch.
- Turn on Haptic Alerts and choose Prominent.
- Turn off Focus modes and check per-app notification settings.
- Wear the watch snugly so you feel every tap.
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.