Snapchat Notifications on Apple Watch: Setup, Replies, Limits

A buzz on your wrist is handy when you're out and about, and for anyone running a small business or a creator account, it means you can spot a message without pulling your phone out. Snapchat has official steps for it, and they're a bit more specific than most guides let on.

This is based on Snapchat's help article about previewing and replying to chat notifications on Apple Watch, plus Snap's own announcement of the watch app. Menu names on your watch can vary slightly by software version.

What you need before Snapchat notifications work on Apple Watch

Snapchat's help centre lists the requirements. Check each one:

• An Apple Watch Series 4 or newer.
• watchOS 9 or newer.
• The latest version of the Snapchat app on your iPhone. Snapchat names version 13.35 or later.
• The Snapchat app downloaded on your Apple Watch.
• Snapchat notifications enabled on your Apple Watch, which you can confirm in the Watch app on your phone.

Switching on Snapchat alerts in the Watch app

1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Look for the Notifications section.
3. Find Mirror iPhone Alerts From.
4. Make sure Snapchat is selected there.

Snapchat's help article says this is where you confirm Snapchat is selected. Menu names can change between versions, so if you can't see exactly this wording, follow the nearest option for notifications.

Previewing a Snapchat chat notification on your wrist

Once everything is set up, Snapchat says that when you get a notification for a chat text message you can preview it by tapping the banner or by raising your wrist for a long-look view.

Replying to Snapchat from your Apple Watch

1. Open the notification by tapping the banner or raising your wrist.
2. Tap the Reply button.
3. Reply using scribble, dictation, the keyboard, or a suggested reply.

Snapchat says this sends a chat text message into the Chat. Snap's announcement also mentions that you can send an emoji.

What Snapchat on Apple Watch can't show you

Snapchat is clear that the watch is a limited experience:

• You can preview only the first 100 characters of a chat text notification.
• Previews come only from new, incoming notifications. You can't see older chat messages.
• You can't preview Snaps, images or videos from Memories or your camera roll, voice notes, or Stories and Spotlight.

To see the full conversation and everything else, Snapchat says to use the app on your phone or desktop. If someone sends you a spoken message, my guide to sending a voice message on Snapchat shows how those work.

Keeping Snapchat notifications private on your Apple Watch

A message appearing on your wrist can be seen by anyone beside you. Snapchat's help article says you can hide chat content until you tap it:

1. Go to the Watch app on your phone.
2. Tap Notifications.
3. Toggle on Tap to Show Full Notification.

The same article says you can customise the look and feel of notifications by controlling the Notifications Indicator and Summary Views.

Turning Snapchat notifications off on Apple Watch

If the buzzing is too much, Snapchat says you can turn the notifications off altogether by de-selecting Snapchat in the Mirror iPhone Alerts From section. That only affects the watch. You can still manage notifications inside Snapchat itself, and my guide to deleting messages on Snapchat is useful if a notification shows something you wish you hadn't sent.

When Snapchat notifications on Apple Watch are most useful

Snap's newsroom post about the watch app gives two everyday examples: replying here when you're meeting someone, and sending a quick reply without breaking stride while you're running. The idea is a short answer at a glance, not a full conversation.

For a creator or small business owner, that could mean seeing that a customer or collaborator has written while your hands are full at an event or in a shop. Keep replies short, and move to your phone for anything that needs attention, a photo, or a careful answer.

• Use the watch for quick text replies only.
• Switch to the phone for Snaps, Stories, voice notes and anything with an image.
• Keep Tap to Show Full Notification on if you're often around other people.

If Snapchat notifications aren't showing on your Apple Watch

Snapchat's help article doesn't give a troubleshooting list for this, so I'll keep to what it does tell you. Go back through the requirements in order:

1. Check your watch is a Series 4 or newer and is running watchOS 9 or newer.
2. Update Snapchat on your iPhone to the latest version.
3. Check the Snapchat app is downloaded on your watch.
4. Check Snapchat is selected under Mirror iPhone Alerts From in the Watch app.
5. Check notifications for Snapchat are enabled on your phone too, because Snapchat says Story notifications depend on them being on in your device's settings.

If it still doesn't work, contact Snapchat Support through the app's help centre.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get Snapchat notifications on my Apple Watch?

Install Snapchat on your watch and, in the Watch app on your iPhone, make sure Snapchat is selected under Mirror iPhone Alerts From.

Which Apple Watch do I need for Snapchat notifications?

Snapchat says an Apple Watch Series 4 or newer running watchOS 9 or newer, with the latest Snapchat app on your phone.

Can I reply to Snapchat from my Apple Watch?

Yes. Tap Reply on the notification and use scribble, dictation, the keyboard or a suggested reply.

Why can't I see Snaps on my Apple Watch?

Snapchat says you can only preview chat text. Snaps, images, videos, voice notes and Stories can't be previewed on the watch.

Can I hide the message on my watch until I tap it?

Yes. In the Watch app on your phone, tap Notifications and toggle on Tap to Show Full Notification.

How do I stop Snapchat alerts on my Apple Watch?

De-select Snapchat in the Mirror iPhone Alerts From section of the Watch app.