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MikeTegv
User level: Level 1 (0 points)

Apple Watch Series 11 receives unknown call notifications despite iPhone settings

My Apple Watch (Series 11 Watch OS 27.0) is generating notifications for incoming calls from my iPhone (iPhone 15 Pro Max iOS 27.0). On my phone, unknown calls are set to screen (no ring, no notification). I still receive notifications (dings) on my watch. I’ve tried Phone settings in the Apple Watch to ‘mirror my iPhone’ and custom with ‘notifications off’. The behavior continues. This may just be a bug with either iOS 27 or Watch OS 27 since that’s when it started.

Posted on Sep 23, 2026 9:14 AM

2 replies

WheelieNick
User level: Level 9 (74,110 points)

Oct 17, 2026 1:37 PM in response to MikeTegv

Hi there


Please try this


  • Check Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone: Go to Settings > Phone, scroll down to Silence Unknown Callers, and make sure it is toggled On. (Sometimes toggling this off and back on resets the system state).
  • Configure Phone App in Watch Settings:
    1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
    2. Tap My Watch > Phone.
    3. Instead of "Mirror my iPhone", switch to Custom and select Send to Notification Center or disable alerts if available. 
  • Disable Incoming Calls Handoff (or Allow Calls on iPhone only): Check Settings > Phone > Calls on Other Devices on your iPhone and turn off your Apple Watch so calls don't push over to the wrist.
  • Toggle Focus Mode / Do Not Disturb: Ensure a Focus mode (like Do Not Disturb or a custom work/personal mode) is actively synced between your iPhone and Apple Watch so that silenced calls are suppressed on both devices simultaneously. 
  • Restart Both Devices: Power off both your iPhone 15 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 11, then turn them back on to clear stale Bluetooth/Wi-Fi handoff caches. 


MikeTegv Author
User level: Level 1 (0 points)

Oct 29, 2026 8:09 AM in response to WheelieNick

I have gone through these suggestions and continue to receive a sound notification on my watch. As you can see from this screen shot, my watch has phone notifications off, yet they persist.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256363553