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How to Turn Off Read Receipts for Apple Watch Only

Quick Tips
  • A message will be marked as read when you view it on your Apple Watch. It will also be shown as ‘read’ on your iPhone.
  • Don’t worry – simply viewing the message in the notifications on your Apple Watch won’t mark it as read.
  • To send read receipts only when you read the message on your iPhone: Open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to Messages, select Custom, and disable Send Read Receipts.

How Does Apple Watch Mark Texts as Read?

There’s a common misconception that the Apple Watch sends read receipts when you view the message in the notifications. That isn’t true – even if you view the message in its entirety in the notification, a message will be marked as read-only when you open it on your Apple Watch.

If You Read Message on Apple Watch Does It Show Read on iPhone?

By default, the message will be marked as read when you view it on your Apple Watch. It will also be shown as ‘read’ on your iPhone.

However, you can configure read receipts to be sent only when you read the message on your iPhone, but not on your Apple Watch.

Turn Off Read Receipts on Apple Watch Only

Step 1: Open the Watch app on your iPhone. Scroll down the list of options. Tap on Messages.

Step 2: Tap on Custom. This lets you create separate settings for messages on your iPhone and Apple Watch.

Step 3: Turn off the toggle for Send Read Receipts.

Also Read: How to make your Apple Watch vibrate for notifications.

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Last updated on 19 May, 2024

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