Send and reply to messages from Apple Watch

In the Messages app, you can compose and send text messages. You can reply within a conversation or to specific comments in a thread. When you receive a message requesting certain information, Messages provides a list of suggested responses that you can send. You can also choose a quick reaction—like thumbs up, or reply to a specific message in a conversation.

Start a conversation on Apple Watch

Go to the Messages app on your Apple Watch.
Tap at the top of the screen.
Tap Add Contact, then do one of the following:
- Choose a recent contact: Tap a contact from the list of recent conversations.
- Speak the name of a contact or dictate a phone number: Tap .
- Choose from your full list of contacts: Tap .
- Enter a phone number: Tap .
Tap Create Message, then enter your message.
Tap Done, then tap Send.

Reply to a message

Messages are grouped by conversation in the conversation list. A dot indicates you haven’t yet read one or more messages in that conversation.

Go to the Messages app on your Apple Watch.
Go to the conversation that you want to participate in.
Tap the text field, create your reply, then tap Send.

Reply to a specific message in a conversation

To help keep a conversation organized, you can respond to a specific message inline.

Go to the Messages app on your Apple Watch.
In a Messages conversation, do one of the following:
- Swipe right on the message that you want to reply to, then tap Reply.
- Double-tap the message that you want to reply to, scroll down, then tap Reply.
Create your reply, then tap Send.

Send a suggested reply

When you receive a message requesting certain information, Messages provides a list of suggested responses. For example, if someone wants to know where you are, Messages provides a list of possible responses, including one suggesting that you send your location in Find My.

Go to the Messages app on your Apple Watch.
In a Messages conversation, scroll down to see the suggestions.
Tap a reply to send it.

Apple Watch showing a conversation in the Messages app. A suggestion to share a location is at the bottom of the screen.

Send a quick reaction with a tapback

Go to the Messages app on your Apple Watch.
Double-tap a specific message in a conversation, then choose a Tapback—like a thumbs up or heart.

Helpful?

Apple Watch User Guide