iMessage bugs on Watch SE3 with iOS 26

Question

iMessage bugs on Watch SE3 with iOS 26

I have been encountering a several issues in iMessage with the latest watch/os.

When I receive a notification about a message in iMessage, I can't just dismiss it on my watch. If I try to tap the floating "Dismiss" button, it clicks through it and sends an automatic response instead. I have this happen every time, not just a one-off.
When I receive a notification about a message in iMessage, the order of messages back and forth between me and the recipient are not in the correct order. The order is somehow being completely mixed up.
When I receive a notification about a message in iMessage, a lot of the time it will do some crazy scroll through a bunch of earlier messages instead of just displaying the new message I just received.
When I receive a notification about a message in iMessage, I am unable to actually scroll to the bottom of possible responses using the touch screen. I have to actually use the crown scroll wheel to reach the bottom of automatic responses and language option.
When I receive a notification about a message in iMessage, there are many times that sync is not working properly between my iPhone and the watch. Many times, there are messages that exist on my iPhone that are nowhere to be found on the watch.

Please fix these issues. It's extremely unrefined and frustrating. Not the level of quality I would expect from Apple.

Apple Watch SE 3, watchOS 26

Posted on Sep 22, 2025 12:08 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Kilgore-Trout

Level 8

38,161 points

Sep 22, 2025 12:51 PM in response to BrentonWisniewski

This is a user-to-user support forum. You are NOT addressing anyone from Apple that can fix your issues, as you put it.

Since it appears you have a new device that is under warranty, you may want to start here ( Apple Watch - Official Apple Support) and see what your support options are, including direct contact with Apple. If you check the online user guide, you should also see instructions for resetting the watch to factory settings and setting it up again. Odds are pretty good that will resolve many of your issues.

If all you wish to do is rant, you can do that here: Product Feedback - Apple

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Answer 2

Oct 31, 2025 9:15 AM in response to BrentonWisniewski

I have the same issues as the OP, since the IOS 26 update.

no longer can I mark the message as read by swiping away the notification, when I do this now, the notification goes away but the message is still unread. I have to scroll all the way down past the preset responses and press dismiss.
When I receive a new message notification, the notification not only includes the new message but also five or more old messages that have already been read.

Is anyone else experiencing these "bugs", I can only imagine they are bugs not the way it should work.

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Answer 3

Nov 13, 2025 4:59 PM in response to Mgdis4me82

I am having similar issues. When I receive a message notification on my watch and review it and then dismiss it still shows unread on the watch. Also when I receive a sms/rms message and read it on my watch, it still showing unread on my iPhone. This only starting happening with watchOS 26. I hope Apple fixes these issues with the next software update because it’s very aggravating.

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