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May 06, 2015

Apple Watch: Problems with Digital Touch probably due to iMessage settings

We've noticed some Apple Watch users are having issues with Digital Touch. Digital Touch refers to the sketches, tappings, and heartbeat patterns that Apple Watch users can send to each other. Many users are finding the communication is only one-way, that one partner may create and send a Digital Touch, but the other never receives it, or any indication that one was sent.

Sad Digital Touch

The problem is compounded by the fact that regular text messaging works fine, so it *seems* like everything is A-OK. The little finger on the communication screen also shows up, indicating that all is well for a Digital Touch transmission, but alas, any sketch or tap or heartbeat one sends is not getting through.

The frustration is exacerbated because the little drawings and taps people are trying to send to their loved ones are all unique and personal. If the receiver never gets them, or any indication one was sent, it's heartbreak all around. They are not stored anywhere either, so all those tiny masterpieces of light and touch are gone forever.

Users in the Apple Discussion Forums have narrowed it down to iMessage settings. Fixes usually involve unchecking iMessage options, deleting old messages, then initiating a new Digital Touch.

User dabilo posted his solution here.
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"The issue was indeed with iMessage. I set up my iMessage to only use my custom email address as apple ID since I really don't like my @icloud / @me one. Here is what we did:

1.Go into iMessage settings
2.Make sure the @icloud and @me addresses are enabled. They don't have to be the primary ones you send messages with, but they have to be enabled.
3.Put these addresses in the contact on the other phone
4. Delete message history on the watch. You don't need to touch the stuff that's on your phone.
5. Send an initial message from the watch and use the @icloud address as target
6.Send the DT

We set the @icloud / @me addresses as primary as a test and once the initial DT arrived switched it back to what it was before. My theory is that it is because I disabled these in my iMessage settings."
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Changes like this worked for us, but then I found later the same day that DT's weren't getting through again. I had to go back and fiddle some more. Arrrg!. Good luck folks, let's hope Apple addresses this soon! May all your sketches and taps go through!

Posted by Snaggy at May 6, 2015 07:28 AM