Amazfit is testing a feature that could make iPhone notifications far more useful on its smartwatches. Instead of acting as a simple mirror for alerts, the new iOS Notification Forwarding system adds interaction directly from the wrist.
For iPhone users who have long faced limits on non-Apple wearables, the change is significant. The beta is currently limited to users in the European Union, and it aims to narrow the gap between Amazfit watches and the tighter notification experience usually seen in Apple’s own ecosystem.
Once enabled, the feature allows compatible watches to display the full contents of a message. Users can then reply, send a quick response, or mark the message as read without opening the phone.
More than just text alerts
Amazfit says the integration works with compatible apps, including WhatsApp. That makes the experience more practical for everyday communication, where many important conversations now happen inside messaging platforms.
The beta also goes beyond text by supporting image previews and visual alerts. In one example, a doorbell notification that includes a picture can appear on the watch screen and be checked immediately.
That ability gives the smartwatch a clearer role in daily use. It becomes a tool for understanding the context of an alert faster, rather than only signaling that something arrived.
| Beta Feature | What It Does | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full Message View | Shows the complete content of supported notifications | Available on compatible smartwatches |
| Reply and Quick Response | Lets users respond from the wrist | Also supports marking messages as read |
| Image Preview | Displays pictures inside supported alerts | Useful for visual notifications such as a doorbell alert |
Which watches get it first
The first beta wave is limited to three models: Cheetah 2 Ultra, Balance Ultra, and Balance 3. These devices are the initial group receiving support for iOS Notification Forwarding.
Amazfit also plans to expand the rollout to more models in the coming weeks or months. The list includes Bip Max, Active 3 Premium, Cheetah 2 Pro, T-Rex 3, T-Rex 3 Pro, T-Rex Ultra 2, and Balance 2.
| Rollout Stage | Models | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| First beta wave | Cheetah 2 Ultra, Balance Ultra, Balance 3 | Initial release |
| Planned expansion | Bip Max, Active 3 Premium, Cheetah 2 Pro, T-Rex 3, T-Rex 3 Pro, T-Rex Ultra 2, Balance 2 | Coming in the following weeks or months |
How the beta will be activated
The testing period starts on June 30, and Amazfit will roll out the updated Zepp App gradually through the iOS App Store. That means availability will depend on when the app update reaches each device.
Users who want to join the program must be running iOS 26.5 or later. After the app update is installed, a prompt should appear asking whether the new feature should be enabled.
If the prompt does not appear, the feature can still be turned on manually through Devices > Notifications > App Notifications. That gives beta participants two simple ways to activate the system once the required update is installed.
The broader significance lies in how Amazfit is reframing smartwatch notifications for iPhone users. The goal is no longer only to show alerts, but to make them immediately useful without reaching for the phone.
For everyday use, that can mean less interruption and faster decisions. Messages can be read in full, responses can be sent from the wrist, and even image-based alerts can be understood more quickly.
There are still limits, however. The beta is restricted to the European Union, and support begins with only a small set of watches before expanding to more devices later.
Because the feature is still in beta, the first phase will likely help Amazfit refine stability and usability before a wider release. For now, EU users with a supported iPhone and one of the approved watch models are the first to try the new notification approach.
