iOS – Setting up the Kardena app correctly

To ensure your Kardena smartwatch can properly connect to your iPhone, the app requires various permissions.

Missing or disabled permissions can lead to connection issues, missed notifications or synchronisation problems.

ℹ️ Note:
The exact names and locations of individual settings may vary depending on the iOS version you're using.

1. Turn on Bluetooth

Go to:
Settings → Bluetooth
Make sure Bluetooth is switched on.
Then open the app for your Kardena smartwatch and check the connection status there.

⚠️ Important:
When setting up your Kardena smartwatch for the first time, don't connect it directly via the iPhone's Bluetooth menu. he actual setup should be carried out using the app that comes with the smartwatch.

2. Check the app’s Bluetooth permissions

For the app to communicate with your Kardena smartwatch, it needs access to Bluetooth.

Go to:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Bluetooth
Check that Bluetooth access is enabled for the app you are using.

3. Allow notifications

To ensure that notifications work properly, the relevant notification settings should be enabled.

Go to:
Settings → Notifications
Select the app you want, for example WhatsApp or Messages, and check its settings.
Then, within the smartwatch app, check which apps or types of notifications should be forwarded to your Kardena smartwatch.

ℹ️ Note:
If a notification is already disabled or restricted on your iPhone, this can also affect how it appears on your smartwatch.

4. Check background refresh

To ensure the app you’re using can run in the background, check:
Settings → General → Background App Refresh

Make sure that background app refresh iis enabled by default, and that it hasn't been disabled for the app you're using.

💡 Tip:
If the connection or data syncing only works again after you've opened the app on your iPhone, it's worth checking background app refresh in particular.

5. Check Focus and "Do Not Disturb"

iOS offers various Focus modes, such as:

• Do Not Disturb
• Sleep
• Work
• Personal
• custom Focus modes

An active focus mode can affect which notifications are shown.

Go to:
Settings → Focus
and check whether a Focus is active, and which apps or people are allowed through.

6. Check power-saving mode

The iPhone’s power-saving mode can reduce background activity.

Go to:
Settings → Battery
and check whether Low Power Mode is switched on.

If you're experiencing connection or syncing issues, try switching off Low Power Modeo and check whether the problem persists.

7. Check permissions after an iOS update

After major iOS or app updates, it's worth checking the smartwatch app's permissions again.
In particular, check:

• Bluetooth
• Notifications
• Background app refresh
• location access, if applicable

ℹ️ Note:
iOS may prompt you again about certain privacy or permission settings after an update. Please confirm the permissions needed for the smartwatch app accordingly.

8. Completely reset the connection

If problems persist:

1. Open the smartwatch app you're using.
2. Remove or unpair the Kardena smartwatch within the app.
3. Go to Settings → Bluetooth.
4. Look for any existing entries for your Kardena smartwatch.
5. Tap the ⓘ icon next to the relevant entry.
6. Select Forget this device.
7. Restart your iPhone.
8. Restart your Kardena smartwatch.
9. Open the smartwatch app.
10. Run the device search and reconnect the smartwatch.

⚠️ Important:
For Kardena models with Bluetooth calling, there may be additional Bluetooth connections for calls or audio. When setting the connection up from scratch, be sure to remove these old connections too, if present.

9. Narrow down the problem

If problems persist, narrowing down the issue based on the type of error can help:

The smartwatch doesn't connect at all
→ Check the Bluetooth permission and re-pair the device via the app.

The connection works, but notifications are missing
→ Check notifications, Focus modes and the notification settings within the smartwatch app.

Synchronisation only works after opening the app
→ Check background refresh and power-saving mode.

Calls don't work
→ Check whether your Kardena model requires an additional Bluetooth connection for calling.

💡 Tip for Support:
If the problem persists, please let us know the Kardena model, iPhone model, installed iOS version, and the app you're using. This will allow us to narrow down the problem faster.

Updated on: 09/09/2026