What to Know
- You may need to update iOS on your iPhone before a watchOS update becomes available
- Low battery, no Wi-Fi connection, and not enough storage space can all cause update issues
- Unpairing and re-pairing your watch and iPhone will usually fix Apple Watch not updating when other fixes don't work
Your Apple Watch is incredibly useful, and the best way to get the most out of it is to ensure it’s regularly updated. When you keep your Apple Watch up-to-date, you’ll have access to the latest features and watch faces, as well as improved security for your device. That means that it can be frustrating if you ever run into an issue where your Apple Watch won’t update. Luckily, we are here to help. In this article, we’ll go over possible reasons why your Apple Watch is not updating and how to fix it.
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Why Won’t My Apple Watch Update?
Before we get into the more in-depth solutions, you may want to try some of the quick fixes below to see if they help mitigate the problem.
- Press the side button (NOT the Digital Crown) to bring up the Control Center on your Apple Watch and confirm that your Watch and iPhone are connected. A green iPhone icon at the top indicates they are connected. A red iPhone icon with a slash through it indicates they are disconnected.
- In the Control Center, check your Watch’s battery. Updating requires that your device has at least 50% charge.
- Confirm that your Watch and iPhone are both connected to Wi-Fi.
- Restart both your iPhone and Apple Watch and try checking for an update again.
How to Fix When Apple Watch Won’t Update
If the above quick fixes did not work, there are a couple of reasons that might contribute to your Apple Watch not updating. Below you can find solutions to these common issues.
Update iPhone First
Many users run into the issue of their Apple Watch not updating because their iPhone is not on the latest version of iOS, which is needed before you can install the latest watchOS update. In this case, the solution is very simple. You simply need to update your iPhone first. For more Apple Watch troubleshooting tips and tricks, check out our free Tip of the Day newsletter. Now, here's how to check if there's an update on your iPhone:
- Open the Settings app, and tap General.
![iphone settings with a red box around general]()
- Tap Software Update.
![iphone general settings with a red box around software update]()
- If there is an update available, tap Update Now.
![iphone software update screen with a red box around update now]()
Your Apple Watch should be able to update now, as long as the device has more than 50% power and is connected to Wi-Fi
Unpairing Apple Watch & Re-pairing
If your Apple Watch won't update or is unable to check for an update, the issue could be that your Watch is not paired correctly with your iPhone. To confirm that the devices are connected and syncing properly, we recommend trying to unpair and re-pair your Watch. Please note that this will wipe your Watch, but the process involves restoring from a backup so you will likely not lose any data when doing this.
- Open the Watch app.
![iphone home screen with a red box around watch app]()
- Tap All Watches.
![iphone watch app with a red box around all watches]()
- Tap the info icon next to your Watch.
![iphone watch app all watches screen with a red box around info icon next to the currently paired apple watch]()
- Tap Unpair Apple Watch.
![iphone watch app displaying information about the currently paired watch with a red box around the unpair Apple watch button]()
- You will need to confirm that you want to unpair the Watch. This will essentially erase your Apple Watch and you’ll need to set it up like new.
![iphone watch app displaying information about the currently paired watch with a confirmation window and a red box around the unpair Apple watch button]()
From there, you will be prompted enter your Apple Account information and follow the on-screen prompts to finish unpairing the device. Once you've done that, find out how to connect the Apple Watch to your iPhone again.
The setup process is fairly straightforward, and once your Apple Watch has finished syncing, you should now be able to proceed with updating the device. If you are still unable to check for an update or download and install an update, you may need to contact Apple customer support or visit an Apple Store for further assistance.
FAQ
- What should I do when my Apple Watch update is stuck on preparing? If your Apple Watch update is stuck on Verifying or Preparing, the best solution is to restart both your iPhone and Apple Watch. To restart your iPhone, press and hold one of the volume buttons and the side button at the same time until the power slider appears. Then, slide to power off. To restart your Apple Watch, press and hold the side button (not the Digital Crown) until the power slider appear. Slide to power off, just like the iPhone. Both devices can be turned back on by pressing and holding the side button until the Apple logo appears.
- What do the icons on Apple Watch mean? There are a lot of different symbols on the Apple Watch to indicate various meanings to the user. From the Control Center to the Notification Center, find out all the Apple Watch icon meanings.
- How do I free up space on my Apple Watch? Sometimes a lack of sufficient storage space can prevent updates from installing. If your Apple Watch won't download update, find out how to clear storage on Apple Watch.
Top image credit: Roman Larchikov / Shutterstock.com
