Apple Watch WiFi Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It!

Abdullah IqbalUpdated on June 20, 2025
Abdullah is a certified Google IT Support Professional.
Reviewed by Kamil Anwar

Apple Watch might show that it’s connected to Wi-Fi, but apps like Music, Weather, or the App Store won’t load or update. This usually means the watch has connected to a saved 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network but can’t actually reach the internet.

The most common reason for this is that your iPhone is out of Bluetooth range and the watch is trying to use Wi-Fi on its own—other reasons could be old Wi-Fi login data or background syncing problems.

1. Change the WiFi Band to 2.4 GHz

  1. Type your router’s login URL or default IP address in your web browser.
  2. Enter your login credentials for the router.
  3. Navigate to Wireless > Advanced settings.
  4. Click the drop-down arrow next to Band and choose 2.4 GHz.

2. Restart Both the iPhone and Watch

To restart iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, and later:

  1. Press and hold any volume button together with the side button until the power-off slider appears.
  2. Drag the slider to turn off your device. Wait up to 30 seconds.
  3. To restart, press and hold the side button again.

To restart iPhone 6, 7, 8, and SE:

  1. Press and hold the side power button.
  2. Drag the slider and wait about 30 seconds.
  3. Turn your iPhone back on by pressing and holding the same power button.

To restart iPhone 5:

  1. Press and hold the power button on top of the phone.
  2. Drag the slider and wait about 30 seconds.
  3. Press and hold the power button again to restart.

To restart your Apple Watch with watchOS 9:

  1. Remove your Apple Watch from the charger if it’s charging.
  2. Press and hold the side button until you see the power icon in the top-right corner.
  3. Tap the power icon.
  4. Drag the slider labeled Power Off.
  5. To turn it back on, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo shows.

To restart Apple Watch with watchOS 8 or earlier:

  1. Take the watch off the charger.
  2. Press and hold the side button until the Power Off slider appears.
  3. Drag the slider to the right.
  4. To turn it back on, press and hold the side button again.

3. Connect Your Watch and iPhone via Bluetooth and Turn on Airplane Mode

  1. Connect your iPhone to WiFi.
  2. Pair your iPhone and Apple Watch via Bluetooth.
  3. Go to Settings > WiFi on your iPhone.

  1. Tap the “i” icon next to your WiFi network and select Forget This Network.

  1. Keep your iPhone and watch connected via Bluetooth, then reconnect your iPhone to a 2.4 GHz WiFi network.
  2. Now, turn on Airplane Mode on your iPhone.

  1. Check if the WiFi icon appears in the top left corner of your Apple Watch’s control center. If it does, your watch is now connected to WiFi.
  2. Wait a few seconds, then turn off Airplane Mode on your iPhone.
  3. See if your Apple Watch now stays connected to WiFi.

4. Delete the Lookout Mobile Security App

  1. Find the Lookout app, then tap and hold its icon.

  1. Tap on the minus sign (-) and then choose Delete App to remove it.

5. Update the iPhone and Apple Watch Software

The latest watchOS 9 is compatible with the Apple Watch Ultra, 1st Generation Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 4, and newer models. You’ll also need at least an iPhone SE (2nd Generation), iPhone 8, or later, running iOS 16 or higher.

Before updating, make sure your watch battery is at least 50% and your iPhone is connected to WiFi. Update your iPhone first, then your Apple Watch.

  1. Go to Settings > General on your iPhone.

  1. Select Software Update.

  1. Download and install the latest iOS update if available.

Once your iPhone is up to date, you can update your Apple Watch using the iPhone:

  1. Open the Apple Watch app, and tap the My Watch tab.
  2. Go to General > Software Update.

  1. Install any available update.
  2. If prompted, enter your iPhone or Apple Watch passcode.
  3. The update can take from 5 minutes to an hour.
  4. Once finished, try connecting your Apple Watch to WiFi again.

You can also update your Apple Watch without your iPhone by doing the following:

  1. Connect your watch to WiFi, then open the Settings app on your watch.
  2. Go to General > Software Update.
  3. Install any available updates.

6. Backup and Reset the iPhone

  1. Go to Settings and tap your name at the top.

  1. Select iCloud > iCloud Backup.
  2. Tap Back Up Now. Keep your WiFi on while the backup completes.

To reset your iPhone, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings > General.

  1. Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.

  1. Select Erase All Content and Settings.

  1. Tap Continue and enter your iPhone passcode.
  2. Wait for the backup to finish, then enter your Apple ID password.
  3. After erasing, set up your iPhone and restore your data from the backup.
  4. Check if your Apple Watch now connects to WiFi.

If your Apple Watch still isn’t connecting to WiFi after trying all the above solutions, contact Apple Support for further assistance.

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Abdullah IqbalUpdated on June 20, 2025
Abdullah is a certified Google IT Support Professional.
Reviewed by Kamil Anwar
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Abdullah Iqbal


Abdullah is a Google IT certified Help Desk Technician with extensive experience in providing technical support to system users. He has a proven track record of effectively resolving IT issues, and is adept at working with tools like Jira and ZenDesk to efficiently manage support tickets. Abdullah is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and constantly seeks to improve his skills and knowledge through professional development opportunities.