Apple Watch Won’t Update? Try these Fixes

Apple Watches continue to improve with each new model, but one persistent issue remains: the update function can fail unexpectedly without any clear reason. This problem has been reported on recent models such as the Series 8, Ultra, and SE 2, as well as on older devices like the Series 7 and SE 1.

Why Won’t My Apple Watch Update?

If your Apple Watch fails to complete a watchOS update, or it does not prompt you to install an available update, there are several important steps to take before beginning comprehensive troubleshooting. Addressing these foundational issues increases the likelihood of a successful update.

Prerequisites

• Confirm your iPhone’s iOS is fully updated.
• Ensure your Apple Watch is connected to its charger and is at least 50% charged.
• Verify your iPhone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network.
• Make certain both your Apple Watch and iPhone are in close proximity to one another.
• Check that both devices have sufficient available storage for the update. If space is low, delete unnecessary files or apps to make room.

Once you have satisfied all these prerequisites, attempt to update your Apple Watch to the latest watchOS version again.

If your update still fails, proceed with the following troubleshooting steps. Most often, the issue is caused by a temporary pairing glitch or leftover files from a failed update attempt.

Below, you will find clear, actionable methods to resolve common reasons your Apple Watch is not updating:

1. Restart Both Devices

When updating your Apple Watch, remember that your iPhone is responsible for downloading and unpacking the necessary update files. Restarting both devices can often resolve minor connection problems that interfere with the update process.

Note: Although this is a simple step, it refreshes the connection between your iPhone and Apple Watch and can resolve many update-related errors.

1. Turn off your Apple Watch by pressing and holding the Side Button until the Power Off slider appears.

   

2. Drag the power slider to turn off the device.
3. Once the watch powers down, wait 30 seconds.
4. Restart your iPhone by pressing and holding Volume Up or Volume Down together with the Side Button until the Power Off slider appears.

   

5. Swipe the slider to turn off the iPhone.
6. Turn your iPhone back on by pressing and holding the power button until you see the home screen. (If the power button isn’t working, follow this guide.)
7. Power on your Apple Watch again and wait for it to reconnect with your iPhone; this should occur automatically.
8. Once both devices are paired, try installing the update again.

2. Re-pair Your Apple Watch

If restarting does not resolve the issue, the problem may lie in the pairing between your Apple Watch and iPhone. Re-pairing re-establishes this connection and often resolves update failures and other connectivity issues, such as missing notifications or calls not appearing on your watch.

Note: If you are also experiencing other connection problems with your Apple Watch, re-pairing is highly recommended.

Note: To provide clear instructions, this guide is split into two parts: unpairing and then re-pairing.

1. On your iPhone, open the Watch app.

   

2. Tap All Watches in the top left corner of the screen.

   

3. Find your Apple Watch and tap the Info Icon next to it.

   

4. Tap Unpair Apple Watch.

   

After successfully unpairing your Apple Watch, follow these steps to pair it again.

1. Ensure your Apple Watch is powered on.
2. When your Apple Watch is near your iPhone, a pairing screen should automatically appear. Tap Continue.

   

3. Follow on-screen instructions by holding your Apple Watch up to your iPhone’s camera to complete the pairing.
4. Check if the pending watchOS update now appears and proceed with the installation as directed.

Note: If you encounter a message stating “Unable to install update”, try these solutions.

• Disable the option to unlock your Apple Watch with your iPhone.
• Allow your Apple Watch to update automatically overnight. Alternatively, update directly from the Watch, but ensure both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled.

3. Remove the Remnant Update File

Sometimes, a failed update attempt leaves a remnant update file on your device, which can prevent future update installations. Removing this incomplete update file allows you to start the process again from scratch.

1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.

   

2. Tap General on the home screen of your Apple Watch.
3. Select Software Update from the menu.

   

4. If a file is present for an update that has not been installed, delete it from the Update tab.
   Note: Only delete files that have already been downloaded but not installed.
5. Restart both your iPhone and Apple Watch by following the instructions in Method 1 above.
6. Once restarted, check the Software Update menu again and install the update as prompted.

Each method above is designed to address specific reasons why an Apple Watch may not update, from basic connection refreshes and clearing corrupted files, to re-establishing a stable device pairing. By following these clear steps, you should be able to resolve even persistent watchOS update issues and keep your Apple Watch functioning with the latest features and fixes.