Apple Watch - watchOS Software Updates (2024)

FAQs

Why won't my Apple Watch finish updating? ›

Make sure that your Apple Watch is connecting properly to its charger. Restart your Apple Watch. Restart your paired iPhone. Try again to update your Apple Watch.

Downloads on the Apple Watch take more time than on other devices. Be prepared to have to wait a bit. To speed up your download, you can try to deactivate Bluetooth in your Apple Watch settings. Also make sure that your watch is connected to wifi.

Remove media and apps

Free up storage on your Apple Watch by removing any music or photos that you've synced to your watch. Then try to install the watchOS update. If you still can't update, remove some apps to free up more space, then try to update.

Here is an article that may help. "On your Apple Watch, go to Settings > App Store. Turn on or turn off Automatic Updates. Or open the Watch app on your iPhone, scroll to App Store and tap it, then turn on or turn off Automatic Updates."

Tap My Watch, go to General > Software Update, then, if an update is available, tap Download and Install.

It's important to make sure that your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi, and that you keep your iPhone near your Apple Watch throughout the entire update. It could take awhile for the update to complete, so you might want to update overnight or wait until you have time.

Each year, the Apple Watch adds new capabilities, so if you dig your Apple Watch and your model is at least two or three years old then you may be ready for an upgrade.

Also will it cost more monthly? Apple Watch does not have built-in cellular capability, so does not require a separate plan or charge. Any calls placed, text messages sent and/or cellular data used by Apple Watch are provided via the paired iPhone, so are charged as part of your iPhone's plan and bill.

How long does Apple Watch upgrade take? ›

Download the update. If asked for your iPhone passcode or Apple Watch passcode, enter it. Wait for the progress wheel to appear on your Apple Watch. It could take from several minutes to an hour for the update to be completed.

Check your connections. Check both your Apple Watch and iPhone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network to complete the update. If your internet connection is running slowly, the update can take longer to download. Stop any downloads running on other devices on the network to speed things up.

watchOS 10 is the biggest update since the introduction of Apple Watch, and brings a fresh look for virtually every app, new ways to navigate, and a new Smart Stack to display the information you need, right when you need it, from any watch face.

You can verify the digital signature of software downloaded from Apple to confirm that the software authentic and complete. Apple digitally signs all software updates to ensure their authenticity, and offers them exclusively through Software Update, the App Store, or Apple's Downloads site.

If you can't set up your Apple Watch or you get an error message. Make sure that your iPhone has the latest version of iOS. Turn off your iPhone and turn it back on. Turn off your Apple Watch and turn it back on.

If the update or restore never completes or your device is unresponsive, force your device to restart. If your device has been in this state for several hours, contact Apple Support.

The iOS update file you've downloaded might be corrupted. Which is why your iPhone is stuck on the Preparing Update screen. A simple solution to counter this problem is to delete the update file. After which you can download the update again and it might resolve the issue.

If your watch still doesn't show the correct date and time, go to the Settings of the watch and scroll down until you see the option "Set date and time". Make sure that you have enabled the option "Automatic settings" - the watch will automatically synchronise with your geolocation and update the date and hour.