How to Fix an Apple Watch That's Not Updating (2024)

FAQs

How to Fix an Apple Watch That's Not Updating? ›

Try restarting your paired iPhone to force the update. Check that you have enough space. Tap Settings > General > Storage to see if you have enough space on your Apple Watch to download the update. If you don't, remove some apps and files to create the room.

Try restarting your paired iPhone to force the update. Check that you have enough space. Tap Settings > General > Storage to see if you have enough space on your Apple Watch to download the update. If you don't, remove some apps and files to create the room.

Force restart your Apple Watch

Press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown until the screen turns black and the Apple logo reappears, then release both buttons. Your watch might take a few moments to restart.

In 2022, Apple dropped support for only one model with the release of watchOS 9: the Apple Watch Series 3. After watchOS 9's release, Apple continued selling the Series 3 for six additional months without any security updates.

The Series 4 is the last generation eligible for new software updates, meaning you'll miss out on new features moving forward unless you buy a newer watch. Software aside, Apple has also added plenty of features over the last five years that will make the Series 9 feel like a major upgrade.

If you can't turn off your Apple Watch or if the problem continues, you may need to force your Apple Watch to restart. Do this only if you're unable to restart your Apple Watch. To force restart, hold down the side button and the Digital Crown at the same time for at least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.

The 1st generation Apple Watch (colloquially referred to as Series 0) uses the single-core S1 system-on-chip. It does not have a built-in GPS chip, instead relying on a paired iPhone for location services.

Is Apple Watch Series 3 still ok to buy? ›

You can still buy the Apple Watch Series 3, even though Apple no longer supports it. We've seen refurbished Series 3 models priced at $100, but you should avoid this outdated model. For a budget Apple Watch with better value, we recommend the 2022 Apple Watch SE instead.

The first-generation Apple Watch released in 2015 is now classed as obsolete by Apple. Apple regularly updates a page that lists which of its old products are designated vintage (products that haven't been sold for between five and seven years) or obsolete.

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.

'iPhone software update failed' error can also appear if your mobile does not have enough space for the latest iOS files. Free up more storage space by deleting unwanted apps, photos, videos, cache, junk files, etc. To remove unwanted data, follow Settings > General > Storage & iCloud Usage and tap Manage Storage.

Certain settings needs to be on or off in order for pairing to work. Open your Settings app. Make sure Airplane Mode is turned off and that you're connected to a stable Wi-Fi network to avoid any connectivity issues. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on, and see if it gives you the option of pairing with your Apple Watch.

An Apple Watch can get bricked if a software update is interrupted or fails. You will either see a red exclamation mark on its screen, or a graphic showing an iPhone next to an Apple Watch. If you see either of the screens on your watch do the following: Ensure that your iPhone is running iOS 15.4 or later.

iOS 17 will be compatible with older Apple Watch software. Your Apple Watch Series 2 is no longer supported for software updates and it is likely the battery will be showing reduced performance and capacity. Whether you want to keep it working for sentimental reasons, or upgrade now is entirely your decision.