Update your Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK) (2024)

Table of Contents
Check your Apple Watch compatibility Get ready to update Update your Apple Watch using your iPhone Update directly on your Apple Watch Some iPhone updates may require that you update your Apple Watch Need more help with updating? If you've installed an iOS or watchOS beta or developer seed FAQs

You can get the latest version of watchOS directly on your Apple Watch, or use your iPhone to update it.

Check your Apple Watch compatibility

First, make sure your Apple Watch works with the latest software. watchOS 10 is compatible with these Apple Watch models:

  • Apple Watch Series 4 and later

  • Apple Watch SE (1st generation) and later

  • Apple Watch Ultra and later

Not all watchOS 10 features are available on all devices.

Updating to watchOS 10 requires iPhone XS or later with iOS 17.

If your Apple Watch isn't compatible with the latest version of watchOS, Software Update will show you the newest version that your watch can use.

Identify which Apple Watch or iPhone model you have.

Get ready to update

Next, check these things:

See Also
How to Fix an Apple Watch That's Not UpdatingwatchOS 10Understanding the Red Dot on Your Apple Watch and How to Manage ItwatchOS 10 won't support some older Apple Watches and iPhones — see which models aren't compatible

  1. Make sure your iPhone has been updated to the latest version of iOS.

  2. Make sure your Apple Watch is at least 50 per cent charged.

  3. Make sure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi.

Keep your iPhone near your Apple Watch throughout the update. It could take from several minutes to an hour for the update to be completed, so you may want to update overnight or wait until you have time.

Update your Apple Watch using your iPhone

You can wait until Apple Watch notifies you when a new update is available. Tap Update Tonight in the notification, then go to your iPhone to confirm that you want to update overnight. At the end of the day, leave your Apple Watch and iPhone charging overnight so the update can be completed.

Or you can update your Apple Watch with your iPhone manually:

  1. On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app, then tap the My Watch tab.

  2. Tap General > Software Update.

    Update your Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK) (1)

  3. Download the update. If asked for your iPhone passcode or Apple Watch passcode, enter it.

  4. 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.

Leave your Apple Watch on its charger while it's updating. Don't restart your iPhone or Apple Watch, and don't close the Apple Watch app. When the update has completed, your Apple Watch will restart on its own.

Update directly on your Apple Watch

If your Apple Watch has watchOS 6 or later, you can install updates without your iPhone:

See Also
How to Install New WatchOS 10 on Your Apple Watch

  1. Make sure your watch is connected to Wi-Fi.

  2. On your watch, open the Settings app.

  3. Tap General > Software Update.

  4. Tap Install if a software update is available, then follow the onscreen instructions.

Leave your Apple Watch on its charger while it's updating, and don't restart your Apple Watch. When the update has completed, your Apple Watch will restart on its own.

Some iPhone updates may require that you update your Apple Watch

It's important to keep your Apple devices up to date so that they have the latest bug fixes and security enhancements.

Some iOS updates on your iPhone require that you also update watchOS on your Apple Watch. So if you see an alert on your iPhone that says "Update Apple Watch" and "Your Apple Watch software is out of date", you should update to the latest version of watchOS so that your data, including Activity data, continues to sync to your iPhone.

Need more help with updating?

Try following these steps:

  1. Make sure your Apple Watch is connecting to its charger correctly.

  2. Restart your Apple Watch.

  3. Restart your paired iPhone.

  4. Try again to update your Apple Watch.

If the update won't start:

  1. Open the AppleWatch app on your iPhone.

  2. Tap General > Storage.

  3. Delete the update file.

  4. Try again to update your Apple Watch.

Find out what to do if you see “Cannot Install Update” when updating Apple Watch or if your Apple Watch says you need more available storage to install a watchOS update.

If you've installed an iOS or watchOS beta or developer seed

If you've installed beta software on your iPhone or Apple Watch, you'll need to remove the beta profile before you can update to the next major software version:

  • Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap the My Watch tab, then go to General > Profiles. Tap the beta profile you want to remove, then tap Delete Profile. Enter your iPhone passcode if requested.

  • Open the Settings app on your iPhone, then tap General > Profiles & Device Management. Tap the beta profile you want to remove, then tap Delete profile. Enter your iPhone passcode if requested.

After you've removed the profiles, restart both devices and check for the update again.

Published Date:

Update your Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK) (2024)

FAQs

Update your Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK)? ›

On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app, then tap the My Watch tab. Tap General > Software Update. Download the update. If asked for your iPhone passcode or Apple Watch passcode, enter it.

Read More ›
Why won't it let me update my Apple Watch? ›

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.

View More ›
Is my Apple Watch too old to update? ›

To use watchOS 10, you'll need an Apple Watch Series 4 or above, the first-generation Apple Watch SE and above, and the Apple Watch Ultra and newer. Anything older isn't able to run the latest OS so you may be stuck with an older version that's more limited.

Tell Me More ›
Is there another way to update Apple Watch? ›

Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Tap My Watch, go to General > Software Update, then, if an update is available, tap Download and Install.

Learn More ›
Does the Apple Watch Series 3 still update? ›

Regardless of how attractive it's priced, we don't recommend buying it. There are two main reasons: Apple no longer supports the Series 3 with software and security updates, and while still functional, the smartwatch is showing its age.

View More ›
How do I force Apple Watch update? ›

Open the Watch app and head to My Watch > General > Software Update. It will check for updates, and if one is available, tap the ``Download and Install'' button. You will also need to enter your passcode to start the update.

Explore More ›
Which Apple watches are still supported? ›

watchOS 10 compatibility.
  • Apple Watch Series 4.
  • Apple Watch Series 5.
  • Apple Watch SE.
  • Apple Watch Series 6.
  • Apple Watch Series 7.
  • Apple Watch Series 8.
  • Apple Watch Series 9.
  • Apple Watch Ultra.

Learn More Now ›
Can I pair my Apple Watch without updating? ›

If your Watch and phone were previously paired, they will connect automatically. However, if they've never been paired before, you need to wait for the "Use your iPhone to set up your Apple Watch" window. Tap Continue to proceed. Use the camera on your iPhone to scan the screen on your Watch to begin set up.

Discover More ›
Why isn't my Apple Watch connecting to my phone? ›

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.

Show Me More ›
What is the new Apple Watch update called? ›

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.

Keep Reading ›

Are Apple watches being discontinued? ›

Apple has stopped selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 smartwatches on its U.S. website, CNBC checks show. “Following December 24, 2023, Apple no longer sells Apple Watch units in the United States with the ability to measure blood oxygen,” according to fine print on Apple's product pages.

View More ›
What can I do with my old iWatch? ›

If your Apple Watch is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular
  • Make and answer phone calls. Send and receive messages. ...
  • Check the weather. Track your stocks. ...
  • Find your friends, devices, and items. ...
  • Use Walkie-Talkie. ...
  • Send and read email. ...
  • Track your workouts. ...
  • Display photos from synced photo albums. ...
  • Check your heart rate.
Apr 24, 2024

Tell Me More ›
Why won't my Apple Watch pair with the Series 3? ›

If it seems like the pairing process has stalled — for example, the pairing animation remains on the screen for several minutes — resetting your Apple Watch might help: Press and hold the Digital Crown while your Apple Watch is in pairing mode. Tap Reset when it appears on your watch.

Tell Me More ›
What is the latest OS for Apple Watch? ›

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.

Tell Me More ›
How to resync Apple Watch to iPhone? ›

Here's how to go about it:
  1. Step 1: On your iPhone, open the Watch App.
  2. Step 2: Click on My Watch and tap the General Settings tab.
  3. Step 3: Select the reset sync data option to begin the resetting process.
  4. Step 4: Wait for your iPhone to remove all data, such as your calendar updates, messages, and health updates.
Aug 29, 2023

Tell Me More ›
How to refresh an Apple Watch? ›

Apple Watch - Reset Sync Setting
  1. From your iPhone, open the. Watch app. .
  2. From the My Watch tab (lower-left), tap. General. .
  3. Reset. .
  4. Reset Sync Data. .

Show Me More ›
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