Apple Watch will not update

Thanks for reaching out Kayla-E93

,

It sounds like you are having some trouble updating your watchOS on your Apple Watch. We can help.

Let's go ahead and make sure the iPhone you have paired with your Apple Watch is compatible. You can check out these steps to Update your Apple Watch:

Check your Apple Watch compatibility

First, make sure that your Apple Watch works with the latest software. watchOS 9 is compatible with these Apple Watch models:

* Apple Watch Series 4 and later

* Apple Watch SE (1st generation) and later

* Apple Watch Ultra

Updating to watchOS 9 also requires one of these iPhone models:

* iPhone 8 or later with iOS 16

* iPhone SE (2nd generation) or later with iOS 16

Then, we want to make sure that the following are true:

1. Make sure that your iPhone is updated to the latest version of iOS.

2. Make sure that your Apple Watch is at least 50 percent charged.

3. Make sure that 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 complete, so you might want to update overnight or wait until you have time.

If you still have trouble after that, you can connect with Apple directly using either Get Support or if you're in a region without direct support options, you can also Contact Apple for support and service.

Hope that helps.

Take care.

I just got mine to finally update. I have an Apple Watch 9 and an iPhone 13Pro Max and have been trying to update for several weeks with the same issues as you were having. I was reading through the replies you received and someone suggested that you power off both devices, once they’re back off turn off the automatic updates on your watch app and then try updating. I thought why not, I’ve tried everything else so I did all of the above and it just did a complete update. Don’t ask me why but it worked for me. Good luck!

Yesterday, right after I posted the message here on the forum, I turned off "Automatic Updates" and "Automatic Installation". Later in the afternoon, without my phone being connected to Wi-Fi, I reactivated everything. Some time later, the installation was ready to go. I'm not sure why, but I'm sharing what I did here in case it works for someone else too.

Idk what helped but I turned on my bluetooth, I reset both my phone and watch like 3-5 times, I made sure to switch to the 2G wifi setting, and changed settings so that my cell data isn’t assisting the wifi. Took 4 hours but finally got it to work.

my boss fixed mine for me by connecting it to a wifi that has a 2.4ghz band. my boss HAD to use a 2.4ghz band on a SAMSUNG SMART PHONE. a 5ghz band won’t work! my boss speculates that the watch ghz band servers for updates are 2.4 only

Hello, my Apple Watch Ultra 2 also isn't updating. My iPhone is on the latest iOS version, and I've tried switching between different Wi-Fi bands as suggested here in the forum, but the update progress stalls at just over 50% with a "Preparing" message. I've tried fully charging both my iPhone and Watch, keeping them side by side and near the Wi-Fi router, and I've restarted both multiple times with no progress. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to restart the update? It's been stuck at the same point for two days now.

I have Apple Watch 8 series but is not able to pair it with my iPhone 14 Plus with the latest version and my Apple Watch is at factory level

How to pair it .

Same problem with you. I just leave my comment here to follow this post

the post clearly states all of this has been tried.

My iwatch isnt updating it is on steady charge my phone is up to date i rebooted both devices but it’s still updating what is the necessary problem any solution

My apple watch 9 won't update. I've had it right next to my phone and both are next to each all night long.

It's been days and it says (Preparing). What do I need to do?

My series 9 watch sitting at ‘preparing’ for a long time . Watch and iPhone on chargers and both over 50% and connected to WiFi and in close proximity. What is the solution Apple?

I have followed all instructions to update my 7 series Apple Watch and it will not update

I can not get my watch to update with my phone