Apple Watch Ultra 2 connection very slow when connected to iPhone

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Level 1

52 points

Apple Watch Ultra 2 connection very slow when connected to iPhone

Recently set up an Apple Watch Ultra 2 running watchOS 10.0.1 paired with an iPhone 14 Pro running 17.0.1. When the watch connects through the phone, speed tests show it's downloading at about 2 or 3 Mbps max and won't download music when charging because it says the connection is too slow. But if I turn off the phone and the watch connects directly with wifi, speed tests indicate a connection around 45 Mbps.

Why is the watch's connection uselessly slow through the iPhone but much faster with a direct wifi connection? Is there anything to fix this? I've restarted both devices but that's had no effect.

Apple Watch Ultra 2, watchOS 10

Posted on Sep 24, 2023 04:20 PM

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Answer 1

ddrogin Author

Level 1

52 points

Sep 24, 2023 04:49 PM in response to ZintainUSA

Thanks, this makes sense.

The problem is that this slow Bluetooth connection via the phone is too slow for the watch to function as it should, for instance by downloading playlists while charging. I'm supposed to turn off the phone or its Bluetooth while charging the watch so the watch can download what it needs? That seems unreasonable and I find it difficult to believe that's how Apple designed it to function.

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Answer 2

Dec 18, 2023 03:02 AM in response to ddrogin

I have installed a Speedtest app on Apple Watch. Any test done whether over cellular, Wi-Fi Direct or through phone is less than 4mbps on Apple Watch Ultra 2. I wouldn’t care but iv been noticing real life issues with music while out and about, it’s so bad I’m thinking about returning the watch for repair. Any ideas.

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Answer 3

ZintainUSA

Level 5

6,531 points

Sep 24, 2023 04:36 PM in response to ddrogin

When the watch is connected to your phone, it’s connected through Bluetooth, you’re only going to get the speed that the Bluetooth can support which is going to be much slower than your WiFi speeds.

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Answer 4

ddrogin Author

Level 1

52 points

Sep 24, 2023 05:33 PM in response to ddrogin

Update: even with the watch connecting directly to wifi and with the phone's Bluetooth off, the watch won't download music while charging, saying it is waiting for a faster internet connection. A speed test on the watch shows it connecting at about 50 Mbps, though.

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Answer 5

rishey

Level 1

16 points

Jan 19, 2024 11:58 AM in response to laurencesorbello

Have you had any luck with this issue? I am experiencing the same. Wifi on the Apple Watch ultra 2 is very very slow when connected on wifi alone without phone. Other devices on same network same time work fine.

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Answer 6

Jan 19, 2024 01:45 PM in response to ZintainUSA

Yeah, and to turn off bluetooth on watch you need to actually go into settings, not the button in the widget area when you swipe down. Settings Bluetooth and turn off. Then it will disconnect from phone and truly test wifi speeds.. I just think, considering my computer tests speeds at 100mbps consistently, the 10-14mbps the watch downloads is a bit poxy.

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Answer 7

Bilabong

Level 1

9 points

Jul 12, 2024 04:58 PM in response to ddrogin

Yes, that's exactly my problem. Hiking and listening to my podcasts on my iPhone 15 is not happening since I started wearing my new Apple Watch.

Too many pauses.

Anyway around this other than turning off the watch?

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Apple Watch Ultra 2 connection very slow when connected to iPhone

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