My iPhone is up to date but watch won’t pair

I keep getting an error saying my iPhone needs to be updated, to pair my Apple Watch, however I have the most current version of iOS 16.1.

iPhone 13 Pro, iOS 16

Posted on Nov 4, 2022 06:17 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 6, 2022 09:46 AM

Hello ChrisAudi,


With your iPhone fully up to date, we'd recommend reviewing the steps from If you can't pair an Apple Watch with your iPhone - Apple Support


Make sure that Apple Watch isn’t already paired

When you set up Apple Watch, your iPhone asks you to hold the watch up to your iPhone camera. If your iPhone says that it's unable to connect to Apple Watch — or if the watch shows a clock face — Apple Watch might already be paired.


If you have its paired iPhone, unpair your Apple Watch

  1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap the My Watch tab, then tap All Watches at the top of the screen.
  2. Tap the "i" button I button next to the watch that you want to unpair, then tap Unpair Apple Watch.
  3. Tap again to confirm, then wait for the watch to unpair.
  4. After Apple Watch unpairs, you can pair again.


If you don’t have its paired iPhone, erase your Apple Watch 

If you can't unpair Apple Watch because you don't have its paired iPhone, you can erase the watch.

When you erase Apple Watch instead of unpairing it, the watch is still protected by Activation Lock. Before you can pair Apple Watch again, enter the Apple ID and password that was used to set it up.

  1. Open the Settings app on your watch, then tap General > Reset.
  2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings, then tap again to confirm.
  3. Wait for the watch to unpair.
  4. After Apple Watch unpairs completely, you can pair again. You'll need the Apple ID and password that were used to set up the watch.



If those steps don't help, then you'll want to contact Apple Support for further assistance.


Thanks for using Apple Support Communities!


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 6, 2022 09:46 AM in response to ChrisAudi

Hello ChrisAudi,


With your iPhone fully up to date, we'd recommend reviewing the steps from If you can't pair an Apple Watch with your iPhone - Apple Support


Make sure that Apple Watch isn’t already paired

When you set up Apple Watch, your iPhone asks you to hold the watch up to your iPhone camera. If your iPhone says that it's unable to connect to Apple Watch — or if the watch shows a clock face — Apple Watch might already be paired.


If you have its paired iPhone, unpair your Apple Watch

  1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap the My Watch tab, then tap All Watches at the top of the screen.
  2. Tap the "i" button I button next to the watch that you want to unpair, then tap Unpair Apple Watch.
  3. Tap again to confirm, then wait for the watch to unpair.
  4. After Apple Watch unpairs, you can pair again.


If you don’t have its paired iPhone, erase your Apple Watch 

If you can't unpair Apple Watch because you don't have its paired iPhone, you can erase the watch.

When you erase Apple Watch instead of unpairing it, the watch is still protected by Activation Lock. Before you can pair Apple Watch again, enter the Apple ID and password that was used to set it up.

  1. Open the Settings app on your watch, then tap General > Reset.
  2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings, then tap again to confirm.
  3. Wait for the watch to unpair.
  4. After Apple Watch unpairs completely, you can pair again. You'll need the Apple ID and password that were used to set up the watch.



If those steps don't help, then you'll want to contact Apple Support for further assistance.


Thanks for using Apple Support Communities!


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My iPhone is up to date but watch won’t pair

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