Apps won't install on apple watch.

Question

Level 1

20 points

Apps won't install on apple watch.

Hey there. I have seen many posts where an app won't install on apple watch from the phone, however I have what I would consider a very persistent case. I got a new Iphone 14 Pro Max and when I tried to pair my watch, the apps won't install. I have tried everything to get this to work and still nothing. Here are examples I have tried.

Cycled Power to Watch
Cycled Power to phone
Forced closed Watch app on phone
Unpair, then reinstall and select backup for setup
Unpair, then reinstall and select set up as new watch.
Cycle airplane modes on both, cycled blue tooth mode on phone.
I tried hard reset of watch and then setup again as new watch.

Each time, the watch just does not want to accept apps. I can select the app "install" button on the phone, and the watch will ask for double press to install, and when I give double press, the download circle shows on the phone and on the watch it has a working circle on the watch for about 5 seconds, and then the watch app says "install" again.

I am so frustrated as my watch now sits here nearly useless. It has accepted one app (Smart Life), but no others.

Help?

Apple Watch Series 4

Posted on Jul 23, 2023 8:39 PM

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Answer 1

bailier

Community Specialist

Jul 25, 2023 7:55 AM in response to Dasgoob

Hey there Dasgoob,

Thanks for reaching out to the Apple Support Communities.

To get started you've done some great troubleshooting already. Based on the steps you've provided, we'd just like to confirm if your iPhone and Apple Watch are updated to the latest software versions. While updating may seem like a simple step, when an update is released it often provides the latest features, security updates, and bug fixes.

If your Apple Watch and iPhone are not up-to-date, check out the steps in the following resource for help with updating your devices:

If your Apple Watch and iPhone are already up-to-date, then based on the information you've provided, and the steps you've gone through, we'd recommend reaching out to Apple Support directly from this link here: Apple Support

We hope that's able to help.

Have a great day!

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Answer 2

Trasente

Level 1

21 points

Aug 4, 2023 6:42 AM in response to Trasente

FWIW ... After trouble shooting for a bit with Apple, the work around is to delete the apps in question from the phone and reinstall. This is a pain in the rear when you have many to install but at least gets them on to the watch.

This is apparently an issue they are already investigating.

Good luck ...

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Answer 3

Trasente

Level 1

21 points

Aug 4, 2023 5:35 AM in response to bailier

Did you find an answer to this? Any relief? I have the same scenario. New iPhone 14 Pro Max. Everything set up fine with no issues. However the watch apps fail to load just as you described. It is communicating with the watch as it asks for the double click to install, but after a brief spinning then the app just stops loading and does not install.

I have reset everything multiple times with no success to resolve the issue. Even went nuclear and reset the phone to base and setup as new.

I have multiple watches and it does the same thing on all watches that pair / synch to this phone. These all worked fine on the old phone without issue.

Very perplexed and running out of ideas. Any insights to resolution are greatly appreciated.

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