- Categories
- Personal Care and Style
- Jewelry
- Watches
- Apple Watch
Download Article
Quick tips to help you get your Apple Watch up and running
Explore this Article
Steps
Steps
Other Sections
Tips and Warnings
Related Articles
References
Written byDarlene Antonelli, MA
Last Updated: May 27, 2024Fact Checked
Download Article
Are you running into an issue where your Apple Watch won't pair without an update? You might be running into a loop, where your Watch won't pair without an update, but you can't update without pairing, which is the source of Wi-Fi needed for updating. Fortunately, there are a few steps that you can take to solve this Catch-22. If you have watchOS 6 or later, however, you can install updates without your iPhone in Settings > General > Software Update. This wikiHow article teaches you how to update and pair your Apple Watch when it won't do either.
Things You Should Know
- The most common issue that users find is the reason that their Apple Watch won't pair without an update is that their iPhone is out of date.
- After updating your iPhone, restart both the phone and the Watch.
- When they restart and pair, try updating the Watch again.
Steps
Download Article
1
Update your iPhone. This is the most common issue that people run into: Apple Watch OS updates require your iPhone to be running a specific iOS.
- To make this process easier, close all the apps that are open on your iPhone. Do that by swiping up from the bottom of your screen and swiping up on an app to close it. If your phone has a "Home" button, double-press it and swipe up on an app to close it.
- To update your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Install/Download and Install.[1]
2
Restart both your phone and watch. Turn off your Watch, press and hold the side button (not the Digital Crown) until a slider appears, then drag the Power slider to the right.[2] If you press those buttons and see an SOS Emergency Call slider instead, tap the tiny power button in the top right corner to get the power slider.
- Depending on the model of iPhone you have, there are different ways to turn it off. For example, if you have an iPhone without a "Home" button (X, 11, 12, 13, or later), press and hold either volume button and the side button until a slider appears, then drag the Power slider to the right.
- If you have an iPhone 6, 7, 8, or 2nd gen SE, press and hold the one side button until the slider appears, then drag it to the right.
- If you have a 1st gen SE or iPhone 5 or earlier, press and hold the top button until the Power slider appears, then slide it to the right.[3]
- Turn your iPhone back on by pressing the same buttons. Once it's restarted, press the side button on your Watch to turn it on after your iPhone.
Advertisem*nt
- Depending on the model of iPhone you have, there are different ways to turn it off. For example, if you have an iPhone without a "Home" button (X, 11, 12, 13, or later), press and hold either volume button and the side button until a slider appears, then drag the Power slider to the right.
3
Pair your Watch and iPhone. 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. Follow the on-screen instructions to continue setting up your Watch. [4]
4
Update your Watch. Make sure your Watch is on the charger and can stay there while it's updating. On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app and tap the My Watch tab. Go to General > Software Update > Download. Don't close the app until the update is complete.[5]
- If you have watchOS 6 or later, you can install updates without your iPhone in Settings > General > Software Update.
Advertisem*nt
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Advertisem*nt
Tips
Remove the bad update from your Watch if you're still having issues. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and delete the update file.
Thanks
Helpful0Not Helpful1
If your Watch still doesn't pair with your iPhone, unpair it and forget the connection (remove it from your iPhone). Then, restart both devices and pair them again.
Thanks
Helpful0Not Helpful0
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Submit
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisem*nt
You Might Also Like
Advertisem*nt
References
About This Article
Written by:
Darlene Antonelli, MA
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities. This article has been viewed 9,407 times.
2 votes - 50%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: May 27, 2024
Views:9,407
Categories: Apple Watch
- Send fan mail to authors
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 9,407 times.
Did this article help you?
Advertisem*nt