Check out these solutions if your Apple Watch update fails and you’re unable to download and install the latest version of watchOS 26.
Installing the latest Apple Watch update ensures it has the newest features and bug fixes.
The process to get the most recent version of watchOS 26 is usually smooth and takes a few steps. But if your Apple Watch software update fails, is unable to install the update, is stuck on the preparing screen, or the update takes hours, the following potential solutions should fix it.
Types of errors you may see when an Apple Watch update fails
These are the alerts you see when your Apple Watch is unable to update successfully:
1) “Unable to Install Update. An error occurred installing the latest version of watchOS on your Apple Watch.” This may appear as a notification or an alert that says Close and Open App.
2) “Software Update Failed. An error occurred downloading the latest version of watchOS on your Apple Watch.”
3) “Get Connected. To connect to Apple Watch, make sure your iPhone has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.”
4) “Installation Paused. To install the update, Apple Watch must be connected to its charger and charged to at least 50%.”
In some cases, the alert pop-up explains what you need to do, such as charging the Apple Watch or connecting to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. At other times, it simply informs you that the update has failed. Worry not, as here are all the possible checks, tips, and solutions to fix the failing Apple Watch update.
1. Make sure your Apple Watch is compatible
The first thing is to ensure your Apple Watch is officially supported to receive the latest version of watchOS. watchOS 26 supports Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch Ultra, and all newer models.
2. Make sure your iPhone is compatible
In addition to the Apple Watch, your iPhone must also be compatible to install watchOS on your wearable. The current watchOS 26 requires you to have an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26 or later. If your iPhone doesn’t meet these minimum criteria, you cannot update your Apple Watch using the iPhone.
You can learn which iPhone you have by visiting this link. And to know the iOS version, go to Settings > General > About and see the number next to Software Version. If it’s an old version, go back to the previous screen and tap Software Update > Download and Install.
3. Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Go to the iPhone Settings app and make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled. Next, open Apple Watch Control Center, and if the Wi-Fi icon isn’t blue, tap to turn it on.
To download the watchOS update, connect your iPhone to a stable Wi-Fi network. I tested for multiple hours and was unable to download the watchOS update using cellular data.
If you’re updating your Apple Watch directly from the device (and your iPhone isn’t nearby), make sure the watch is connected to Wi-Fi. To check this, open Apple Watch Control Center and ensure you see a tiny Wi-Fi icon. When the Apple Watch is connected to the iPhone, you see a tiny green iPhone icon. You can update your Apple Watch in either situation.
4. Put your devices in Airplane mode
Enabling Airplane mode disconnects Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. When the Apple Watch update won’t download, try turning Airplane mode on and off on both devices from the Settings app or Control Center.
5. Keep iPhone and Apple Watch nearby
If you are not updating your Apple Watch directly but using the iPhone Watch app, make sure both devices are as close as possible. For instance, keep them on the same table so they stay connected via Bluetooth.
6. Put the Apple Watch with a 50% battery on its charger
To install the iOS update on your iPhone, you only need it to have at least 20% or 50% battery. But to install a watchOS update on your Apple Watch, it must have at least 50% battery and also be placed on its charger. You cannot update your Apple Watch if both conditions aren’t fulfilled.
7. Free up space on your Apple Watch
You must have sufficient storage space to successfully download, prepare, and install a new version of watchOS. The amount of free space required depends on the watchOS update. If it’s a minor update, you might only need a few hundred MBs of free space. But for a major watchOS update, the number can be a few GBs.
In either case, if the Apple Watch update fails, check how much free space you have on the device. After that, make some space on your Apple Watch.
8. Don’t quit the Watch app during the Apple Watch update
When your iPhone is downloading, preparing, verifying, and installing the update on your Apple Watch, make sure not to close the Watch app. For a seamless update, I would even recommend you keep the Watch app on the screen and leave your iPhone untouched for a while.
But if the update is stuck or not starting to download, force quit the Watch app, restart both devices, and re-download the update.
9. Restart your iPhone, Apple Watch, and Wi-Fi router
Even after following all the above essentials, if your Apple Watch update repeatedly fails to download, turn off your iPhone and Apple Watch. After waiting for one minute, turn them back on. While you are at it, restart your Wi-Fi router as well.
10. Turn off your VPN
If you’re using a VPN on your iPhone when downloading the watchOS update, turn it off by opening the VPN app. Disable the VPN if you’ve set it up at the router level.
11. Check Apple System Status
Unlike macOS Software Update, there is no dedicated option that shows the status of watchOS updates on Apple’s server status page. But in case the above solutions didn’t bring any luck, visit the Apple System Status page, and if you see a yellow or red symbol next to things like App Store, Apple ID, iCloud Account & Sign In, iCloud Backup, iOS Device Activation, consider waiting for a while before following the remaining solutions.
12. Reset your iPhone network settings
If your iPhone cannot download the Apple Watch update successfully, go to iPhone Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset and Reset Network Settings.
Once this is completed, make sure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi. Next, open the Watch app > My Watch > General > Software Update and download the watchOS update again. It should work.
13. Other fixes before the ultimate one
- If you had enrolled your Apple Watch in the Apple Beta Software Program, unenroll from it, restart your Apple Watch, and try updating again.
- Sign out of your Apple Account, restart your iPhone and Apple Watch, and sign in to your Apple Account again. After that, follow the steps to install the watchOS update.
- Change the iPhone region by going to Settings > General > Language & Region > Region and choosing a different country. Now, try updating your Apple Watch. Whether it’s successful or not, make sure you follow the same steps to switch back to your correct location.
14. Unpair and erase your Apple Watch and set it up again
If you’re still unable to download the latest watchOS update, go through the FAQs below. In case the problem persists, unpair your Apple Watch from your iPhone to erase it completely. Then, set it up again, and retry updating your Apple Watch.
How to know how much of an update is already downloaded?
You only see the estimated time remaining on the update screen. It doesn’t display how many MBs or GBs of the watchOS update file has already been downloaded. To see this, go to the Watch app > My Watch > General > Storage and look at the watchOS update name.
You can check this periodically to see if the number here increases or remains the same. If it changes, that means the Apple Watch update is being downloaded successfully.
How much time does it take to update the Apple Watch?
Depending on the size of the watchOS update, it’s normal for your Apple Watch to take anywhere between a few minutes to an hour to successfully download, prepare, verify, and install the update.
As you already know, the time it takes to download also depends on your Wi-Fi speed.
Apple Watch update is taking hours! How to fix this?
As mentioned above, it’s normal for your Apple Watch to take up to an hour to update. This statement is especially true when it’s a major watchOS update like the new watchOS 26. But if you believe it’s taking abnormally long, check out our guide to speed up Apple Watch software updates.
How to fix the Apple Watch update preparing for a long time?
Once the Apple Watch update file is downloaded, it takes a few minutes to prepare the update. Do not close the Watch app or turn off your iPhone or Apple Watch while the update is preparing. Wait for about 30 minutes before assuming the update is stuck.
Can I update the Apple Watch without my iPhone?
Starting with watchOS 6, you can update your Apple Watch without your iPhone by going to the Apple Watch Settings app > General > Software Update > Download and Install. When you do this, make sure your Apple Watch is connected to a known Wi-Fi network. However, note that in some cases, you may need to agree to the terms and conditions for the new watchOS version, which can be done only in the Watch app on your iPhone.
How to fix “Unable to Install Update” on Apple Watch?
When you see this notification or pop-up, make sure you follow the basic requirements of updating the Apple Watch (mentioned above). After that, open the Watch app on the paired iPhone and try updating your Apple Watch again. It should work.
Check out next: How to fix Apple Watch stuck on the Apple logo