The Apple Watch is a great gadget that does a lot more than tell the time. You can make calls, send messages, and even do contactless payments — all from your wrist. Tracking your activity is easy too, perfect for keeping tabs on your fitness.
To make sure you’re getting the most out of your Apple smart watch, it's important to update it every once in a while. Not only for security, but so you can enjoy some neat new features too. In this step-by-step guide, we'll show you how to update your Apple Watch in a tick.
How to update your Apple Watch without an iPhone
Haven’t got your iPhone to hand? No problem, you can do updates directly on your Apple Watch if it has watchOS 6 or later. You’ll need to make sure it’s connected to Wi-Fi, and it’s probably best to leave it on charge too. You won’t want it running out of juice halfway through the update!
Here’s how to do an Apple Watch update without your iPhone:
Open up the Settings app (gear icon).
Tap on ‘General’, then click on ‘Software Update’.
If an update is available, tap ‘Install’ to download the new Apple Watch software update.
Enter your password if prompted.
Wait for the update to install (this might take a few minutes).
Your Apple Watch will restart, and you’ll be good to go.
How to update your Apple Watch with an iPhone
An Apple Watch syncs up perfectly with an iPhone. They really help get the best out of each other. And you can even use your iPhone to update your Apple smart watch to the latest software.
Just follow these simple steps:
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, then tap on the ‘My Watch’ tab.
Go to ‘General’ and tap on ‘Software Update’.
Download the latest Apple Watch update. You might need to enter your iPhone or Apple Watch passcode to continue.
A progress wheel will appear on your Apple Watch screen.
Wait for the update to complete.
My Apple Watch won't update: what do I do?
Sometimes, you might not be able to install Apple Watch updates. But don’t worry. If your Apple Watch is not updating, try the following troubleshooting steps:
Make sure your Apple Watch is charged to at least 50% and plugged into its charger.
Check that your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi and has the latest version of iOS.
Have your Apple Watch in range of your iPhone.
Check that your Apple Watch is compatible with the latest software (if it’s an older model).
If those don’t do the trick or you’re seeing a “Cannot Install Update” message, it could mean that your Apple Watch storage is full. You can easily check how much available space your watch has in the Settings app. And if you need to make room for the update, just remove unused apps and any photos or music you have synced to your watch.
How often does the Apple Watch update?
Apple doesn’t have an update schedule for their Apple Watch. They’ll only release a software update when something like a security fix is needed. Or if they’ve been cooking up a cool new feature!
On average, your Apple Watch will probably need a watchOS update every few weeks. And there might also be some smaller fixes and improvements in between. You can find a list of Apple’s most recent watchOS 10 updates on their website.
It’s important to keep your Apple Watch updated on the reg too. Software updates improve performance and give you access to handy new features. But the security fixes are most important as they make sure that your data is protected. Plus, your Apple Watch won't pair without an update if you leave it too long.
FAQs
Why is my Apple Watch charging slowly after update?
If you’re experiencing slow charging after an Apple Watch software update, it’s probably because of Apple’s ‘Optimised Battery Charging’ feature. This gets turned on automatically after you update to watchOS 7 or later.
With this feature, your Apple Watch will learn from your daily charging habits to help improve the lifespan of its battery. In some situations, this will delay charging past 80% and keep the battery level between 75% and 80%. But it’ll only turn on Optimised Battery Charging when it predicts that it’ll be on charge for a while — like overnight. So, your watch will be fully charged by the time you wake up.
If you want to turn Optimised Battery Charging off, just follow these steps:
Open the Settings app.
Tap on ‘Battery’.
Click on the ‘Battery Health’ option.
Tap to turn off ‘Optimised Battery Charging’.
Why is my Apple Watch stuck on update?
Still having issues updating watchOS? If your Apple Watch update is stuck on preparing the update or something similar, give these a go:
Check that your Apple Watch is charging properly when connected to your charger.
Restart both your Apple Watch and iPhone and try again.
If that doesn’t work, try unpairing your Apple Watch from your iPhone and then pairing it again.
And if the update won't start at all, try these steps:
Open up the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
Go to ‘General’ and tap on ‘Software Update’.
Delete the update file.
Try to update your Apple Watch again.
What's new in the latest Apple Watch update?
According to Apple, watchOS 10 "is the biggest update since the introduction of Apple Watch". So, there are plenty of new features and improvements to enjoy.
watchOS 10 highlights include:
Redesigned apps that make the most of the screen.
A ‘Smart Stack’ feature that makes it easy to display timely info you need from any watch face (like showing the weather forecast in the morning).
New watch faces, including a cute Snoopy design.
‘Control Centre’ access made easier by simply tapping the side button.
‘NameDrop’ feature that lets you quickly exchange contact info by bringing your Apple Watch near to someone’s iPhone or Apple Watch.
Enhanced sports and fitness features, such as support for Bluetooth-enabled sensors for cycling.
Any more questions?
See, updating your Apple Watch is easy! If you want to learn about more the features on your Apple wearable, check out our Apple Watch: everything you need to know article. Or read our piece on how to pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone.
And to get the most out of your Apple Watch, take a look at our big range of smart fitness accessories too. Including screen protectors, cool straps, and even magnetic chargers.
