Are you having trouble checking for updates on your Apple watch? Don't worry. This is a minor problem that can be fixed by resetting the Apple Watch, connecting the device to a stable WiFi, Restarting the Apple Watch, resetting the network settings, and even changing your region in the settings.
Apple watches are not immune to issues like this. I have owned one for a couple of years and was unable to check for updates at times, which impacted how the watch functioned. Fortunately, I was able to find quick solutions on my own. If you are experiencing the same issue, you are in the right place. Read this to find one that will work for you.
- How To Fix An Apple Watch Unable To Check For Updates?
- 1. Check Internet Connection
- 2. Restart Apple Watch
- 3. Uninstall And Install Apple Watch App
- 4. Clear Storage
- 5. Delete Beta Profile
- 6. Charge The Apple Watch
- 7. Unpair And Re-Pair The Apple Watch
- 8. Change Region
- 9. Restore From A Backup
- 10. Reset Network Settings
- 11. Contact Apple Support
- Conclusion
How To Fix An Apple Watch Unable To Check For Updates?
The following are ways you can use to fix an Apple watch that is unable to check for updates.
1. Check Internet Connection
You cannot handle any updates if the internet connection is not working. The first thing you should do is to check if your Apple Watch is connected to the internet. An Apple Watch can connect to the Internet via an iPhone or directly to any available WiFi.
Every Apple update requires a stable internet connection for it to be successful. If the device is connected to the internet but still not working, you may have to toggle it off first, then turn it on again if you are unable to check for updates. To do this:
- Open Settings.
- Navigate to WiFi and check if it is active.
- Turn off the WiFi.
- Wait about 30 seconds.
- Toggle WiFi back on.
With the internet connection restored, you can now update your Apple watch without any issues.
2. Restart Apple Watch
Restarting the Apple watch is another possible fix if the software update failed. This will eliminate any minor glitches that could interfere with how the Apple Watch connects to the internet for the updates to occur.
To restart the Apple watch:
- Press and hold the Side button
- Continue holding the button until a menu pops up on the screen.
- From the options, choose Power Off.
- Drag the slider to turn off the watch.
- Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the Side button once more to restart the device.
With the device restarted, try the software update again. The process will now be smooth without any complications.
3. Uninstall And Install Apple Watch App
Another efficient method you can use if the software update failed is to uninstall and install the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. This may help get rid of any glitch that could block any software update from taking place on the device.
To delete and reinstall the app:
- Open your iPhone.
- Tap on the Watch App and hold.
- Choose “Rearrange Apps” and tap on the minus icon to remove the app.
- Tap Delete.
- Open the App Store and download the Watch App.
Once the installation process is complete, try updating the watchOS to the latest version. You should not experience any problem at this point.
4. Clear Storage
The storage on Apple watches usually ranges from 8GB to 32GB. This may sound like a lot but filling it up is relatively easy. You will not be able to update your Apple watch if the storage is full since each update requires some space for new files to be downloaded.
So if you're struggling with a software update on your Apple watch, consider checking the amount of storage left and clearing it before attempting to update the watch again.
To check and clear storage on your Apple Watch:
- Open settings.
- Go to general.
- Click on usage to check the available space.
- If the space left is too little, remove files that you don't use, including the apps.
Once you have cleared the space, try updating the Apple watch once more to see if you have dealt with the Apple Watch unable to check for update problems.
5. Delete Beta Profile
The Apple beta software program is usually a unique way of helping the company test drive some important apps before they're released to the public. However, having a better profile on your Apple watch may lead to some complications that could interfere with the ability of your device to update to the latest iOS version.
This is because beta versions usually come with many glitches, and that's why they're being test-driven to see how they can be smoothed out. The Apple Watch unable to check for update problems you may be experiencing could be as a result of this.
If your watch is running on any watchOS beta profile and you keep experiencing updating issues, consider deleting that better profile to get rid of the problem.
To delete a Beta profile:
- On your iPhone, launch the Watch app.
- Tap on the My Watch tab.
- Open General.
- Tap Profile.
- Select the Beta Profile you want to delete and tap “Delete Profile.” Enter your Apple ID password to complete the process.
You should now be able to update your Apple watch series device without any other issue.
6. Charge The Apple Watch
Ensure that the device is fully charged or connected to a charger when dealing with an Apple Watch update. This is to avoid any permanent software corruption if the update is interrupted. If your Apple Watch cannot update, check the battery percentage. If it is below 50%, connect it to a charger immediately and let it charge to capacity before attempting the update process. This should fix the Apple Watch unable to check for update problems right away.
7. Unpair And Re-Pair The Apple Watch
Unpairing the Apple Watch SE immediately switches the device back to default settings. If you happen to encounter errors when trying to update your Apple watch, then unpair it to clear the system and eliminate any bug or software glitches that may be interfering with the update process.
However, a point to note is that you need to remove any Transit card associated with the Apple watch in your wallet app. This is to prevent any future issues with your Apple Watch next time you try to log back in and use it for in-app purchases.
To unpair your Apple Watch:
- Place your Apple Watch and your iPhone close to each other.
- Launch the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Navigate to the My Watch tab and select All Watches.
- Tap on the info button found next to your Apple watch name.
- Choose Unpair Apple Watch and tap to confirm.
- You will need to enter your iPhone passcode on your iPhone to complete this process.
Once you're done with the unpairing process, you will need to set it up again before attempting another Apple Watch software update.
Related Reading
- 13 Ways To Fix Apple Watch Not Pairing with iPhone
- Apple Watch Stuck on Apple Logo? - Here Are 6 Quick Fixes!
8. Change Region
You could be experiencing the Apple Watch unable to check for update issues due to server problems in certain regions. It is common for Apple servers to go offline in some areas, and this could interfere with updates even if you're connected to stable internet. If this is your current situation, consider changing your region and see if the updates will succeed. You will have to unpair your Apple watch first before attempting this.
To change your region on your Apple Watch:
- Switch to your iPhone.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on General.
- Navigate to Language & Region.
- Tap Region and select another location of a preferred choice from the options.
- Re-pair your Apple Watch to your iPhone device and try updating it.
Updating your Apple watch should now be possible.
9. Restore From A Backup
You can get your Apple watch back to normal functioning by restoring it from a backup. This is especially effective if the issue is caused by an update from an app that could interfere with the watch's ability to update to the next latest firmware version.
To restore your Apple Watch from a backup:
- On your iPhone, open the Watch app.
- Navigate to the My Watch tab and select All Watches.
- Tap on the info button beside your Apple watch name.
- Choose Unpair Apple Watch and tap once to confirm.
- Wait about 5 minutes and re-pair the Apple watch once more, but this time, choose restore from backup to complete the process.
10. Reset Network Settings
Another potential solution you can use to solve the Apple Watch unable to check for update problems is to reset network settings. You may have a stable internet connection, but still, experience problems updating your Apple watch. If that's the case, resetting the network settings could help eliminate any possible glitch behind this malfunction.
A network reset will eliminate all your cellular data settings, your customized network configurations, and your previously saved passwords. You don't have to create any backups since your data will not be affected. All you need to do once the reset is done is to set up your WiFi and other connections from scratch once again.
To reset network settings:
- Open your iPhone.
- Launch the Watch app.
- Go to the My Watch tab.
- Select General, then go to Reset.
- Tap on “Erase Apple Watch Content and Settings.”
- Enter your iPhone passcode when prompted and let the process run to the end.
This should solve your Apple Watch unable to check for update issues on the spot.
11. Contact Apple Support
If you still can't fix the Apple Watch unable to check for update issues, the problem is most likely beyond your abilities, and the next option will be to take your device to an Apple Centre for a detailed diagnosis. Make sure you set up an appointment beforehand, wire a call, a live chat, or email before taking the device for a thorough check-up.
Related Reading
- How to Ping Apple Watch (The Easiest Way)
- How To Reset Apple Watch Without Apple ID [Basic Guide]
Conclusion
This completes our review of the possible solutions you can try to fix your Apple Watch if you are unable to check for updates. You should find one or two fixes that will work for you. Updating your Apple Watch will help you get the best out of it, so ensure that you find a solution for this problem as fast as you can.