Are you getting the “Apple Watch unable to check for update” error while trying to update your Apple Watch? If yes, then you are not the only one facing this issue. Many Apple Watch users have reported this problem.
Fortunately, it is a minute issue you can fix yourself at home without taking your Apple Watch to the Apple Store or risking your device warranty. This problem often occurs due to a poor internet connection or the WatchOS server issue. Even my Apple Watch Series 7 faced similar problems while updating the Watch OS. The good news is that I could fix it by following the tips below.
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In this troubleshooting guide, I will explain in detail how I resolved Apple Watch OS update problems. By following this simple troubleshooting guide, you will also be able to fix this problem quickly. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Apple Watch Unable to Check for Update
Before you update your Apple watch, make sure you have gone through this troubleshooting guide.
Charge Apple Watch and iPhone at least 50%
Before you start updating your Apple watch, make sure that your Apple Watch and iPhone have at least 50% of battery in it. It is important to have a good battery backup because, during the update process, the watch and phone consume more power than usual.
Whenever I update my Apple watch or iPhone, I connect it to a charger to avoid any power-related issues.
“Always use the original charger and adaptor to charge your iPhone and Apple Watch.“
Also Read: How To Charge Apple Watch Without Charger? (A Myth Buster)
Check internet connection
A stable internet connection is important to update your Apple watch without any issues. So, before you start the update process, please check your internet connection. If you are using a wifi network to update your watch, ensure it is stable. If you have internet issues, you can try them by fixing the following tips below:
- Turn on and off flight mode.
- Restart your Apple watch.
- Restart the router.
- Make sure that the iPhone is connected to the wifi
- Connect iPhone and Apple watch to the same wifi
Please follow the simple steps below if you wonder how to turn on the wifi on your Apple Watch.
- Go to the “Settings” on your Apple Watch.
- Turn on wifi by toggling the switch to the right.
- Your Apple Watch will now start scanning for available wifi networks.
- Choose your network and enter the password to connect to that network.
If you are not on a reliable internet connection, the update may take a long time or stuck in the middle. In the worse scenario, it may give you “Apple Watch unable to check for update.”
Update your iPhone to the latest Software
Next, ensure your iPhone runs on the latest iOS software. You can check for any new updates by going to “Settings -> General -> Software Update.” If an update is available, download and install it.
After installing the latest iOS software, restart your iPhone and Apple Watch. Now try to update your watch again; hopefully, it will start updating without any issues.
If you are still unable to update your watch, please move on to the next method.
Restart your iPhone and Apple Watch
If you still get the “Apple Watch unable to check for update” error, try restarting your iPhone and Apple Watch. This is a simple but effective method that often solves many issues. If you are not sure how to restart your Apple Watch, please follow the steps below:
To restart your Apple Watch, press and hold the side button again and wait for the Apple Watch to turn on.
- Tap on the screen or crown to wake up the screen.
- Press and hold the side button(Approx 10 Sec) until you see the Apple Logo
- Press and hold the power button(located on the side) and release it once the power slider appears.
- Now, drag the “Power Off” button to the right side.
- Wait for at least 30 seconds and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo on the watch screen.
How to restart iPhone?
- Press and hold the power button and sound up button simultaneously.
- Now move the “Slide to Power Off” button to the right side.
- Press and hold the side button(10 seconds) until you see Apple Logo turn on the iPhone.
- Done
Check Bluetooth Connection
Your Apple Phone and watch must be connected via Bluetooth to update the Software. So, make sure the Bluetooth connection is turned on and both devices are close to each other. You can check the Bluetooth connection by going to “Settings -> Bluetooth” on your iPhone and then checking if your Apple Watch is connected or not.
If your Apple Watch is not connected, turn flight mode on and off and try connecting your devices again. If you still have trouble connecting both devices, try restarting your iPhone and Apple Watch. After that, please recheck the Bluetooth connection.
Unpair and pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone.
If none of the methods above worked for you, unpairing and then re-pairing your Apple Watch with your iPhone might help you connect your watch and phone via Bluetooth. This process will delete all data from your watch, so please back up your watch before proceeding.
Release some storage space on your device
The update process requires a certain amount of free storage space. If you dont have enough space to download and install new Software, the watch may display the “Apple Watch unable to check for update” error. So, make sure there is enough storage space on your iPhone and Apple Watch before trying to update the Software.
You can check how much free storage space you have by going to “Settings -> General -> About” on your Apple Watch. If there is insufficient storage space, please delete some unwanted files or apps from your watch to free up some space.
Limited storage space is one of the most common causes of software update failure on Apple Watches and iPhones. Once you create some space on your watch, you may be able to update the Software successfully.
Conclusion
If you are facing “Apple Watch unable to check for update,” these are some of the best troubleshooting methods that may help you fix the problem. I created this guide after testing all these methods on my Apple Watch, and I hope this guide will be helpful for you. But if none of the tips worked for you, don’t hesitate to contact Apple Support for more help.
Saneesh VS is a tech and fitness enthusiast. He has been reviewing smartwatches and fitness trackers for the past few years and is passionate about it. He writes about the latest news in the industry, helpful tips, and buying guides. You can find him working out or spending time with his family when he’s not writing or reviewing gadgets.