How to Fix Apple Watch Unable to Check for Updates?

Do you have an Apple Watch and have been having trouble with the “Unable to Check for Update” error? The updated symbol on your Apple Watch continues blinking, so you can’t use it to search for available updates and install the newest version of the software. First, make sure your internet connection is stable and your storage needs aren’t being exceeded.

Because of this frustrating problem, Apple Watch owners may feel like they’re stuck in a loop. The problem can, however, be fixed in a variety of ways. Use our how-to guide to quickly and effectively fix the “Unable to Check for Update” error on your Apple Watch.

What do you say we begin?

What to Do If Your Apple Watch Is Unable to Check for Updates

Consider the following solutions before updating the Apple Watch’s software. The Apple Watch bug “Cannot check for updates” should now be fixed using these steps. Check out each one when you find it.

Verify that you are connected to the web.

Make sure your Apple Watch is connected to your iPhone’s internet connection or to the internet directly via Wi-Fi or cellular before proceeding.

Apple’s software updates, like those of any other original equipment manufacturer, require a constant internet connection. The purpose of this is to guarantee that the upgrade goes off without a hitch. That being said, problems with your Apple iPhone’s Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity could be the root cause of failed software updates.

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You might think your iPhone is linked, but it’s still a good idea to double-check. You may test how steady the Wi-Fi connection is by turning it off and back on again. It helps your smartwatch and phone reconnect to each other and the internet.

How to toggle off Wi-Fi on Apple Watch

Navigate to Settings on your iPhone
Check Wi-Fi and if it is turned on
Toggle off the switch next to Wi-Fi if it is on
Turn off your iPhone
Now, restart your iPhone and go to Settings
Switch on Wi-Fi
Try to update your Apple Watch again

If this doesn’t work, then the software update is being blocked by some other issue on your device. Follow the steps below to try and fix the problem.

Invoke the Apple Watch’s Restart function.

If it doesn’t solve the problem, restarting your Apple Watch might help. Many small issues can be resolved by simply restarting your device.

How to restart Apple Watch

Press and hold the side button on your Apple Watch
Wait for a menu to show up with options
Now, drag the Power Off slider to restart
To restart, press and hold the side button again and wait for the Apple Watch to turn on

You should now check to see if the reboot helps your Apple Watch unable to check for update issues. If not, move to the next fix.

Check that your Apple Watch is properly plugged into a power source.

It is recommended that you charge your Apple Watch before beginning the update process. To avoid any hiccups during the update process, do this.

It is possible that charging your Apple Watch while updating to the latest version of watchOS will resolve the issue, provided that you have access to the internet and that your device meets the system requirements.

How to Fix Apple Watch Unable to Check for Updates

The battery may be at the heart of the problem, yet your Apple Watch has shown yet another error message. If you want to rule out that possibility, you can use this approach.

Make sure your Apple Watch has at least 50% juice.

Like any other original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Apple suggests waiting until your Apple Watch has at least 50% battery life before attempting a software update.

If you have been attempting to update the software on your Apple Watch when the battery is below 50%, you should charge it as soon as possible and try again when the battery is at least 70% or fully charged.

Verify that Bluetooth is activated.

It’s important to make sure your iPhone and Apple Watch can communicate without any hiccups via Bluetooth. You will need to power down and power up your iPhone to restore the link.

The iPhone’s Bluetooth switch

Navigate to Settings on your iPhone
Look for Bluetooth and check if it is turned on
Turn off the toggle switch next to Bluetooth if it is on
Power off your iPhone
Now, restart your iPhone and navigate to Settings
Switch on Bluetooth
Check to confirm that you can now update your Apple Watch

The Apple Watch continues to report that it is “unable to check for updates,” so far without a solution in sight. Proceed to the next level.

Take away all electronics and software

Each upgrade to your Apple Watch can only consume so much space. If your Watch is already full of media and apps, and there isn’t enough space on the device to download new updates, the download will fail.

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This could cause problems with the face of your Apple Watch or any system updates you try to install. Fortunately, you can solve the problem on your own by clearing some space on your Apple Watch.

On your Apple Watch, go to Settings > General
Now, tap on Usage and check the available space
Remove the files (media and apps) that you rarely use on Apple Watch, making space for your updates to download and install

If your Apple Watch is still experiencing difficulties after you have freed up storage capacity, proceed to the next step.

Your Apple Watch needs an update, so unpair it and install it.

You may reset your Apple Watch to factory settings by disconnecting it from your iPhone. Unpairing can clear the system and fix the problem when an update runs into an unanticipated problem or trash memory difficulties.

WARNING: Unpairing your Apple Watch may cause it to stop functioning. Do you have a transport card saved in the Wallet app on your Apple Watch? Make sure the card is gone before you unpair. Doing so will help keep your Apple Watch in working order.

How to unpair your Apple Watch

Place the iPhone and Apple Watch close to each other
Open the Watch app on your iPhone
Go to the My Watch tab and tap All Watches
Tap the Info button next to your Apple Watch name
Select Unpair Apple Watch and tap to confirm
On your phone, you may have to enter your Apple ID password to complete the process

If you’ve unpaired your Apple Watch, you’ll need to go through the initial setup process all over again.

To force restart your Apple Watch and iPhone

To what extent have you unpaired your Apple Watch? Have you been able to check for updates on your Apple Watch now? If it doesn’t work, try restarting your Apple Watch and iPhone by holding down the power button.

The way to forcibly restart your Apple Watch

Press and hold the Side button and the Digital Crown simultaneously
Release the buttons once you see the Apple logo. Ignore the power-off slider that appears on the screen

How to force restart iPhone

Force restart an iPhone with Face ID

Press and immediately release the Volume Up and Down buttons
Quickly after that, Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo shows up on the screen

Force restart iPhone 8 or iPhone SE

Press and hold both the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button simultaneously
Wait for the Apple logo to show up and then release both buttons

Force restart iPhone 7

Press and hold both the Sleep/Wake button and the Volume Down button simultaneously
Wait for the Apple logo to show up and then release both buttons

Restore Apple Watch from backup

After trying every method, your next step should be to restore your Apple Watch from its current backup.

How to restore Apple Watch from the latest backup:

Open the Watch app on your iPhone
Go to the My Watch tab and tap All Watches
Tap the Info button next to your Apple Watch name
Select Unpair Apple Watch and tap to confirm
Wait for 5 minutes and re-pair it with your Apple Watch, but this time, select to restore from backup and not as new

Assuming the pairing went smoothly, check if the Apple Watch update problem has been fixed.

Initiate a network reset

You can count on your iPhone’s Wi-Fi connection, although hiccups in the network’s configuration are possible. That’s why it’s not uncommon for Apple Watch software updates to get damaged or incomplete.

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Resetting your network settings to their factory defaults will wipe your device clean of any saved network credentials, cellular data, or other customizations. Neither your data nor your privacy will be jeopardized in any way. Your Wi-Fi and cellular credentials will be required once again after the reset.

How to reset network settings

Open Settings on your iPhone
Tap General and choose Reset
Now, tap Reset Network Settings
Enter your passcode
Tap Reset Network Settings to confirm

After you’re done with the Reset, your iPhone will restart automatically. Enter your network and phone passwords again. Make sure your Apple Watch is still operational by giving it a quick test. When prompted to do so, re-pair your Apple Watch with your iOS device.

Guide to Installing the Latest Apple Watch Software

Apple Watch software upgrades can be installed either via your iPhone or from the Apple Watch itself.

Always make sure your Apple Watch is up-to-date.

The best method to guarantee that your Apple devices have the most recent bug fixes and security enhancements is to update them. To ensure compatibility between your iPhone and Apple Watch, you should update watchOS whenever iOS does.

The iPhone prompts, “Apple Watch, update.”

If you receive a message on your iPhone reading “Your Apple Watch software is out of date,” you should upgrade to the most recent version of watchOS to ensure that your data, such as Activity data, maintains syncing to your iPhone.

Prepare for the upcoming Apple Watch upgrade.

watchOS 8 works with Apple Watch Series 3 and later models, as well as the Apple Watch SE. However, in order to install watchOS 8, an iPhone 6s or later will need to be running iOS 15 or later.

Before installing an update on your Apple Watch, make sure you’ve checked the following!

Install the most recent version of iOS on your iPhone
A 50% charge is recommended for your Apple Watch to initiate a software update
Make sure your iPhone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi connection
Place your iPhone and Apple Watch within close range of each other
The update may take anything from a few minutes to an hour to finish

Apple Watch software updates can be installed via iPhone.

Your Apple Watch will alert you whenever an update is available. You may now choose between having the update downloaded and installed automatically or manually on your iPhone.

Methods for enabling automatic Apple Watch updates

1. Select Update Tonight when prompted by your Apple Watch, and then verify the update on your iPhone.

2. Leave your Apple Watch and iPhone charging and near together overnight to make sure the update is finished. Make sure that both gadgets have Wi-Fi enabled and are connected.

How to update Apple Watch manually from iPhone

Open the Apple Watch app on iPhone
Now, tap the My Watch tab
Click General > Software Update
Download the latest update. Enter your iPhone passcode or Apple Watch passcode, whichever is asked
Wait for the update to start on your Apple Watch
It may take a few minutes or even close to an hour for the update to finish

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Remember that leaving your Apple Watch plugged in during the installation process is recommended. Your iPhone or watch won’t need to be restarted. Once the update is complete, your Apple Watch will restart automatically.

Immediate Information for Your Apple Watch

If your Apple Watch is already running watchOS 6 or later, you can upgrade it without the help of your iPhone.

Ensure your Apple Watch is connected to a stable Wi-Fi connection
Open the Settings app on your watch
Tap General > Software Update
If a new update is available, tap Install and follow the instructions

Issues Updating Your Apple Watch

If you have been facing issues while updating your Apple Watch, you must try the steps given below.

Ensure that your Apple Watch is connected to its charger
Press and hold the side button on your Apple Watch and then move the on-screen slider to power it off
Press and hold the side button again to restart the Apple Watch
You must also restart your paired iPhone alongside
Attempt installing the update again
In case the update does not initiate, open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap General > Usage > Software Update > Delete the update file
After deleting the file, try installing the watchOS update again

What to Do If You Have a Beta Version of iOS or watchOS

Remove the beta profile from your Apple Watch and iPhone if you have loaded a beta version of iOS or watchOS. To get rid of the test profile, do what I say.

Getting rid of your watchOS beta profile

Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone
Tap the My Watch tab
Go to General > Profiles
Tap Beta Profile > Delete Profile
Enter your iPhone passcode when prompted

How to delete the iOS Beta profile

On your iPhone, open Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management
Tap Beta Profile > Delete Profile
Enter your iPhone passcode when prompted

FAQs: Answers to Your Burning Questions

Here are explanations for two queries frequently posed concerning Apple Watch problems where updates can’t be checked for.

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What can I do if I am unable to do an update check?

If your Apple Watch won’t update, make sure your iPhone is connected to the internet, charge both devices, and clear some space on your Apple Watch.

Can I force an Apple Watch software update?

It is possible to force an upgrade on your Apple Watch by installing newer versions of the watch’s apps. Simply update your apps individually or tap Update All in the App Store after going to your Account page.

Conclusion

And at this point, that is well enough. Which of these did you find to be the most helpful? Explain it to us!

Get in touch with Apple Support and arrange for an official repair if the Apple Watch continues to display the “unable to check for update” problem.

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