A guide to downloading and installing the latest watchOS software.
Updating your Apple Watch is your ticket to the best in smartwatch functionality—and every major watchOS update brings new features. But Apple regularly releases small updates that fix bugs and add things like new complications and looks, but how are you going to install new Apple Watch software?
Apple Watch requires you to meet several conditions before you can install the watchOS update. And as with any other bundle, sometimes there are issues with the Apple Watch not updating or getting stuck during the process.
Apple Watch tips and tricks: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR WATCH!
See how to check for Apple Watch updates, how to do it, and some troubleshooting tips if you're having trouble.
First you need to unpair your Apple Watch and iPhone
The Apple Watch Series 3 has only 8 GB of memory, almost half of which is occupied by the system. Installed applications, cache, downloaded files take up another couple of gigabytes.
As a result, about 1 GB remains free. To install any watchOS update, you need approximately 3 GB.
Deleting applications, music and photos is useless. At best, there will be a couple of hundred additional megabytes.
The only way to get a lot of free space at once is to unpair your iPhone. This is confirmed by Apple.
Update highlights
Before you get started, you need to familiarize yourself with the main points of the latest version of the software:
- The latest update has improved performance. The system began to make more use of the built-in video accelerator PowerVR SGX543.
- Apple has removed the restriction between the American and European markets. For users, this means one thing: functions available to American users will be localized faster for our customers.
- Due to the two versions of the watch (sports and classic), two versions of the firmware were released (only the OS suitable for the watch model is available to the user for installation).
How to unpair Apple Watch and iPhone
1. Open the Watch app on iPhone 2. Go to the My Watch tab and tap All Watches 3. Tap the i button next to the watch you want to unpair 4. Select Unpair Apple Watch.
Or you can reset your Apple Watch. Both procedures take approximately an hour.
After the first power-on, the watch cannot be restored from a backup copy. They need to be set up like new.
How to update your Apple Watch to watchOS 4
WatchOS 4 is a new operating system designed specifically for installation on the Apple Watch. She presents an improved version. The manufacturer has corrected its shortcomings and added new designs and functions. Let's look at how to properly and quickly update your Apple Watch.
Details about betaprofile
If betaprofile was installed on the device - iOS, watchOS, etc. - it needs to be rolled back. If there are test profiles, it is impossible to reflash the gadget.
To remove the beta version you need:
- Open the iPhone main menu;
- Activate the Apple Watch app;
- Enter the clock tab;
- Open the “Basic” command;
- Click on profiles.
Important! In the window that pops up, you need to click on beta profile and delete it.
Next, on your iPhone you will need to go to the main settings and open the “Profiles” menu. Find the beta version there and remove it. After completing these steps, you can begin updating your AppleWatch according to the scheme below.
2 update stages
The installation procedure for WatchOS 4 is simple. It involves going through two steps:
- Preparation
- Firmware
Both stages consist of several actions. Their implementation is not difficult. All actions are described below in accessible language.
The Apple Watch firmware can be changed using the iPhone. When installing OS4 on an Apple watch, you need to use the latest version of iPhone. Otherwise, the Watch will not update.
Before flashing your AppleWatch, update your iPhone. After the version update is completed, the device must be restarted. When the iPhone turns on, you can reflash the gadget.
3 steps to prepare to install OS4
Preparation consists of 3 simple steps. After updating your iPhone, you need to follow these steps:
- Charge the watch to 100%;
- Connect iPhone to the Internet;
- Place your watch near your iPhone.
Update to WatchOS 4 with the charger cable connected. The gadget may suddenly turn off, which is unacceptable during the process of flashing it. While the watch is updating, the battery drains energy faster than usual.
5 simple update steps
You need to do the following:
- Enter the main menu on iPhone;
- Find the Apple Watch app and open it;
- Click on the clock tab;
Important! At this point, a menu will open where you need to select the correct commands.
- Open the “Basic” command;
- Click on the software update function and start downloading it. A password entry window appears here if one is set on the iPhone or watch.
After completing all the specified actions, Apple Watch will show a progress bar. It informs you about the flashing process. The average procedure time is 30-60 minutes.
During the OS4 installation process, you are prohibited from:
- Turn off power to the clock
- Restart both gadgets
- Close the Apple Watch app
Once the procedure is complete, the watch will restart automatically.
Bottom line
WatchOS 4 gives the user the ability to:
- Work with finances through Apple Pay Cash and Siri
- Enjoy advanced sports features
- Manage your iTunes library through collaboration between your watch and computer
- Install new watch faces - Siri, Toy Story, Kaleidoscope
- Set individual goals based on monthly achievements
- Save TOP news for reading
- Listen to live radio, etc.
Some users received complaints about shortcomings of the previous version. In OS4, the manufacturer has fixed the following errors:
- Inability to fully charge
- Abrupt restart of the gadget after requesting the weather
- No scrolling in the heart rate monitor
- No Dusk/Dawn expansion
- Heart rate tracking when disabled
- No warm-up reminders
- Inability to turn off the timer and alarm, etc.
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Download the new version of watchOS
Downloading the update seems like a simple step that isn't worth describing. But not in the case of Series 3.
Regardless of whether you download the update through your Apple Watch or the Watch app on your iPhone, keep in mind that the firmware download will take at least 6 hours.
In this case, the iPhone and watch must be nearby, otherwise the download will stop and resume 10 minutes later after the devices are again next to each other.
Also, it is not advisable to use an iPhone while downloading the firmware, otherwise the process will be constantly paused.
After downloading the new version of watchOS, installation will begin, which lasts about another hour.
Preparing to update your iWatch
- First, you need to update your iPhone to the latest possible version of iOS.
- You need to make sure that the devices are charging, and the charge level should be at least 50% (it is important that the gadget does not turn off during installation). You can charge the watch via a cable, which will make flashing the Apple Watch easier.
- You need to connect your phone to a Wi-Fi network.
- You should place your mobile device near your iWatch.
Attention! The update takes some time (from 30 minutes to 1 – 2 hours).
Restore your backup
Before downloading the update, we deleted all data and set up the watch as new.
Now you need to restore all settings. To do this, you need to break the pair of Apple Watch and iPhone again (back to the first point).
During the first setup step, select “Restore from backup” rather than “Set up as new.”
This step will take about an hour.
What to do if you couldn't update your Apple Watch?
Very rarely, but still, difficulties may arise during the update. For example, the process may freeze for a very long time, or simply nothing happens. In such cases, the first thing you need to do is check the pairing with your smartphone and make sure that the watch is charging. If everything is fine with this, you should reboot both the watch and the smartphone, and then try again.
If this step does not help, you need to go to the Apple Watch application, go to “General”, then “Application”, then “Software Update”. We delete the update file and repeat the whole process all over again.
If this does not work, you may have to resort to extreme measures - resetting to factory settings.
In this case, all settings and data stored on the watch will be deleted. To reset the settings, you need to go to “Settings”, then “General”, “Reset”, then “Erase content and settings”. Similar articles
I do not advise anyone to buy the Apple Watch Series 3 in 2021
Apple Watch is usually purchased with a reserve of several years. Those who purchased the Series 3 2-4 years ago can easily use the watch today. They do not work at lightning speed, but outright brakes are very rare. The charge lasts for almost two days.
But buying a Series 3 today to use in the next couple of years is insane. You won't be constantly installing updates, and with the Series 3 you don't have to. Before installing watchOS 8, my watch was running watchOS 7.4, which came out six months ago.
The Series 3 will no longer receive new features and watch faces. The most you can count on is updated applications, which are not always needed.
I was very surprised when Apple kept the Series 3 on sale. You can live with the lack of new features and watch faces, but installing updates is clearly not happening the way it should be in an Apple product. And this does not take into account the fact that it takes a whole day to update the watch.
I unpaired my Apple Watch from my iPhone at 10am and received a working Apple Watch around 7pm.
At the same time, I had to practically not use my iPhone so that the download of the update would not be paused. On topic: Apple Watch SE review.
Best smartwatches in 2022, inexpensive If you are thinking about buying the cheapest Apple Watch, then go for the SE. They are 7-10 thousand more expensive, you may have to save up, but they are definitely worth the money. Apple Watch Series 3 should not be purchased under any circumstances.
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