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Q: How do you automatically update 3rd party Apple Watch apps

I've had my Apple Watch for a few months now, and I've installed the WatchOS updates when I'm notified that they are available. However, I don't know when, or if ever, the 3rd party app have been updated. Can someone who knows how this work explain the mechanism? My iPhone is configure to download application updates automatically. When and how do 3rd party Apple watch applications update? 

Apple Watch, watchOS 2.1, white sport band, aluminum

Posted on Jul 26, 2016 5:28 AM

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Q: How do you automatically update 3rd party Apple Watch apps

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  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Jul 26, 2016 5:32 AM in response to AxeBox360
    Level 7 (33,693 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jul 26, 2016 5:32 AM in response to AxeBox360

    Hi

     

    On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch > General > App Install > turn on Automatic App Install.

     

    With this setting enabled, any updates to apps on your iPhone that are compatible with your watch - along with any future app purchases - will automatically sync to your watch.

     

    More information:

    Use third-party apps on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

  • by AxeBox360,

    AxeBox360 AxeBox360 Jul 26, 2016 6:14 AM in response to Jonathan UK
    Level 1 (43 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jul 26, 2016 6:14 AM in response to Jonathan UK

    is there a way to know when the watch app updates? on the iPhone, I can go into the app start application and see the update history.

     

    AND when do the watch apps update? When I charge by watch? At midnight? Hourly?

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Jul 26, 2016 6:16 AM in response to AxeBox360
    Level 7 (33,693 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jul 26, 2016 6:16 AM in response to AxeBox360

    Apps are updated on the watch as and when the companion iOS app is updated.

  • by AxeBox360,

    AxeBox360 AxeBox360 Jul 27, 2016 5:38 AM in response to AxeBox360
    Level 1 (43 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jul 27, 2016 5:38 AM in response to AxeBox360

    It looks like there isn't an way to know when and which apps have been updated on my Apple Watch at time of this writing. I'll put a suggestion in to Apple for them to have a dedicated log for Watch apps.

     

    Thanks to those who attempted to answer this question, but all of the answers depended on assumptions such as assume when an iPhone app updated, the Apple Watch app updated as well. the point of this question is to find a way to verify that it happened.