My Apple Watch app stopped working after updating my iPhone XR to iOS 14. I tried to delete it, but it won’t delete. When I try to open the app, all I get is the “Apple Watch is syncing” screen. (I didn’t start the sync process. ) Also, my Apple Watch 3 no longer syncs with the phone (the Fitness app doesn’t work either). I synced my phone to iCloud and reset my phone, but the problem persists. I hope to find a solution to this issue.
iPhone XR
I was experiencing similar issues. Even after a factory reset of my Watch and a factory reset of my iPhone (with a subsequent restore from iCloud) I was running into the issue of the Watch app not launching or presenting me with a syncing screen. I eventually was able to work around it by removing the Watch app from my phone. As many might discover, starting in iOS14 you can not actually "delete" the Watch app, rather you can "Remove it from your home screen". I found that by going into Settings-->iPhone Storage-->Watch and selecting the option "Offload App" I was actually able to remove the app off my iPhone (I had a hard time finding the Watch app in iPhone Storage so I actually used the magnifying glass in the upper right of the screen to search for it). Once that was accomplished I was able to go into the App Store and re-download the Watch app, to my astonishment the Watch app launched and functioned without issue.
A CAUTIONARY NOTE: After re-downloading the app and "setting up my Watch" I noticed that while I was able to setup my Watch from my prior backup I had lost ALL of my activity and health data. While somewhat frustrating I felt it an acceptable trade-off since I was able to use my Watch and iPhone again.
Not sure if it will work for others, but I figured I would share my experience with others. Good luck.
I was able to sync my watch to the phone and the fitness app started working again. I lost some of my achievements, but I'm fine with it. But I must note that I did not update the watch to the latest update yet. I'm too scared to do it right now.
After 2 plus hours on the phone with tech support the other night, I finally got my phone to restore yesterday and delete the Apple Watch app. The first couple of times it was still doing the same thing. Roughly 24 hours after repairing the watch and phone, back square one with the app immediately crashing when I try to open it and my watch not seeing the phone. Support made no indication that they were aware of this issue. Seemed not even understand or believe what I was saying until the 3rd tech I got transferred to did a screen share and saw it. They left it with if the restore didn’t work I would need to send my phone in for a repair/replace which seems ridiculous for one app.
Same exact issue here. Using an iPhone X with iOS 14.0.1. It made me unpair and factory reset my Apple Watch. Tried everything from resetting it, to deleting Watch app, to even deleting any backups and all watch data. No matter what it brings me back to the “watchOS 6.1 is up to date”, but when I try to back out, it says it needs to update or it gets reset again. Endless loop. Completely bricked itself just because I updated my iPhone. I just bought new wireless headphones 2 days ago to use with it too. What are the odds (Apple Watch Series 4 Nike version)
I have been having the same issue! My iPhone 8 has been having a lot of trouble lately with apps crashing, watch neither syncing nor the app getting deleted! It’s frustrating as ****. Why wouldn’t they try and fix it! Super irritated and not expected from apple.
Exactly the same issue with my watch app on my iphone 8 plus. Watch is series 5. The app just wont open. It crashes. I even updated the iOS to 14.1 just now hoping that it would fix this issue but no. My watch is reset and i cant even pair it to my phone. I cant even delete the watch app. I dont understand why the **** is Apple not taking this seriously! This is so frustrating!
I was able to delete the Watch app. I even wiped all Watch data from my iPhone including backups, health data etc. I also backed up my iPhone after doing this and wiped the iPhone and the Watch clean. I restored my iPhone using my backup and tried downloading Watch app and setting it all up again. It still said the same thing “watchOS 6.1 up to date”, but then wouldn’t slow me to back out of the screen without wiping the watch again due to the watch needing an update that it says it doesn’t need. Still doesn’t work, tried everything
Done all of these above with Apple support, still no fixed. I was hoping 14.1 would fix this but it didn’t. Glad I paid 500 bucks for series 6 that doesn’t work. Even did a full restore and the Watch app still crashes on launch... I can’t believe this is going on for weeks and they haven’t addressed it?
I agree... Hopefully the next update will help. In the meantime from Amazon I purchased a smart watch inexpensive and the charge is AMAZING! It doesn't have all the bells and whistles obviously but messages, time and steps.
Apple must be hiding in a hidey-hole after reading all our comments. I swear this is so frustrating. Now I know they literally don’t care about their customers. SHAME ON APPLE for still not doing something about it!
I can’t even open my watch app. It just crashes again and again 😭
I am helpless.
Problem is: Factory reset is not so easy for everyone. For example: I'm working since weeks in homeoffice because of the corona desease. I cannot reset and backup my phone, because it will not allow me the reactivation of the software token for VPN connections to my company. And then the connections for banking software and so on...
So my mobile device is - as for many - not only hobby or gaming.
For this reason Apple for me is (was) the first choice: Good working software based on known hardware.
This created the exception: I buy and use it as I need. For this reason I pay even a bit more.
If this will not work anymore in future, I can even setup a linux desktop and use android phones. It will work, but it
will cost me more attention.
In my case: Same problem. I cannot do a factory reset because of many disadvantages. I have a brand new watch but a not working apple watch app.
Or Apple finds a solution for the problem within the next days, or I will send back the watch within the 14 day return period.
I like the apple watch (had the series 4), but I do not pay money for getting frustrated only.
Same case, the application doesn't even launch so it is impossible to pair the watch with my Iphone X, the application is impossible to delete it... I updated yesterday to iOS 14.1 and it didn't fix the situation at all, actually now is even worst because it's impossible to delete the app from iPhone storage menu inside the settings as I read in early comments on this post... Talked to iPhone support and suggested a factory reset on both devices, which isn't an option for me since I can't afford loosing access to VPNs. This is a total disaster and after the most recent iOS update I'm starting to think that Apple doesn't even have this issue on its radar
Did not work for me so I spent a ton of time doing all that and now have a non-functioning watch. Glad it worked for you but seems to only work for some. And not sure why Apple won’t tell us why it happened in the first place which means it can happen to others again.
Fitness is about trend. I now have lost that trend w Apple Watch which is why I have the watch.
None of that worked for me. I have a new error now:
1) Start up Apple watch 4 and scan the image with iPhone
2) iPhone X says the watch needs an update
3) Click continue update
4) Software Update screens shows and proceeds to say "Unable to check for update. Checking for a software update failed because you are not connected to the internet. Start Over | Try Again".
I am connected to Wifi with great signal and working internet (I'm a software engineer so yes it's working fine).
I also have perfectly normal cell signal with 4g LTE. It will not allow me to "Try Again" as it loops in the same error forever, so I am forced to "Start Over" and get stuck in the update/restart loop indefinitely.
The watch is still bricked.
Apple, where are you? Can you fix this?
This is a complete scandal. If you bought a car that didn’t drive you wouldn’t just be expected to put up with it. Sorry but none of the suggestions have worked for me and I have wasted days trying to figure this issue out. Does anyone from Apple even monitor these forums? I am feeling totally ripped off. Apple have been useless on the phone with the last senior tech advisor telling me that they were aware if the problem but it could be weeks or months before they found a fix. 🤬
Apple Watch App Not Working After iOS 14 Update
