Can’t set up Apple Watch for a family member

Thanks for getting back to us and keeping us up to speed on what you're encountering adar210,

Is the Apple Watch that's being set up, a model with cellular

functionality? It doesn't need to have an active cellular plan currently set

up.

If so, let's try the following steps, testing again after each, to

see if you can complete the setup process:

First, backup and update the iPhone you're using for the setup.

You can find guidance on updating, here: Update your

iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Next, make sure the iPhone is connected to a private home Wi-Fi

network for the process, and that the date and time on the iPhone are set

correctly, or "Set Automatically" is enabled as described here: If you can’t

change the time or time zone on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

If you use a VPN or have other security software installed on

the iPhone the setup is being completed from, it might interfere with the

pairing process. Try disabling any such apps or temporarily removing them.

Check the iPhone Settings > General > iPhone Storage for

an Apple Watch software update. If one is found here, swipe left to delete it.

Try deleting and re-installing the Apple Watch app on the

iPhone.

Temporarily disconnect any paired Bluetooth devices setup on the

iPhone, you don't need to unpair them, just make sure they aren't connected.

Finally, if there's still no change, reset Network Settings on

the iPhone, by tapping Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network

Settings. This step will reset saved Wi-Fi networks and their passwords, as

well as customized VPN or APN settings. So be sure you have any network

passwords or personalized settings you need first.

We hope these steps help!

I believe I did experience this issue on my own Apple Watch. Can you add some photos of what your referring too at all on the watch, so I can compare with the records I took of mine.

Is this a brand new watch? Has the family member had another Apple Watch synced to their iPhone before? Or your iPhone?

-check your iPhone has the latest iOS 14.1 update

-check the wOS and take note, then look for any wOS update.

-power off both iPhone/watch devices and turn on.

-try again, if doesn’t work, hard reset your iPhone.

The issue I had with my watch seemed to revolve around them not updating and having recently factory reset my iPhone multiple times and prior to that also switched my main iPhone back and forward with factory resets multiple times for both phones.

I’ve currently got iOS 14.0.1 and 7.0.2.

Hi there adar210,

It sounds like you're trying to setup an Apple Watch for a family member, but aren't able to complete the process, is that right?

Does the person who will be using the Apple Watch already have their own Apple ID, and are they included in a Family Sharing group? Is the setup being completed completed by the organizer or parent/guardian?

Additionally, let us know whether you have tried restarting the Apple Watch and going through the steps again?

You can find additional guidance that may help, here: Set up an Apple Watch for a family member

We'll look forward to hearing back from you!