My Apple Watch i3 is stuck on preparing
My watch i3 is stuck on preparing… I’ve tried to update three times. Help
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
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My watch i3 is stuck on preparing… I’ve tried to update three times. Help
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Hello siir81,
Since it is preparing but not completing the update you may want to make sure everything is in place for the update to go through. I see your Apple Watch version is eligible. Your iPhone must be "an iPhone 6s or later running iOS 14 or later."
Update your Apple Watch - Apple Support
If your iPhone is eligible this is what the Apple Support article recommends next:
"Next, check these things:
It could take from several minutes to an hour for the update to complete. You might want to update overnight or wait until you have time. "
If it still will not update after you have confirmed the above items these would be the next recommended steps:
"If you need help updating
Try these steps:
If the update won't start, open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap General > Usage > Software Update, then delete the update file. After you delete the file, try to download and install watchOS again.
Learn what to do if you see 'Cannot Install Update' when updating Apple Watch."
The final link from above “If you see ‘Cannot Instal…" recommends this specifically for Apple Watch Series 3:
"Unpair and update your Apple Watch
Next, set up your Apple Watch with your iPhone. When asked whether you want to set up as new or restore from a backup, choose to set up as new. Then follow the onscreen instructions to finish setup. If you want to update to the watchOS beta, reinstall the beta profile after setup is complete.
Finally, update your Apple Watch."
I hope this is helpful.
Hello siir81,
Since it is preparing but not completing the update you may want to make sure everything is in place for the update to go through. I see your Apple Watch version is eligible. Your iPhone must be "an iPhone 6s or later running iOS 14 or later."
Update your Apple Watch - Apple Support
If your iPhone is eligible this is what the Apple Support article recommends next:
"Next, check these things:
It could take from several minutes to an hour for the update to complete. You might want to update overnight or wait until you have time. "
If it still will not update after you have confirmed the above items these would be the next recommended steps:
"If you need help updating
Try these steps:
If the update won't start, open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap General > Usage > Software Update, then delete the update file. After you delete the file, try to download and install watchOS again.
Learn what to do if you see 'Cannot Install Update' when updating Apple Watch."
The final link from above “If you see ‘Cannot Instal…" recommends this specifically for Apple Watch Series 3:
"Unpair and update your Apple Watch
Next, set up your Apple Watch with your iPhone. When asked whether you want to set up as new or restore from a backup, choose to set up as new. Then follow the onscreen instructions to finish setup. If you want to update to the watchOS beta, reinstall the beta profile after setup is complete.
Finally, update your Apple Watch."
I hope this is helpful.
Hello lundberr,
That seems a but more serious than what I think user siir81 was describing, but I may be incorrect on that.
I would reach out to Apple Support directly about this. It Generally it is very much not recommended to Hard Reset the iPhone or Apple Watch during an update but it seems to me that may be your only option.
Before trying that please make sure to tack or chat with Apple Support. They may be able to open your Watch App to allow you to run diagnostics and , hopefully, isolate the cause.
This is the main Apple Watch service and repair page. It will be easier to open a support ticket from here. watch Repair - Official Apple Support
Good luck!
Hmm. Are you initiating the update from the watch itself or from the Watch App on the iPhone?
I believe installing the update using the paired iPhone has more chance of success. Additionally you can "open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap General > Usage > Software Update, then delete the update file. After you delete the file, try to download and install watchOS again."
If you haven’t already make sure you restart both the Apple Watch and iPhone plus ensure you have enabled Bluetooth and have connected to the same Wi-Fi network on both.
If you have tried all of the different troubleshooting and resolution steps from my first reply, I believe you would next want to contact Apple Support directly. They can have you run diagnostics on the watch using your iPhone and may be able to detect the issue using the diagnostics information. This diagnostics can only be preformed if you have an active Apple Support case open.
I'm having the same issue. Unfortunately, I can't get even open the watch app on my iPhone to tap General > Usage > Software Update, to delete the update file. As soon as you open the watch app it goes instantly to the update and if you cancel you get the message that the Apple watch will unpair and reset to factory settings. I've reset to factory settings about 10x now.
The watch will not pair nor will it update.
Hi. I have the XS Max and it’s up to date. This is the third time trying it.
My Apple Watch i3 is stuck on preparing