WatchOS 8.4.2 won't install

Question

Level 1

4 points

WatchOS 8.4.2 won't install

I have been trying to update my apple watch 5 for a few days now and cannot get it to work. Maybe someone has a solution.

IS: Watch is fully charged on the charger, watch has 23GB of available space and is connected to WiFi.

Current watchos is 8.4 (19S546)

Phone is an Iphone 12 Pro running on iOS 15.3.1 with 156GB available space, also connected to Wifi.

Never have I had issues with an update but not matter what, I get the message that installation was paused and that it has to be on the charger and be charged at least 50%. Well it is fully charged and on the charger.

I restarted both watch and phone, refreshed the network it is connected to but nothing works.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Apple Watch Series 5

Posted on Feb 13, 2022 9:02 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

JTJTLT Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 13, 2022 10:08 PM in response to Ingo2711

Thanks Ingo, I have. Charging the iPhone at the same time is new to me, I never had to do that before and it does not show on any how-to's from apple. So I did not try it.

But I found the solution:

As a last ditch effort, I unpaired the watch and re-paired it. It was a bit of a pain since I had to redo all the apple pay along with authorizations on the Macbook for unlocking the screen with the watch but it is now working.

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Answer 2

Ingo2711

Level 9

73,281 points

Feb 13, 2022 10:16 PM in response to JTJTLT

Glad it's working after pairing the watch again.

I always charge the watch and iPhone while updating watchOS, to make sure that Wi-Fi will not be disconnected for any reason if the iPhone is going into standby.

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Answer 3

KanadB

Level 1

12 points

Feb 21, 2022 8:50 PM in response to JTJTLT

I was facing the same issue that Watch OS 8.4.2 was not installing and was showing the same error that connect the watch to charger and make sure it's 50% charged.

After multiple effort it didn't worked. I have restarted the watch and the installation of OS patch was smooth.

It seems there is a bug in the OS installer which was not tested properly before release.

SO, restart your watch before doing anything else to save time and effort.

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Answer 4

Mar 1, 2022 8:06 AM in response to kathleenfromboalsburg

Try to update from the watch itself.

Place the watch on the charger.

Make sure that your watch is connected to wifi.

On your watch, open the Settings app.

Tap General > Software Update.

Tap Install if a software update is available, then follow the onscreen instructions.

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Answer 5

Ingo2711

Level 9

73,281 points

Mar 1, 2022 8:04 AM in response to kathleenfromboalsburg

Did you try to unpair the watch, as explained in this article?

Unpair and erase your Apple Watch - Apple Support

After that, set it up again:

Set up your Apple Watch - Apple Support

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Answer 6

Ingo2711

Level 9

73,281 points

Feb 13, 2022 9:37 PM in response to JTJTLT

Did you check if the Watch App on the phone has already downloaded the watchOS update?

Your devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi, Bluetooth is enabled and both devices are being charged?

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Answer 7

Tjkim84

Level 1

8 points

Feb 18, 2022 11:42 AM in response to JTJTLT

same problem here.

I restarted iwatch and iphone. Now its installing. Try it first

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Answer 8

BKC2soon

Level 1

12 points

Feb 24, 2022 7:17 PM in response to JTJTLT

I've had my Apple Watch SE less than a month, and while my phone shows that it’s due to upgrade to 8.4.2, the upgrade never takes place. Do I need to return it to the store while I can?

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Answer 9

Mar 1, 2022 7:57 AM in response to KanadB

I'm having the same problem for several days. I'm age 85 and it's CRITICAL that I have the Emergency Fall restored. Have restarted the Watch, but didn't solve the installation issue. HELP, Apple!

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