8.7.1 gives my wife a pop up unable to verify update after downloading on her iPhone Xr that is currently up to date.
watch was factory reset to see if that would make it work but no luck.
tried the turn off cellular data trick floating around online, also did not help.
no issues with internet connection
Hello. I also have this issue, unfortunately due to the series 3’s tiny storage the update and internal os take up almost all the storage, which causes the issue even if factory reset. The only potential solution is to either get help from an apple store and let them attempt pairing, or get a newer model like the SE (watch) which doesn’t have this issue. This is coming from someone who also cannot update my S3 which i bought refurbished as it was cheaper than the SE. Hope this helps!
If nothing on that page helped you, one thing it doesn’t mention is to reboot your wifi. You might also want to Restart your iPhone or reset network settings on iPhone which will restart it while also fixing any network issues: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Reset > Reset Network Settings. You will need to rejoin your wifi network.
Update 1: took to the Apple Store and they believe it is a “software issue” they took it and said they’d work on it over the next week or two and fox for free.
If it turns out to be a hardware issue they would charge us ~$180 to fix. (If anything we’d just buy a new SE this price is insane to fix a watch they don’t support anymore)
Same problem for me, iPhone SE 3 gen running iOS 16.0.3 can't update my apple watch 3 to watchOS 8.7.1 due to "Unable to verify update" and after I click open app it stucks in preparing phase
Nothing from this page helped me If you see 'Unable to Verify Update' when updating Apple Watch - Apple Support (CA)
I have the same issue Apple Watch 3, three different phones, unable to pair as it wants to update then update fails with unable to verify message then in 'preparing' stage forever on retry. None of the suggestions works, Watch is reset and unpaired.
The watch worked fine before, the latest update bricked it so I fully expect Apple to come up with a fix, there is no way they are allowed to make people's Apple Watch 3 unusable and force them to upgrade...
I took mine into Apple, couldn’t fix it unless I paid for the hardware part to changed being £210, wouldn’t update, wouldn’t re-pair to my iPhone 12, ended up buying another one! Seems to me it’s an intended issue created…
Having the same issue. My wife’s watch has been completely reset and is now stuck in restore mode indefinitely. The Apple Support page is useless. Very frustrating
Seems like class action should be coming.
I don't understand how they can tell you there is an issue with the hardware when it's clearly a software issue. It's deceiving behaviour by the Apple Store staff. I would ask for a full refund.
Apple Watch Series 3 unable to verify update 8.7.1
