Hi,
Apple Watch 3 did an auto update but it failed, now trying to fix it, tried everything, even reset the watch and now unable to pair as it wants to update otherwise I can't pair it, the update fails with unable to verify message first then if I retry it's stuck in 'preparing' stage forever (waited for more than a day once) Tried to pair it to 3 different phones, all the same. Anything I can try?
Thanks
I noticed something weird with my watch:
before trying to update watch I updated iPhone to iOS 15.7 and after that my watch being on charger started to randomly reboot itself every 5-20 minutes but once I cut the connection with iPhone - it remains to stay on charging normally. When I connect iPhone back - watch starts random reboots again. Also when it's not on charging - it doesn't do reboots. Same thing was happening during update. I did it as Apple recommends - leaving watch on charger, but in that case it was constantly rebooting during transferring file causing interruptions and resumes. Once I figured it out - I no more doing update on charger.
Here is the tip for all of you: the fastest and safest way to update is to make it with watch itself fully charged (to 100%), connected to WiFi and not on a charger (maybe better even to disconnect from iPhone, but not unpair). For me it took 5-6 min to download update on a watch directly from internet. To do so you need the watch to be on watchOS 6+, paired (set up), connected to WiFi. But if you did reset your watch then before starting pairing make sure your iPhone connected to 2.4 GHz WiFi (watch don't support 5 GHz) then it will pass WiFi settings to watch and it will do download directly from internet as well (or maybe transfer by WiFi local network). Previously I did it using iPhone on 5GHz WiFi and it took me 2-3 hours because it was transferring 1.3 GB update file from iPhone to watch using Bluetooth.
Trying again right now! Glad to have found this thread. I have been getting the "failed to verify" message nonstop, I did get the new software update but it didn't work after that, hoping that it might now.
When the watchOS is downloading to the watch, does the Apple Watch screen show the circle loading? For me I still see the "42 mm Aluminum cable, designed by Apple in California" screen with the Apple while it is downloading to the watch and I am concerned that this means it is not downloading, it's strange!
Update: It says "preparing" now it has not gotten this far before which is promising, might be working! The watch is still showing the "42 mm aluminum case" screen and doesn't show anything loading but maybe it will show it soon. Will share more updates.
Sour__apple wrote:
Finally it worked for me. iOS 15.6.1 same as last few days. So I guess it was not iOS. They must’ve fixed watchOS update.
interesting. Did it not tell you that you must first update the iPhone though? Usually it does.
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I am still not able to update. My watch is useless. I have been on a chat with apple support and I am being told I would need to send it in for repair and pay for the repair. It is STILL a software issue but they want me to pay to have it repaired. I AM FURIOUS!!!!
I updated my iPhone to iOS 16.1, but I still stuck on prepare loop. Watch is constantly rebooting itself, being 100% charged and on charger, next to iPhone connected to WiFi. Watch is showing circle image with apple in center, then it turns off, then apple logo on black screen a bit dimmed, then it brights screen to max, then dims again, and then circle image again. Never ends. Unfortunately not like my nerves.
Spent a couple days burning cycles with continual resets, unpairings, repairings, reboots, etc. etc. etc. to no avail. Basically m wife's Apple Watch 3 has been bricked by this update. watchOS 8.7.1 is Apple designed malware to destroy old watches. Pathetic QA practice.
finally after a month, just now was able to update my watch successfully . (series 3 cellular - 16GB)
had issues like "stuck at preparing" and "unable to verify update due to connectivity " etc,
after trying different way for couple weeks, i just gave up on this.
and today tried one more time to check my luck and it updated without any issues.
same for me too, i think the customer sevirce of Apple are so bad. Maybe they think they have too many loyal customer for take care of them. So disapointed, i will not buy apple things anymore though i was a fan. This mistake not terrible like this if they make a notification or a guide for customer about this
I tried.Waste od time.
what is happening with apple?Is it possible that apple dont care for their user like some cheap chinese company.
apple give us official statment that apple watch 3 is for garbage
Okay. Guys now the Watch 3 is legit obsolete, they wanted to trash this series by giving consumers an update. My uncle who worked in Apple visited us and he told that it was true. Moreover, he insisted me to display this watch in my showcase, did as he said.
There’s nothing we can do rn
we must do something productive than updating this again and again.
After reading this thread and struggling with my watch for over a month I am convinced Apple no longer wishes me to buy their watch ever again. I ABSOLUTELY WILL be going with another smart watch brand. This is 1000% manipulation of the consumer. Not even owned for a year and I could have gotten something more reliable for a lot less. Ridiculous.
Exactly man, yeah and when you let the Support staff know, it seems that they are saying a fix is in the works, or just tell you to do this/that you know... I think they have to release an update themselves to fix this or the Series 3 and below are on their way towards phasing out... maybe???
We should still be able to use our watches and not be forced to update you know and just let them accumulate a million "updates available".
Fitting the loop of 8.7.1 update while pairing with my daughters phone.
The result is always the same. In best case I do get to download the image to the watch but when getting ready the installation the watch restarts itself and the whole process is restarted again :(
Apple Watch Series 3 update 8.7.1 bricked my watch
