Apple Watch Series 3 Stuck on "Preparing" iOS 8.7.1

Hi, so Apple has fixed both my series 3. No charge. I suggest you all goto a store if possible.

Yea, send it in. Let Apple deal with it.

Send it to directly to Apple if possible.

Either send it to Apple or visit your Apple Store Genius Bar for assistance.

Hi again. So my watch is now at the Apple Store. They thought it install using old phone with old iOS but after many hours it didn’t work. They are sending it away to the ‘depot’ to attempt to fix. I agreed since it is free and I have no other option. Could take a few days. I’ll post back later with results.

So they sent away my watch, I remember my inlaw also had a series 3 but never used it, I got my hands on it and it also would not update, this time it said it could not connect to the internet. I took it to the apple store and they sent that one away too. They said if its a s/w issue they fix for free, if its h/w they charge, they will consult with me prior to and chargeable work. Should have answer in day or two.

Yes, I’m sure it worked on my watch. in other conversations it was a solution to change region and language and wait 72 hours after the battery 🪫 is empty. I tried both may be it is a part of solution. But the only thing which helped was update to 16.1 and try again

That’s what they told me as well but it’s very unlikely that they will find a hardware issue. They will simply force install the latest WatchOS and send it back to you. My watch has worked well since getting it back from Apple.

i have to try only one last solution - if anyone tried this already please tell me before westing to much time

someone told me to update the iPhone os to Beta 16.2 and watch OS 8.7.1 update will complete and we can connect with it

finger crossed

I’m also having this issue, I was hoping to set up my spare series 3 as a dedicated fitness tracker and immediately ran into issues trying to update on my iPhone 12 Pro Max at 15.7. I was able to use an older iPhone and get the watch to update to 6 and it paired and synced and all was right but it refused to update on the watch itself and only returned an error. My older iPhone said the version 8 update was available but the phone had to be updated in order to install the update (BS in my opinion) so I reluctantly updated the phone and proceeded with the update to the watch. After getting stuck on Preparing I rebooted the synced watch and it then reported that there was insufficient storage space and to unpair the watch and proceed with a fresh update and pairing. I once again reluctantly proceeded and my phone has been on Preparing for almost 24 hours and the watch continues to reboot every 30-60 seconds. As the watch boots up I can see the iPhone watch update switch from Preparing to Estimated time remaining for a split second then it sits at preparing then the watch once again reboots. I am very disappointed in Apple with the way series 3 owners are being treated in this instance, if Apple provides an update and claims compatibility then we should be able to still have functionality on this product we spent good money on instead of throwing the baby out with the bath water which I get the impression they want us to do. I can understand they announced they will no longer sell or support the series 3 which I am completely in agreement with but leaving us out in the cold with a paperweight when their software shows an update to continue functionality is unacceptable. As an Apple stock holder I am very upset with the lack of response on Apples part and they have an obligation to allow some form of functionality on this product as they move it into EoL. I am currently trying the iPhone update to 16.1 in hopes it fixes the issue but expect a 50/50 chance that I will eventually have to go to an Apple store and fight it out with them which I’ve done on more that one occasion in the past and refuse to throw a perfectly good working product in the recycle bin because Apple decided it was time. Will update if my update woes are resolved.

My series three is still stuck on preparing even after installing iOS 16.1.

Got my watch back today. Apple installed the 8.7.1 update onto my series 3 and it works well now.

try to connect with 14. os on your phone - that will work

you can skip update and use a watch

but after 15+ os update not completing

Yes i forgot to update. I managed to update the watch s3 right after ios 16.3 was released. Give it a try

Hi, I'm also having issues installing 8.7.1 on my apple watch series 3. The watch is now totally useless.

I have iPhone 13 pro. Right now i'm installing iOS 16.1 but as someone above said it didn't help, I'll see in an hour.

Please Apple correct this.