Can't pair watch to a new iPhone: Pairing Failed

I got a new iPhone 13 Pro Max recently. Before I had iPhone 6s which was paired with my Apple Watch Series 2. When I migrated data from the old to the new, Apple Watch also migrated and somehow become attached to both iphones. But I used the watch only with the new one.


Then I noticed some problems when debugging watchOS apps (I'm also a developer). Workout sessions weren't always activated during debugging. So I decided to erase the watch. After that I can't pair them with the iPhone 13.


I'm constantly getting this error:

Pairing Failed
---
Your iPhone couldn't maintain a wireless connection. You may be connected to an unreliable network, or you may need to move closer to your WLAN router. Try reconnecting and start again.
---
Start Over

This error shows after "select wrist" step when "Connecting your Apple Watch. This may take a moment." screen appears.


Complete steps:

Set up for myself > Pair using camera > Set Up as New Apple Watch (also fails on this screen if you wait long enough) > Select Wrist and continue


I tried pairing them with my iPhone 6s again, and it always works. Also I tried removing that watch from FindMy and iCloud. May be not from every iCloud account, I have multiple apple ids.


I have very good and stable 4G connection on iPhone 13, it's my only source of Internet, I use Hotspot to transfer it to all devices, and I didn't try pairing over WiFi yet. When I try to pair with the 13, I disable the Hotspot, and this does't changes anything.


Tried rebooting both devices.


Also, "Start Pairing" button never work on the iPhone 13 Pro Max. I was able to initiate pairing only when I lock the screen and bring the phone to the watch. Sometimes pairing may be suggested randomly when the watch lie near the iPhone and I'm just browsing apps.


Also, on the iPhone 6s I had two watches in the list in Watch app, they just got different names. But it's the same watch! I just changed the name once. Now I deleted both entries from the list.






Apple Watch Series 2, watchOS 6

Posted on Oct 18, 2022 3:33 AM

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Posted on Nov 23, 2022 2:35 AM

Problem was mostly resolved after updating my iPhone 13 to iOS 16.1.1 (previously 15.7). I was able to pair watch after that without any problems. Although, I still have some issues while debugging apps on Xcode: run fails 2 out of 3 times and sometimes watch may restart without any reason.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 23, 2022 2:35 AM in response to SnickZ.

Problem was mostly resolved after updating my iPhone 13 to iOS 16.1.1 (previously 15.7). I was able to pair watch after that without any problems. Although, I still have some issues while debugging apps on Xcode: run fails 2 out of 3 times and sometimes watch may restart without any reason.

Nov 21, 2022 4:56 AM in response to jeffd55

Some updates.


I contacted Apple Support. They were as nice and polite as useless. In perfect English showing great patience they explained me everything I had already find in the Internet: how to reset the watch, restart devices etc. I spend 30 minutes of their time then accidentally cancelled the call and decided to not bother Support anymore.


I found used watch Series 3 on the market. The seller unpaired and erased them and we tried to attach them to my iPhone 13 Pro Max. I got the same error: "Your iPhone couldn't maintain a wireless connection." No I think that my iPhone, not the watch has an issue.


Can I diagnose it somehow? Is there any services in Lithuania? Maybe Apple provide remote diagnostics of their devices?

Oct 20, 2022 8:23 AM in response to kvaDrug

Hi kvaDrug,


You've done a lot of troubleshooting with your Apple Watch Series 2 and your iPhone 13 Pro Max so far!


Have you tried to restart both your watch and iPhone? It's a simple step, but can actually resolve unexpected issues. Always worth a try.

Restart your Apple Watch - Apple Support

How to restart your Apple Watch if you have watchOS 8 or earlier
1. If your Apple Watch is charging, take it off the charger.
2. Press and hold the side button until you see the Power Off slider.
3. Drag the Power Off slider.
4. After your watch turns off, press and hold the side button again until you see the Apple logo.

Restart your iPhone - Apple Support

How to restart your iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, or later
1. Press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears.
The volume button is located on the left side of the device, and the side button is located on the right

2. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. If your device is frozen or unresponsive, force restart your device.
3. To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button (on the right side of your iPhone) until you see the Apple logo.

Try and pair your Apple Watch again with your iPhone 13 Pro Max. If you're still unable to, we'd advise to contact Apple Support.

Apple Support

Take care!

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Can't pair watch to a new iPhone: Pairing Failed

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