Apple Watch App Store "Double Click to Install' not working.

I was able to download apps from the App Store when I paired my watch at first. However, I eventually ran into exactly the same problem as the author, but I figured out a way to make it work again!

TLDR: Retry it after making sure you have Apple Wallet app installed on your Apple Watch.

(I found that re-pairing the watch also works because it forces the watch to come with Apple Wallet preinstalled after reset. But re-pairing is unnecessary if all you need to do is to re-download the Apple Wallet app.)

My issue was that I deleted the Apple Wallet app when I was getting rid of some apps that I don't use from the grid view. I downloaded the Apple Wallet app from the app store again (which does not require you to double click the side button since it is an app you've already had before, hence the cloud icon with an arrow instead of the "GET" button), and I attempted to get the app I wanted. Double click responded; It worked!

My guess is that the App Store knew it needed to go through Apple Pay to mark it as "purchased" (even if it is free), but it couldn't find the Apple Wallet app to do that, so it just didn't react properly. This behavior is confusing. I think apple should've made it so that it shows the user a clear error message saying the Apple Wallet app is missing instead of making it look like the double click is just unresponsive.

Also note:

• You need a passcode set up for the watch. (You can turn it off later and turn it back on whenever as you need to.)
• Check if you are double clicking the side button with the right speed. (You can get a feel for the rhythm and even adjust the speed by navigating to "Accessibility" > "Side Button Click Speed" (under "MOTOR").)
• If you have "Confirm with AssistiveTouch" set to on, turn it off

(in "Accessibility" > "AssistiveTouch" (under "MOTOR")).

• You need to be connected to the internet. (Try using Siri or something to make sure it indeed is connected.)
• You need to be signed into your Apple account. (Maybe go to "Settings" > [your name] > click around buttons within it to see if you can force it to make you log in or something. Maybe also remove App Store from the App Switcher to relaunch it too.)
• If it still doesn't work, try again after turning off and on the watch for a good measure.

If all of that didn't solve the issue, I don't know what other non-hardware fix you can do to fix it other than resetting and re-pairing the watch.

This (sadly) is the work-around until Apple fixes this (notice they haven't responded to this thread at-all):

"Finally had to end up erasing BOTH devices, setting the iPhone up as a NEW phone from scratch (instead of restoring it), and

... once the phone was setup, paired the Watch (also as new device) and now they’re in sync/ no double click being asked for to install apps on Watch. "

Had this problem in the U.S. yesterday with a new iPhone 14 Pro trying to pair with an Apple Watch Ultra that was previously linked with an older iPhone 12 Pro Max. What I noticed was that the App Store on the Watch was showing different apps in my PURCHASED area than what was really on my account on the iPhone. I think this was due to a sync issue and using an older backup to restore the new iPhone 14. Finally had to end up erasing BOTH devices, setting the iPhone up as a NEW phone from scratch (instead of restoring it), and once the phone was setup, paired the Watch and now they’re in sync/ no double click being asked for to install apps on Watch.

Hope this helps someone.

Thunderchance wrote:

This (sadly) is the work-around until Apple fixes this (notice they haven't responded to this thread at-all):

"Finally had to end up erasing BOTH devices, setting the iPhone up as a NEW phone from scratch (instead of restoring it), and

... once the phone was setup, paired the Watch (also as new device) and now they’re in sync/ no double click being asked for to install apps on Watch. "

This is a user to user only forum. Apple does not participate here and they never respond to any of the posts made by users here. So it is not telling at all that Apple hasn't responded, because they don't and never have.

And to suggest Apple has something to fix isn't quite correct either. The vast majority of people (me included) are not having any issues with "double click" to install. If this was super widespread, this forum would be littered with posts from people with an issue. But it's not at all. Think about how many millions upon millions of Apple Watches are in use right now. This thread would statistically insignificant in relation to the total number of owners wearing Apple Watch without this issue.

Check iPhone Settings, [your name], Payments & Shipping. If your card is still valid and in date go through this diagnostic thread

Apple Watch basic diagnostics - Apple Community

Even free apps require a valid payment card or a sufficient app store credit balance. This has always been the case for as long as I remember.

Even free apps require a valid payment card or a sufficient app store credit balance.

unfollowing

You seem to be running two threads with the same subject and you answered my question in the other thread.

I suspect it is an India-only problem or they just wanted to move you on.

Call Apple Support India

You should be able to reach them here  Click here > Contact - Official Apple Support  or phone numbers  Click here > Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support   

I am having the same issue (Canada) got a new iPhone 14 pro max with current Apple Watch ultra. Apps won’t install from phone. Asking me on watch to double click to install then nothing happens.

I’ve had my iPhone since the 1st version. No way I’m setting up as a new phone.

I’ve also done all the troubleshooting (restore etc etc) nothing.

I can install from the App Store on the watch but it’s a pain

Move as much as you can onto cloud services as a matter of course.

If the wipe fixes the problem you have the choice to rebuild, or restore the backup which ironically may fix the problem.

They clearly said “all apps.” Having same issue. Watch asks to “double click” to install an app, yet app doesn’t install. Also, why is it asking for double click anyway? Auto install is selected for App Store.

I'm not sure what device you're having an issue with? This thread is about Apple Watch, not iPhone. If you think something needs to be elevated to Apple, you can use this link --> Product Feedback - Apple

That said, no one I know personally (and I know a lot of people with Apple Watch and two myself) has any issues with using the double tap of the power button (NOT the digital crown) to download anything.