Apple Watch Stuck in "Preparing" during watchOS 9.6 update

i’m Having the same problem with watchOS 10.4 I already tried to delete the file and download it again like 3 times and it keeps getting stuck on the exact same spot on the status bar of “preparing” any help? Thank you 🥺

My apple watch series 9 is not updating to watchos 10.4. Battery is draining very fast and to avoid this i tried to update to 10.4. But it’s very annoying since i tried several ways by unpairing - repairing etc. But failed to update. Cannot use watch since battery is draining within 3 hours

Where is this option to delete this update because I don't see it on my phone. I'm also stuck on 10.4 watch update.

The only option suggest is download and install but it is at the point that it gets stuck on preparing.

Battery issue and installation of update seem to be interrelated hence reposting this response I shared on battery issue- So I had the same issue since the last 5 days. Turns out it was an update pending. The problem was that the update was not installing and was stuck at preparing which was probably what was draining the battery. I tried everything from restarts to deleting update file from storage and re installing it, but it was still stuck on preparing. Finally I left the watch on charge for 2 days and wore it sparingly. I also unselected the auto update option so the watch being connected to Wi-Fi and charger ended up completing the ‘preparing update’ mode. Post this it showed install update mode. So now my watch battery is back to normal and running the usual 18-24 hours of my usual wear time. So again let it move from preparing to install now mode and that should fix the problem hopefully.

Will update you all on battery life after the 10.4 update is installed and running on my watch. Hope this helps!

First, for those whose watches are drained of power after a couple of hours (with no haptic warning), try this: TURN OFF AUTOMATIC UPDATE FOR OS! Then delete update data as above. "Download and Install" will still appear. IGNORE IT!

(iPhone watch app: General\Software update\Automatic updates -on/off slider)

I charged my watch about 6pm yesterday, still at 25% noon today despite haptics for Stand Reminder.

Otherwise, I tried all suggestions above. Nothing worked. Details for possible benefit of others here.

1. Deleting update data -nothing; attempt to update WatchUltra to 10.4 cycled back to 'prepare.'

2. Shutting down & restarting watch and phone seemed hopeful. Time bar said 20 minutes... then in 45 minutes ten, (backtracked several times) ... finally 3, 2,1 minutes, then seconds... 3,2,1, 0. Oh boy! at last.

Nope. Bounced back to "preparing" again, about 3/5 of bar filled as many times before-- stuck there.

3. Apple support -- tried all phrasing, nothing relevant appeared ("Apple Watch update stuck

on 'preparing' got "Apple Watch shuts down and won't restart"

4. transcript of my 'chat' with Apple Support as per Apple's instruction here. Enjoy.(my responses slightly truncated.)

Thanks for contacting Apple Support. My name is (xxxx). Please give me a

moment to look over your information. (...typing, usual 20-30 second wait)

"Hello. (...typing)

"I hope your day is going great so far! (...typing)

"How can I help you today? (... typing) (Me: "How about you look over my information?")

"I see, thank you for bringing our attention to this one. (...typing)

"We want to make sure that your concern is being taken care of. I'd be more

than happy to help you out and check further! (typing.... Long wait.)

(me: "Apple says you have my information. Please look at it")

"I totally understand. We could now jump on to performing steps that could help us sort this out. (...typing)

"Depending on the outcome, we may consider escalating your case further. Sounds like a plan?

(me...  "No, sounds like no plan. I'm signing off. Goodbye.)

(much later)

"It seems that we were disconnected."

"I have notice that this issue also occur to my parents. it seems that it is an on going issue. However, we are able to solve the issue.

"We could also try some troubleshooting steps that most of my family tried."

(The End.)

I figure that, at our modest hourly rates, I could buy a new watch or phone with the time I've spent over Apple's inability to properly configure an update (which is obvious from the number and dates of entries here--).

I was having this problem for about a week... Last night I forced a restart on both devices and when both were back on I opened my watch app and went to the update again and went to sleep. This morning I saw that it was asking me to agree to the terms of service and the update started. Maybe just luck but it finally worked. Good luck!

Yes, I followed the instructions offered by “Ferd II”. The sequential combination of deleting the update file from within the Watch app and then powercycling my iPhone and watch worked for me. Then, the update continued as expected and completed within 5 mins. The customary elapsed timer (e.g., “3 minutes remaining”) presented as well; I had

not noticed that it did not present when it was stalling before.

my one says "2days"😑

it need 2 days to update??? also I can't go to any other options of this app.only this 2 page is available.

Apple needs to fix this asap.😤

Do you see a file called “watchOS 10.3.1” under Storage? How much free space do you have?

Thank you so much. Worked for me

You are welcome.

Not sure if this is too late but, I found the update is under "watch-general-storage", not under your iPhone's storage.

Thank you! It worked!!!

I unpaired and re-paired my Watch and the update worked after that.