Apple Watch on iPhone is stuck on "preparing the update"

Same problem, but I was offered the opportunity to cancel on my Ultra 2 watch face. I cancelled the update and will be waiting quite a while before attempting again. So tired of buggy Apple releases and updates.

You should NEVER use a VPN when doing an update/upgrade to an Apple OS!

The software for each device, especially the Watch, is region/country-specific and the VPN makes it so the servers can't determine which OS to offer.

thanks for answering, it didn't seem to make a difference, tho.

The update can only be installed when the watch is on its charging puck.

M1 Mac mini, macOS 14.1.2;  Watch, series 7 GPS/cellular, watchOS 10.1.1; iPad Pro 2nd Gen, iPadOS 17.1.2; iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 17.1.2; TV 4th Gen, tvOS 17; HomePods, audioOS 17.1.1 and Airport Express w/ Airplay 2

That makes perfect sense!

watchOS versions are regionally specific. Certain watch features that are legally classed as medical functions are only in an update for countries where government agencies allow them.

A VPN would confuse Apple servers as to where you are and which update to allow you to download.

An example would be the ECG function. Some folks have reported buying a watch in the US where the ECG function is allowed. Later they took the watch to a country that had not authorized the ECG function and the first time that they updated their watch in that country the ECG app was removed!

Apple watch Series 7 is my first apple watch purchased 2 days back but trying pair with my iphone 11 and update ios 10.2 its not working getting stuck on "preparing ".Any suggestions to fix this issue?

Not sure if it's relevant, but mine (Apple Watch Ultra 2) was stuck in this mode for a couple of weeks trying to update 10.3. The watch functioned fine. Today I decided to try to update to 10.3.1; however, it was still stuck in "preparing the update" from 10.3. I did a hard reset of the watch while it was on the puck charger. Before logging into the watch, I used my iPhone (iPhone 15 Pro Max) and tried to push the watch update. It notified me that I needed to unlock the watch first. While still on the charger I unlocked my watch. Immediately the update resumed, but for 10.3.1. The download and preparation completed and it then prompted me to do an install. The install completed as normal and my watch is now updated to 10.3.1.

I’m literally having the same exact issue on my 15 pro max and Apple Watch Ultra 1st gen. It’s stuck on preparing update and so I had turned off my hotspot I was using from my iPad and it didn’t even fix that issue either just to use LTE to update :(

Done a hard reboot on both devices, connected back to my iPads hotspot since that’s usually how I download all of my watchOS updates without having any issues. For some reason I don’t know why watchOS 10.4 is being stuck on prepare update after deleting the software update through the Apple Watch settings page on the app and downloading the whole update again.

If the iPhone is up-to-date with iOS 17.2, then try a different wifi network; office, library, coffeeshop.

Also a hard reset for them both.

still no luck.

I wanted to avoid that but I guess that’s the way to go. Thanks.

Thank you. This worked!!

My series 7 watch is facing the issue of downloading the 10.2 os download ,I plugged in the charger and full signal of Internet, but it is not working

I just switched to Cellular Data and it worked :)