Unable to complete WatchOS 10.3 update (stuck at "Preparing")

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Unable to complete WatchOS 10.3 update (stuck at "Preparing")

I have an Apple Watch version 7 and an iPhone 12 Pro. I updated the phone to iOS 17.3 and then tried to update the Watch to WatchOS 10.3, with wi-fi enabled and the Watch on its charger only a couple of feet away from the iPhone. The update seemed to go smoothly at first, but it then hung up during the "Preparing" stage, and remained that way for over an hour and a half. I finally had to remove the Watch from its charger so I could run a few errands, and then tried the update again later in the afternoon, with the same results.

Has anyone else had this problem? And does anyone have a possible solution or workaround? The Watch continues to work just fine, but I've never had a problem with updates before and I'd really like to get this resolved. Thanks for any help you can offer!

Apple Watch Series 7, watchOS 10

Posted on Jan 24, 2024 4:59 PM

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Answer 1

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photonwhiz Author

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Jan 25, 2024 1:00 PM in response to Ingo2711

The hard reset on both the Watch and the iPhone did the trick! After I did this, I put the Watch back on its charger with wi-fi turned on, launched the Watch app on the iPhone, and the update picked up where it had previously been stuck and proceeded to complete the preparation, verification, and installation smoothly in less than half an hour. If I ever run into this problem again, I'll try the hard reset before I wait hours for the problem to fix itself! Thanks to all who offered suggestions (both here and on other threads)!

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Answer 2

Feb 8, 2024 8:01 PM in response to photonwhiz

Hi! I had exactly the same issue. I turned off my watch and turned it back on. I did the update directly from the watch, not with my iPhone. You go to Settings/General/Software Update. It took 10-15 minutes to complete the update. I hope this will be useful to you or others. Good luck!

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Answer 3

Ingo2711

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72,957 points

Jan 24, 2024 10:34 PM in response to photonwhiz

Did you try to update your Apple Watch without the iPhone?

Have a look at the steps mentioned in the second part of this article:

Update your Apple Watch - Apple Support

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Answer 4

Ingo2711

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72,957 points

Jan 25, 2024 12:39 PM in response to photonwhiz

Good Luck 🙂

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Answer 5

sandyh26

Level 1

8 points

Feb 14, 2024 11:52 AM in response to photonwhiz

I agree! Hard reset on both did the job. Fresh reboot on both before updates fastest way!!

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Answer 6

photonwhiz Author

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4 points

Jan 25, 2024 12:13 PM in response to Ingo2711

Thanks for the suggestion! I did try this, but to no avail. It stayed stuck on "Preparing" for another hour and a half before I gave up. I just tried doing a hard reset on both my watch and the iPhone as someone else suggested, and I'll give that a try now.

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Answer 7

photonwhiz Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 14, 2024 2:06 PM in response to sandyh26

Yes! The hard reset on the Watch and the iPhone did the trick, and thanks to everyone who suggested that! (I should have replied sooner, as I did this several days ago, but you know how it goes when you get busy ...) In any event, thanks again to all. I just wish Apple would fix this so the updates don't keep getting stuck! That didn't happen until the last couple of updates.

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