Download of apple watch 10.4 STOPPED during Preparing and won't advance. It is STUCK. What can I do? Can I cancel and start over?
iPhone has latest software. Watch is a Series 10XR
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Apple Watch Series 5
To Everyone who is having trouble with the download of Watch OS 10.4:
Apple Support states:
"Updating to watchOS 10 requires iPhone XS or later with iOS 17."
This is WRONG.
You can use several iPhone series to download Watch OS 10.4, not just iPhone Series XS.
I did it with iPhone Series XR. Others did it with Series 8 and other series.
Just RESTART (Turn OFF and then ON) your iPhone and Apple Watch.
Then use your iPhone to start the download, then put your watch on its charger.
It takes a LONG time and will APPEAR to get stuck on "Preparing the download"
Just leave it alone and let it finish the "Preparing".
Leave the room where the watch is being updated. Do NOT watch it.
It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
During this time the sliding horizontal bar on the iPhone does NOT MOVE.
Come back after 2 hours and it will be updated. If the watch face is dark, just touch it.
Hope this helps everyone with this problem.
Tom
Apple is ignoring us about this problem.
Please report this problem to Apple until they fix it.
Send problem details to >>> apple.com/feedback
Thanks for your reply. I have read that Apple Support info so many times I memorized it.
The only thing that may be causing the problem is that they say that the update requires an iPhone XS or newer. I have an iPhone XR and have used it successfully to download Watch OS 10.1, 10.2, 10.3.1.
Why all of a sudden do I need to have an iPhone XS series?
I have exactly the problem Tomac14 described. I've deleted the downloaded 10.4 and restarted watch and iPhone.
New download took 1:20 hours, sitting on preparing for about 50 minutes with no noteable progress.
Congratulations , you got yours updated. I did NOT.
What Series iPhone were you using to download the update to the Watch?
I was using an iPhone Series XR.
If you were using an iPhone XR, I will try again.
Thanks in advance for replying.
Tom
Having the same problem described above except my phone is an Apple 13 ProMax. Stops during "preparing" about 60% Have updated before with NO problem. How do I complete the download to install IOS 10.4 on my Apple watch? Please advise
I have an iPhone 14Pro and an Apple Watch series 8. I have spent a lot of time on trying to fix the "preparing" issue w/o success. I think it is time for an update to fix this issue. I know I'm not alone with my frustration. Hope someone can help!
Same problem for me. It doesn’t help that the initial download is taking an extreme amount of time. It doesn’t take two hours to download 758mb on my Internet.
No amount of restarting either the watch or my iPhone has kicked it into doing anything any faster.
I have tried starting the update from my iPhone and directly from the watch, neither is any faster.
Leaving the watch for two or more hours isn’t a helpful suggestion as this interferes with actually using the watch and when people have rings to fill and streaks to maintain.
I'm having the same issue, I even wiped off everything from the watch. It will download, and then prepare and then it goes back where I click on Install and then it comes back and tells me the phone is not connected to internet, when both phone and watch are on the same wifi. Please need some support and help here.
To robtanner1:
Glad to hear you got the watch to update.
This is an Apple problem, in the iPhone software.
Go to >> apple.com/feedback and tell them about this problem.
They have done NOTHING to admit to the problem or to fix it.
I’m having the same problem. Series 9 watch and IPhone 15 Pro Max (on 17.4). Watch update keeps getting stuck in preparing. I’ve tried deleting the download and restarting the download/install but it hasn’t worked. I’ve waited overnight with both devices on a Belkin 3-in-1 charger. Disappointed Apple hasn’t addressed this yet.
Follow these steps. I've tried many others over the past week and have just seen a "lack-of-progress" bar and no joy. I followed *these* most excellent steps and I have joy, and 10.4 on my watch. Many thanks to the Bionic Golfer!
Software 10.4 in my Apple Watch series 9 could not be down loaded. While downloading it sticks in the middle. Several times I have deleted and started afresh. The same problem occurred. Please advise.
If you have tried all the suggestions in this problem report list, then you might want to wait for Apple to release iOS 17.4.1 which is expected soon, possibly this week.
Since Apple rarely admits to a problem, you might still try the new iOS 17.4.1 and see if it fixes the problem, which we all know is Real.
This did not work for me... my apple series 8 watch is not responding properly. Also i noticed that workout app is not working the same as pervious versions.... there is no milliseconds and also feel it is bit slower than normal. when will apple provide fix for this issue?
Exactly the same problem here - and none of the fixes suggested in the replies so far work. I have tried deleting the update (via Watch App -> General -> Storage) and starting again, but the same thing happens the next time. I have tried leaving it for more than a couple of hours - left it overnight! - still stuck on Preparing in the morning.
Any other suggestions gratefully received!
Thanks
My download of Apple watchOS 10.4 STOPPED during "preparing" and won't advance.
