WatchOS 26.0 update and activity will not work or connect

After completing the latest watch update to 26, my activity and fitness apps will not work. The only way to get them to work is completely resetting my watch. This happened with my old watch and to avoid resetting daily, I had to force restart to watch every night before bed. I finally upgraded to an Ultra to avoid this issue; I’ve had my Ultra for almost a year and no issues. Now I do this update two days ago and I’m back to the same issue. What is most frustrating is Apple’s ONLY response is “unpair and repair”. I don’t want to do that every single day. That is not a proper fix. Anyone have any real fixes?

Apple Watch Ultra, watchOS 26

Posted on Sep 20, 2025 6:09 AM

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Ingo2711

Level 10

80,025 points

Posted on Oct 11, 2025 11:13 AM

Did you set up the watch as a new device, without using the latest backup, in case the backup data is corrupt, causing this issue?

Unpair and erase your Apple Watch - Apple Support

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25 replies

LD150

Level 10

99,577 points

Oct 29, 2025 9:44 AM in response to BrentWolfe

BrentWolfe wrote:

I have been having the same issues with my Apple Watch Ultra since installing iOS26. It is incredibly frustrating and there doesn't appear to be any fix other than unpair and re-pair, which isn't a fix. …

YES it IS a fix, the standard everyday fix for getting your Watch straight. Why the resistance?

Ingo2711

Level 10

80,025 points

Nov 18, 2025 6:41 AM in response to nextseason

There seem to be increasing reports from iPhone Series 17 users, having issues with their Apple Watches.

So this looks rather like an iOS issue, in my opinion, in which case those users should also use the iPhone Feedback link:

Feedback - iPhone - Apple

Jlee122

Level 1

8 points

Nov 18, 2025 7:01 AM in response to krene727

I’m also having issues on my Apple Watch 10 since the update. I just switched to Apple a month ago. Anyone have a fix for activity app? I love keeping track of my steps. Thanks

I’ve been a Samsung user previously and never had this issue on my Samsung watch (had the watch for over 6 years). One thing I miss from this watch is that Samsung gathers both watch and phone steps together. So I can see the combined on my watch and phone. Apple Watch doesn’t combine.

Dec 6, 2025 11:17 AM in response to krene727

watchOS 26 is a buggy mess. Probably the worst watch software to date. I have multiple syncing issues between my iPhone and Apple Watch including reviewing text messages on my watch not showing read on iPhone. That’s just one example. I wish I could go back to watchOS 11

Dec 7, 2025 5:27 AM in response to LD150

Maybe for you. I’m having major syncing issues in messages with watchOS 26 and iOS 26. Text messages read on iPhone are still showing unread on Apple Watch. When receiving a message notification on Apple Watch and reviewing it, the message is still showing unread on Apple Watch. Maybe watchOS 26.2 will fix, but I have heard the RC hasn’t fixed it. I contacted Apple support yesterday and they have no fix for the issue.