iPhone and watch sync issues

Hello, since I updated watch and iPhone to ios26 the watch would’t sync with the phone anymore. Even if it shows it’s connected, I don’t receive notifications and can’t access any of the settings in the watch app, I receive a message that the watch couldn’t connect.

I have 2 watches, a 10 and a AWU1 and they both have the same issues. I have 2 iPhone too and tried pairing different watches with different phones but I keep having the same issues everywhere. I did reset and pair again again, it would eventually work for some minutes and then do the same thing again ! I got sent a new replacement watch but the issue continues on the new device too. As the watch tries to connect is drains battery very fast too.

i have tried everything and even the support is not helping me with both devices with Apple care +

at this point I have two watches that are completely useless !!

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Oct 18, 2025 4:17 AM

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3 replies

Oct 18, 2025 8:43 AM in response to KJ25

Try to start from scratch by setting the iPhone back to factory settings, if there has been Beta software installed, downgrade it first.

Apple Beta — Restore Shipping Software


In case you had Beta software installed on the Apple Watch, a downgrade to the latest official watchOS is not supported.


Then pair one of the Apple Watches to this iPhone, setting the watch up as a new device.

If this works, pair the other watch the same way.

Set up your Apple Watch - Apple Support




Oct 18, 2025 6:06 AM in response to KJ25

Did you already try to remove the watches form both of your iPhones, and start pairing one watch after the other to only one iPhone? You can pair more than one watch to one iPhone, but not one watch to different iPhones.

Any chance, Beta Software has been installed on any of those devices?


Also make sure that your devices can connect to the same Wi-Fi network and there is no VPN or Firewall active.

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iPhone and watch sync issues

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