Apple watches cannot be updated to watchOS 26.6 after iPhone gets updated to iOS 27

I have the same issue. I cannot use the watch after the update the iPhone to iOS 27. Apple Please help!

these forums are user helping other users like yourself, it's sort of going to a physical apple store and asking other customers their advice

This is a user helping users with tech questions forum, we are not apple and apple do not read your posts here

You can provide them with feedback using Product Feedback - Apple

Or reach out to their official support channels

Get Support (apple.com)

And or

Contact - Official Apple Support

And or

Contact - How to Contact Us - Apple

Or

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

I have totally the same issue with my iPhone 13pro on iOS27 and Apple Watch 8 that don’t won’t to start working even after reset before installing Watch OS26.6, but that is unable to install for a dozen tries. Now I have totally unusable Apple Watch and I’m really upset that I can’t find a solution for this.

This is the exact issue I’m having. After trying everything you’ve also done to no avail, the next step I’m prompted to take is to take it into a Genius Bar - but you’ve done that, too.

Fixed: What actually fixed it: a hard reset from the watch's physical buttons, not through the Watch app or Settings.

1. Press and hold the side button until the power-off icon appears in the top right.

2. Press and hold the Digital Crown until "Erase All Content and Settings" appears.

3. Tap Reset, then confirm by tapping Reset again.

After that, pairing and setup went through without the update loop. Apple chat/phone support and in-store Geniuses couldn't resolve it any other way — this button-based reset was the one thing that worked.

Update: I’ve even pulled out an old iPhone 13, updated it to iOS 26.7, and I still get the same error message the OP of this thread is getting when I try to pair (which REQUIRES am install of Watch os26.6 update) to iPhone 13 and iOS 26.7. I’m not a tech-savvy guy, but that makes me think it’s a WatchOS 26.6 update issue, not an iOS 27 issue. To further that belief, I have two watches - a Watch series 6, and a Watch Ultra series 1. Both of them WERE paired to both of my iPhones, but now neither of them will pair to *either* phone (running either iOS 26.6 or iOS 27) - unless I update to WatchOS 26.6 - which gives me the error code and won’t install. But….why did my Watch 6 stop paring with my iPhone 13 Pro Max and 17 Pro Max in the first place when I haven’t even tried to update IT to WatchOS 26.6 like I did my Ultra 1? I’m confused, and broke from all the Apple products I buy.

Same problem. Trying to restore from an older iPhone on iOS26 but not having a ton of success. WatchOS 26.6 just hangs on Verifying.

Things I've tried:

• Unpair, re-pair on iPhone 17 Pro w/ iOS 27 (fail)
• Unpair, re-pair on iPhone 16 Pro Max w/ iOS 26 (works, hangs on Verifying)

I've tried all manner of combos of resetting, restarting, restoring, and it just isn't working. I hope Apple addresses this soon because I don't want or need a new watch (this one is barely four years old!).

I’m not criticizing your point, because it’s likely true, but the fact that it’s likely true. An “Apple Support Community” that doesn’t include Apple itself in that support isn’t even like going to an Apple Store and speaking to customers - its like going to a McDonald’s drive-thru and asking if they have an iPhone and can help you. I mean, the OP of this thread even said they contacted all the links you post here, and even went into an Apple Store, but no Apple employee in any of those outlets could fix the problem for them. So, although you’re likely right (Apple’s not present here) it feels like you’re sending them to the McDonald’s drive through.

This worked for me. Time-consuming but less expensive than a repair job. Thanks @emon_ganguly

See post from emon_ganguly; this worked for me