Ping iPhone not working with WatchOS2

Hi

The following steps may help (check after each):

If you have not yet done so, update your iPhone and Apple Watch to the latest software, starting with your iPhone:

• Update the iOS software on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
• Update the software on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Check that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are both enabled on your iPhone and that your devices are connected, with neither device in Airplane Mode:

• If your Apple Watch isn't connected or paired with your iPhone - Apple Support

Restart (normally) both your iPhone and your Apple Watch, turning both off together, then restarting your iPhone first:

• Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
• Restart your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Unpair and re-pair your watch:

• The Watch app on your iPhone takes a backup of your watch automatically when unpairing via the app. Choose to Restore from Backup during set up. Most data and settings will be restored, with some exceptions (eg Apple Pay cards, passcode).
• Unpair your Apple Watch and iPhone - Apple Support
• Set up your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Hi

Resetting the network settings on your iPhone should resolve that (you will need to re-establish your Wi-Fi connection again afterwards, so have your password ready):

- Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Then restart both your iPhone and Apple Watch.

This did nothing to fix the issue. Now I have to re-add everyone's wifi passwords.

*In response to reseting Network settings:

This is not a viable solution. For those with this issue, this will not resolve it.

I had this issue, and doing a hard reset on my iPhone seemed to resolve the problem. (using iOS 9 on iPhone 5S) Apple Watch is now pinging.

I did not restart the watch, nor reset any settings.

Sweet John wrote:

*In response to reseting Network settings: For those with this issue, this will not resolve it.

That is helpful to know, thank you (the suggestion resolved the same issue under watchOS 1.0.1: Watch ping not working)

Glad to hear that a force restart of your iPhone seems to have resolved it for you.

Try unpairing and re-pairing your Apple Watch and iPhone.

The Apple Watch app on your iPhone takes backups of your watch automatically, including a fresh backup when unpairing via the app. If you have Activation Lock enabled, you will need your Apple ID and password to hand.

When setting it up again after unpairing, choose to restore your Apple Watch from backup when offered the option (by the Apple Watch app). Most data and settings will be restored, except for: calibration data, synced playlists, cards used for Apple Pay on your watch, watch passcode.

About Activation Lock on Apple Watch - Apple Support

Unpair your Apple Watch and iPhone - Apple Support

Set up your Apple Watch - Apple Support

I have tried this and it does not work. The issue started right after iOS9 update on iPhone 5s. Now watch is at watchOS2 and still no joy. All your solution did was force me to re-enter all my wi-fi passwords. Also, re-pairing doesn't work. Please stop giving out bogus information if you don't really know the answer.

You are not alone. After the OS2 upgrade I am not able to get the iphone 6 to ping with the apple watch. Same in that it works a while then stops. It's one of my favorite uses too.

nrgwise wrote:

I have tried this and it does not work. The issue started right after iOS9 update on iPhone 5s. Now watch is at watchOS2 and still no joy. All your solution did was force me to re-enter all my wi-fi passwords. Also, re-pairing doesn't work. Please stop giving out bogus information if you don't really know the answer.

These troubleshooting steps are appropriate when seeking to resolve potential connectivity issues (whether with new or established software).

The first suggestion was based on a confirmed answer to the same issue under the previous version of watchOS. It therefore seemed reasonable to suggest it. When doing so, I advised that password re-entry would be required. Subsequent posts advised that the process was proving unsuccessful under watchOS2.

Unpairing and re-pairing can also resolve connectivity-related issues, although again this does not appear to resolve the pinging issue.

I am sorry if you feel that neither suggestion should have been offered. You may prefer to contact Apple Support:

https://www.apple.com/support/watch/contact/

Jonathan, the problem is that you are presenting these things as solutions, not troubleshooting steps. If you're going to offer them here, please specify that all you're doing is following a tech support script that is not specific to this problem and that you don't know what the solution is, but that this is something to try.

Cherrita wrote:

Jonathan, the problem is that you are presenting these things as solutions, not troubleshooting steps. If you're going to offer them here, please specify that all you're doing is following a tech support script that is not specific to this problem and that you don't know what the solution is, but that this is something to try.

The context for the first suggestion has already been explained. The second suggestion began with "Try..."

You're welcome, Hellbus2.

If you do come to reset and restore your iPhone, make sure to back up your iPhone either via iCloud (encrypted as standard) or, if via iTunes, selecting the option to "Encrypt iPhone backup".

Encrypted backups include sensitive data (including Health data, saved passwords, Wi-Fi settings and website history) that will otherwise be lost when restoring from the backup.