Photos not syncing (iOS 9 / watchOS 2)

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47 points

Photos not syncing (iOS 9 / watchOS 2)

After recently upgrading to iOS 9 on my iPhone 6; I noticed that photos were no longer being pushed to the watch (I am syncing the "All Photos" folder so the most recent are available on my Watch), and thought this might be an issue that will remedy itself with watchOS 2 or with a restore.

Since then, I had to trade out my iPhone for a refurb at the Apple Store, so went through the whole process of restoring the Watch from backup, etc. but this did not rectify the issue (it was still iOS 9, watchOS 1.0.1 at this point).

And now with watchOS 2 released to the public, with both being on charge the duration of last night, the photos still haven't appeared. I've tried changing the folder, changing the amount of photos syncing, and I've tried boot cycling both devices. The photos are simply not syncing. Other services such as apps, music, etc. are all fine.

Is this a common issue that anyone else is noticing? I'm sure when they were syncing under iOS 8 they slowly appeared once by one within photos – at the moment, I'm just getting "No Photos" in the Photos app on the watch, and "0 Photos" listed under usage in Settings.

Watch Standard 42mm, Watch OS 1.0.1, Stainless Steel – Blk Sport – 42m

Posted on Sep 22, 2015 4:14 AM

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Answer 1

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Churchil

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25 points

Sep 23, 2015 1:06 AM in response to jamie.shaw

I have the same problem, though after disconnecting from and reconnecting to my iPhone my photo's on mu watch are partially in synch. There are some "blank spaces" left on my watch when showing photo's. I have also changed the number of photos from 100 to 250 on the watch app but nothing happens. I have contacted support after upgrading my iPhone to iOS9 but before upgrading my Wacht to Watch OS2. Then i was advised to wait for OS2......

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Answer 2

jamie.shaw Author

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47 points

Sep 22, 2015 7:01 AM in response to Churchil

So I've gone ahead with unpairing it and setting it up as a new watch, just to see what happens. By default, it pulled through my "Favourite" photos but after changing the Photo Sync settings to "All Photos" and "500 Photos", it appears too much for it. The favourite photos remain in the "Photos" app – perhaps there is a bug in iOS 9 that does not allow the sync of the 'All Photos' album?

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Answer 3

highcool

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15 points

Sep 23, 2015 1:06 AM in response to jamie.shaw

I have the same issue. Photos synced fine before upgrading to iOS9 & OS2. I've tried both unpairing-restoring, as well as unpairing-"set up as new" as well. Similarly, it starts with Favorites, but any changes that I make to the synced album or limits doesn't change anything on the watch.

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Answer 4

jamie.shaw Author

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47 points

Sep 22, 2015 9:22 AM in response to highcool

Are you trying to use the All Photos album as well? Or do you think this is a bug affecting ALL albums?

I wonder if those pulled through are just done so via the initial process, and then the sync call just isn't loaded again. Also curious if new Favourites are loaded after the initial setup.

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Answer 5

highcool

Level 1

15 points

Sep 22, 2015 9:27 AM in response to jamie.shaw

It's affecting all the albums that I've tried, including All Photos.

That's probably right - the initial sync works, then there are no subsequent syncs. Changes to the Favorites album on the phone don't transfer to the Watch (e.g., adding a photo to Favorites).

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Answer 6

jamie.shaw Author

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47 points

Sep 22, 2015 9:31 AM in response to jamie.shaw

Hmm, I definitely think it's more iOS 9 than watchOS 2; it happened as soon as I installed it.

I've submit a bug report through Feedback Assisstant, probably wont see anything anytime soon.

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Answer 7

Churchil

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25 points

Sep 22, 2015 9:50 AM in response to highcool

+1

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Answer 8

EcoMac

Level 1

7 points

Sep 22, 2015 10:24 AM in response to jamie.shaw

I have this issue too and have tried everything from changing album sync settings to hard resetting both the phone and watch. I haven't tried resetting the watch yet. Apple Watch WatchOS 2.0, iPhone 6 Plus iOS 9.0

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Answer 9

jamie.shaw Author

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47 points

Sep 22, 2015 10:31 AM in response to EcoMac

Save yourself the hastle, repairing it won't fix the issue.

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Answer 10

Sep 22, 2015 6:30 PM in response to jamie.shaw

I agree. I have not upgraded to Watch OS 2. But I did upgrade to iOS 9 on my iPhone, and I can no longer access any photos, except two which are available under favorites.

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Answer 11

pman1088

Level 1

4 points

Sep 22, 2015 10:55 PM in response to jamie.shaw

I use an iPhone, iPad and MacBooks. That being said, until iOS 9, everything was sync'd fine between them all. After the update, my phone was stuck at needing to upload 12 photos for a few days. I went to Settings->iCloud->Photos and turned off my "iCloud Photo Library". I accepted the warning about deleting things from my phone knowing that on my other devices they were intact. I waited for the action to complete then turned "iCloud Photo Library" back on. After an initial sync, everything is as it should be, and no more stuck with a never ending upload.

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Answer 12

jamie.shaw Author

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47 points

Sep 22, 2015 11:22 PM in response to pman1088

It doesn't appear related to iCloud Photo Library – it's a different sync solution between iPhone and Apple Watch entirely.

Just curious, however, what everyone's particular use cases are. Would everyone mind just replying with the following:

• Is iCloud Photo Library enabled on your iPhone?

• How large is your entire photo library?

• How large is the album that you're attempting to sync (ignoring the limitation number set by Photo sync in Watch.app)?

For me: Yes, ~10,000, ~10,000.

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Answer 13

Churchil

Level 1

25 points

Sep 22, 2015 11:41 PM in response to jamie.shaw

For me: yes. Total library 34.000 album 620

I tried differetn album with different sizes. the app/ watch doesis stuck at 86 pictures and does not respond when changing albums, sizes. It seems to be stuck

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Answer 14

Sep 23, 2015 12:11 AM in response to jamie.shaw

Hi. I spent 3 hours at my keyboard talking to Apple about this last night, they are calling me back this evening. setting up watch as a new watch and selecting various albums whilst swapping and changing my settings, re-starting etc has not solved the issue. I will let you know how I get on tonight; meantime I suggest you all do the same as this is clearly a software bug. Can anyone definitely state wether it was the watch or iOS update that caused the issue? Cheers.

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Answer 15

Churchil

Level 1

25 points

Sep 23, 2015 12:55 AM in response to simonbuysellit

In my case it started after updating to iOS9 on my iPhone and before updating to Watch OS2. So I would say that the iOS update triggered the event. I also had contact withsupport without result, other than to wait for the update to Watch OS 2.

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