Apple Watch can't open Facebook Messenger!

1. On your iPhone, open the Messenger app
2. Access the Settings page and tap on Apple Watch
3. Change the default replies to anything you want and then close the app
4. Now go back to Settings > Apple Watch and delete the entry that you changed
5. Again, close the app on your iPhone
6. Open Facebook Messenger on your Apple Watch, and all your messages should be there, fully loaded.

I had to delete the app from my iPad as well.

Hi I can’t use fb messenger on Apple Watch. Have tried your suggestion but there is no settings icon in messenger on my phone and Apple Watch isn’t listed so I can’t change to default messages. Any help welcomed

Hi louislab,

I’ve got the exact same issue. Including the missing “Apple Watch” in the iPhone Messenger app. I have tried un-installing the apps on my watch (S3) and iPhone (X) and also unpairing my watch completely but with no success. All I get is the spinning loading wheel that goes on forever. I can still get Messenger notifications through the watch. I also tried changing my Facebook privacy settings but nothing happened.

Cheers,

Lars

I dont know if it is just me, but i have looked at all the troubleshooting i can and the one that seems to appear the most is going on messenger on the phone and changing the custom messages through the apple watch tab, i dont have this tab

It is happening on my series 3, which brand new (all of about 2 weeks old) -- Messenger has never worked, always getting the spinning wheel of doom...

I have tried all steps listed in your post, neither fix works for me unfortunately.

Also, I attempted the popular solution below (setting and unsetting default replies); however the Apple Watch button disappears in the Messenger application, making it impossible to proceed. This occurs even after an uninstall > reboot of both watch and phone > re-install.

Definitely a bug somewhere; can't just be my watch?

Any other advice?

Thanks in advance!

I have this same problem, i cant get facebook messenger on my watch to go past the spinning wheel...also on my phone there is not apple watch button in my messenger settings screen...did you get this resolved yet? Im getting so frustrated! I have also tried every fix listed and nothing works...

Issue still unresolved. Still getting the circle of doom if I try to open the app on the watch. Funny thing is if, I get a message I can open it and reply on my watch. Can’t just open the app to initiate a message, but can reply! Go figure!!

Currently having same issue, have you been able to resolve yours?

Very helpful thanks

I have done EVERYTHING that’s been suggested with no success. Any more ideas

Hi

If you have not yet done so, it may help to update your iPhone and Apple Watch to the latest software versions (presently iOS 9.2 and watchOS 2.1):

• To update your watch from a software version prior to watchOS 2, your iPhone needs to be running iOS 9 or later.
• Update the iOS software on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
• Update the software on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Then try the following steps, trying to open the app after each:

• Place your Apple Watch on its charger with power connected and also connect your iPhone to power.
• On your iPhone: open the Music app and start playing a song (through your iPhone speakers is fine).
• On your iPhone, in the Watch app, go to: My Watch (tab) > scroll down and tap on the name of the app that won't open > turn off the option for Show App on Apple Watch > pause for a few moments > turn the option back on off, then back on.

If that does not resolve the issue, next unpair and re-pair your watch:

• The Watch app on your iPhone takes watch backups automatically, including a fresh one when unpairing via the app.
• Choose to restore the watch (Restore from Backup) when offered the option 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

More information:

Get help with apps on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

This is what worked for me...

1. On your phone, open Messenger.

2. Go to Settings at the lower right of the screen

3. Go to Apple Watch

4. Change one of the "Default Replies" to anything you want

5. Go back to settings by touching "<Settings"

6. Go to Apple Watch again

7. Delete the entry you changed

8. Go back to settings

9. Close the Messenger App on your phone

10. Open the Messenger App on your watch and it should load all messages

This is what worked for me... I'm not sure how or why, but nothing else worked and I wasn't about to delete anything or reset my phone. Hope this helps!

I have no idea why, but this really fixed the issue for me. Messenger was spinning for days beforehand. Thanks!

Genius!