WatchOS 4.3 Taking 2 Hours Just To Download

I am updating my Gen1 AppleWatch to watchOS 4.3 and I'm at 2 hours now... just to download the OS. This has always been a "commitment" to update my AppleWatch to a new OS, but it seems the latest version is taking even longer. Previous comments states it is normal to take an hour, but I have never seen this kind of time. Is there anything that someone is doing to speed this process up, outside of starting the update in the evening and hoping it doesn't stop by the time you get up?


Gen1 AppleWatch

Upgrading from iPhone 7+ running iOS 11.3


Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

WATCH SPORT 42MM (1ST GEN), watchOS 4.2.3

Posted on Apr 5, 2018 9:35 AM

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2 replies

Apr 5, 2018 2:18 PM in response to Arnell

The time to download the latest update is going to be based on your Internet speed. A few things I recommend:

  • Make sure you are connected to Wireless when you are downloading the update. Your Wireless speed is probably faster than your Cell Connection
  • Don't play with your phone while it's downloading. If you're surfing the web, doing Facebook, watching YouTube, etc while you are trying to download the update for WatchOS, that's going to take bandwidth away from the download. I generally like to plug my phone in and set it next to the Watch, then go watch a TV show for a bit while it does its thing. Usually by the time I'm back, the OS is downloaded and I'm ready to install it.

Apr 5, 2018 2:19 PM in response to speedster2005

Thanks speedster,


I have a 100 mbps, so my connection is good. I did some network testing and all seemed to be fine. That being said, there may have been an issue with the download server and my connection. Although all other (random) sites had good speeds, by resetting and renewing my ISP connecting the speed increased dramatically. Still it was slow, but not 2 hours slow. It still took over an hour, but that was due to starting the download over. Thanks for your recommendation. Now the installation process is a whole different issue... ;-)

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WatchOS 4.3 Taking 2 Hours Just To Download

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