Unable to install some apps on Watch Series 4

I had same problem on Nike edition series 4, with of cause, iPhone 6 Plus. Issue started since I upgraded WatchOS from 5.1 to 5.1.1, and NRC to 5.20 at the same time, so I can’t tell what caused the issue.

I tried similar approaches to fix; unpaired, reset as new watch, reset as new phone & in combination, Problem still the same, and have exactly repeated symphom that NRC and a few apps won’t be installed (same list of other feedback), and heartrate measuring during workshop not actively measuring all the time.

Went to see apple’s engineer (waited over 2 hrs), they said, it’s a known issues and will be fixed in next WatchOS release (Most likely 5.1.2). Strange that they are not able to downgrade my WatchOS.... have to wait for new release.

Found a solution for Mojave 🎉 Only issue I had, I had to delete the app I wanted to install on the watch from my iPhone 6 Plus so it gets correctly installed instead of being overridden. No need for iTunes. Updating my blog post.

Just a quick question, have you read the whole thread? If not I highly recommend you to, because if you're not a Linux or very old Windows / macOS user there is a manageable workaround. As far as I understand the issue it's the App Store that sends a corrupted build to that HW combination. The workaround on the other hand will grab a generic build which is not stripped by the App Store and after you manage to install that App to your phone it will install on your watch just fine as well. 😉

In case you are a mac user and don't want to read lots here is the link, just scroll down to the workaround: https://devandartist.com/posts/apps-not-installing-on-the-apple-watch-or-error-1 7

For Windows users I posted a potential workaround in this thread, find it 🔎

Do you have Watch OS 5.1.1?. I think this update cause the problem.

See the picture below. This is my watch with OS 5.1.1 and Shazam won´t install. the same thing with American Airlines, Strava, Facebook messenger, etc.

Hope this help.

I wouldn't be sure it's an watchOS issue. I did a research of my own on this issue and found something interesting not yet mentioned anywhere. Yes it is related to the combination of devices iPhone 6 Plus (12.1) and Apple Watch Series 4 (5.1.1 or even 5.1.2 beta).

I also contacted Apple Support, but they did not tell me that it's a known thing yet. Long story short, I tried everything with my devices and nothing will help since in the end it's a software bug that only Apple can fix.

For more information please my blog post related to this issue: https://devandartist.com/posts/apps-not-installing-on-the-apple-watch-or-error-1 7

I doubt that they can‘t. I just got a notification on my bug report that confirms that it‘s a known bug already.

Engineering has determined that your bug report (46149424) is a duplicate of 45856825 and will be closed.

So if you want a refund, go for it! I‘m fine with the workaround. Btw. I cannot fully confirm, but some apps that were recently updated start to install on the watch (maybe it was a time based bug which is not retrofitted to currently affected apps). If Spotify pushes an update and if the app installs then it may really be the case.

Hello,

I have the same problem with an iPhone 6Plus.

I can install applications updated before the watchOS 5.1 release, but I can’t install applications updated after the watchOS 5.1 release.

I spent 3 hours in an Apple Store with a Genius. Could not solve the problem.

My watch syncs seamlessly with another iPhone (but not 6Plus).

You see the issue after applying the workaround? Any chance you skipped the step where I explicitly mention to delete the previously installed app from the phone? This is necessary because otherwise you won't really install a non-corrupted build.

The latter error is more likely unrelated to the issue, I've seen it a lot of times even during time when not installing anything.

Spoke to a senior tech at apple yesterday. He also, told me that it's a known issue and that there is nothing Apple will currently do for me to help resolve it (i.e. new refurbished iphone 7). He stated that since the engineers are aware of the issue it will be addressed in an upcoming update, but could not say if it will be any time soon. Overall I was pretty disappointed with his lack of assistance but at least we know they are working on it.

Apps Support AW S4 and can't be install/update list :

Nike run club

MS OneNote

Line

Apple Sore

1Password

Evernote

Night Sky

Inervals Pro

Carrot Weather

Shazam

SleepWatch

Yelp

TickTick

LassPass

American Airline

WaterMinder

Strava

Facebook messenger

They have same symptoms : Updated to new version within this week on iPhone and only happen on AW S4.

If you're a Windows user then you still got a change, but I cannot try myself to write a step by step guide. If you're on Linux then you're out of luck.

Windows users can try installing the apps with iTunes (I tried this solution first with High Sierra).

- Download this version of iTunes Deploy apps in a business environment with iTunes - Apple Support

- If you get an error watch this video, the guy shows that you must replace one outdated file with a newer one in order to launch iTunes successfully (Get the App Store Back in iTunes! - YouTube) - keep in mind that the path the these files might be completely different on Windows, you'll need to find it yourself

- Delete the app you want to install from your iPhone (important)

- In that iTunes will will have the App Store option back, install it from the App store

- Go to the Watch App and install your app to the watch (should work now)

I have the same problem with AW iOS 5.1.1

Apps that won’t install are :

- Drafts

- Find near me

- Flipboard

- Gymaholic

- Gymatic

- Komoot

- Messenger

- Shazam

- Stocard

Automatic app installation is activated in settings but after installment of these apps on iphone they remain in “available apps” with the install button next to it that you can click but doesn’t work.

Restarting or resettING iphone and/or apple watch doesn’t work. Reinstalling the apps neither.

Went to Genius bar - essentially told to buy a new phone even though the 6 plus is still a supported HW. They escalated to Level 2 and when I spoke to them I got "yeah - seen a few of these, seems to be an issue" No idea if/when it will be fixed. On the positive side - the Apple Store will refund your $$ on the watch and since I bought the Nike version to run and can't use the app - that's where I'm going. Time to get a Garmin!

Thanks for this helpful thread, I have the exact same issues with the same iPhone 6 Plus Watch Series 4 configuration. I have tried the workaround proposed and it works, thank you.

I hope Apple provides an official update that fixes this serious issue soon -- ironically even the Apple Store and Apple Keynote apps would not install due to this bug.

Just a quick question to anyone who might have used the workaround for Nike Run Club. If we uninstall the NRC app, does this erase our run data on the iPhone? Or is our Nike run data online safely in a cloud somewhere? Thanks for confirming!

It's great to hear Apple has already known this issue and will be fixed in next watchOS update.