The Apple Watch remains a stalwart of the smartwatch world. Although it now has plenty of competition from heavyweights like Garmin, Samsung, and Fitbit, the Series 7 remains the best smartwatch to buy. However, it isn’t exempt from issues. This is especially true for older generation Apple Watches, too. Show
But don’t fret; we’re here to help. Below, you can find a list of some of the most common Apple Watch problems and possible solutions for fixing them. Our verdict: Apple Watch Series 7 review Problem #1: Pairing issuesJimmy Westenberg / Android Authority Pairing your Apple Watch and iPhone is usually a seamless process, but it can run into issues. Whether the devices aren’t close enough to each other, not in Wi-Fi range, or Apple’s QR code pairing method doesn’t work, there are a few things you can try to rectify Apple Watch pairing problems. Potential solutions:
More instructions: How to reset an Apple Watch | How to pair an Apple Watch Problem #2: Charging issuesYour Apple Watch will inform you that it’s charging through a little green lightning bolt icon. If you don’t see this, even if you’re connected to a charger, there are a few things you can try. Potential solutions:
Problem #3: Screen issuesJimmy Westenberg / Android Authority The Apple Watch’s big, responsive display is a key part of its experience, but it could be a minor issue or an indication of a growing problem if it doesn’t switch on. If the Apple logo refuses to disappear, you can also try the potential solutions below. Potential solutions:
Other issues:
Problem #4: Notification issuesA core part of the Apple Watch experience is interacting with notifications on your wrist. However, sometimes, these notifications can suddenly stop filtering through. Possible solutions:
Problem #5: Update issuesDavid Imel / Android Authority If you own an older Apple Watch, you’ve probably run into the “unable to install update” message at least once. However, there are a few basic things to remember before updating your device:
Older Apple Watches often suffer storage errors while updating watchOS. The fix is relatively simple — free up space the update needs to install.
More details: How to update an Apple Watch Problem #6: Digital Crown issuesEric Zeman / Android Authority The Digital Crown is a nifty button that powers much of the Apple Watch’s menu navigation. Unfortunately, sometimes dust and debris get lodged into the cog, jamming it or stopping it from rotating. In this case, you’ll need to give your Apple Watch a thorough clean to mitigate this Apple Watch problem. Potential solutions:
Problem #7: Activity tracking issuesJimmy Westenberg / Android Authority The Apple Watch is a stellar smartwatch and a capable fitness tracker. But sometimes, it doesn’t quite track health metrics effectively. Potential solutions:
More: How to use ECG on the Apple Watch and keep tabs on your heart health Problem #8: Cellular service issuesIf you have an LTE-enabled Apple Watch, you may occasionally run into network issues. Usually, this isn’t a major problem if LTE has worked on your device before. Potential solutions:
Problem #9: Messaging issuesApple Watch Series 5 Sending messages directly from your Apple Watch to other Apple devices is a nifty trick, but it’s not flawless. If you can’t send or receive texts on your wrist, you can run through the checklist below to fix one of the most common Apple Watch problems. Potential solutions:
Problem #10: App issuesJimmy Westenberg / Android Authority Part of the Apple Watch’s power is the plethora of apps available to install. But these can often crash randomly and without warning. Thankfully, there’s an easy fix. Potential solutions:
Problem #11: Apple Watch performance issuesIt’s unlikely the Apple Watch Series 6 will show any signs of slowing down early in its life, but older models might experience some lag from time to time. Lagging software is one of the most common Apple Watch problems for older models. Below are a few ways to mitigate this. Potential solutions:
Problem #12: Apple Watch band issuesEric Zeman / Android Authority Smartwatch bands take plenty of abuse, and the Apple Watch is no different. Thankfully, Apple Watch bands can be swapped out relatively easily. Problem #13: Apple Pay issuesKaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Apple Pay is incredibly convenient. If you can’t seem to pay for items using your Watch, rebooting the Watch is a good first step. If that doesn’t solve it, you may need to run through the steps we outline below. Potential solutions:
Problem #14: Walkie Talkie issuesRyan Haines / Android Authority Walkie Talkie is a super nifty feature on the Apple Watch that lets users communicate with one another directly from their wrists. While it’s endlessly useful, you may run into a few issues trying to get it working. Here are some of the more common fixes.
See also: How to use Walkie Talkie on your Apple Watch Still having issues? If so, be sure to let us know in the comments below. We’ll do our best to help. AppleApple WatchWearables |