Every now and then you have to update the Apple Watch: after all, a smart watch continuously learns. In this tip, we’ll show you the ways to update an Apple Watch.
Update an Apple Watch in two ways
Updating an Apple Watch is not difficult at all, but it has to be done every now and then. It is most convenient to do this ‘task’ at a quiet time, because it can take a while. Broadly speaking, there are two ways to update an Apple Watch: via an iPhone, or on the watch itself.
1. Update Apple Watch via iPhone
The iPhone is, as it were, the brain of the Apple Watch. You can therefore update the latter via your phone. It goes like this:
- Load
Before we start: put your Apple Watch on the charger and leave it connected to the power supply until the update is complete;
- Grab the phone
Open the Watch app on your iPhone and go to the ‘My Watch’ tab;
- To download
Tap ‘General’ and choose ‘Software Update’. Then download the Apple Watch update and enter your iPhone or watch passcode when prompted;
- Complete
The update will now be downloaded and installed. Depending on the file size and your internet speed, the update can take from a few minutes to an hour. Your Apple Watch will automatically start up when the update is complete.
2. On the watch itself
You can also update an Apple Watch without touching your iPhone, although it must of course be nearby during the update:
- Grab your Apple Watch and open the Settings app;
- Tap on ‘General’ and choose ‘Software update’;
- Select ‘Install’ and follow the steps on the screen to install the update;
- Your Apple Watch will automatically reboot when the update is complete.
The conditions
Updating an Apple Watch is therefore not that difficult at all. You do have to meet a number of conditions in advance. First, make sure your iPhone is running the most recent iOS version. You can check this by going to ‘General’ in the Settings app and then tapping ‘Software update’. If a new update is available, you can download it here.
It is also important that your Apple Watch battery is at least 50 percent charged and that the watch is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone. Finally, make sure both devices are next to each other while updating. As mentioned, your Apple Watch and iPhone function as an inseparable team.
Get the most out of your Apple watch
On iPhone we are happy to help you get the most out of your Apple Watch. For example, did you know that you can use Spotify on your watch, without an iPhone nearby? Or do you suffer from a rapidly depleting battery? Check out our tips to extend the battery life of your Apple Watch.
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