Troubleshooting Tips For Charging & Connecting Issues In Apple Watch

If you have a new Apple Watch, you must be looking forward to configuring it and learning more about its functions. It is a fantastic gadget with a range of essential and unique functions that you can use for fitness monitoring, chatting, calling, shopping, etc. 

However, you first need to link it correctly with your iPhone to use all these functions. Users sometimes find that they cannot complete the linking process successfully, rendering their Watch’s functionality gone. Let’s look at the things you need to do when faced with this issue:

What Can Cause Pairing Issues In Apple Watch? 

Certain specific reasons can potentially result in pairing issues between your Apple Watch and iPhone, and most are related to the software. However, sometimes, hardware issues may also crop up, causing the same problem. It’s unlikely for hardware glitches to surface in a brand new Apple Watch, and it makes more sense to attempt some software issue fixes.

Note: Your Apple iWatch will need at least an iPhone 6/ 6 Plus or later model, and it will not function with any Android-based devices or an iPad. 

How To Troubleshoot Your Apple Watch Pairing Issue

A systematic troubleshooting process will help isolate the pairing issue. These are the troubleshooting steps to follow:

1. Check The Apple Watch’s Connection

 

• Disconnect the Apple Watch from the iPhone. There might be a problem with the Watch replicating not being paired with the latter.
• Stay on the clock face screen and swipe up on the Apple Watch to check its connection status. It will bring up the device’s control center with many excellent shortcuts, and you will see the connection status on the Watch’s upper-left corner.
• A green iPhone icon indicates that the connection is successful. If you face an issue with the Apple Watch functions, it isn’t because of unpairing. 
• A blue Wi-Fi icon indicates that your Apple Watch has Wi-Fi network connectivity. This icon is the same as the control panel’s first button, highlighted in blue. 
• Tap this button to switch off Wi-Fi on your Apple Watch. This step will force it to pair with the iPhone (which you should have nearby.) If the Apple Watch doesn’t pair, move on to the following troubleshooting steps.
• A red iPhone icon indicates no connectivity between the two devices.
• Ensure that you have the iPhone on your person or near you. If you move far away enough, you will face connectivity issues between your Apple Watch and iPhone. 

2. Check Whether Any Settings Are Preventing The Pairing

It may not always be a hardware glitch or software failure causing the Apple Watch to unpair from the iPhone. Sometimes, the settings of your phone or Watch could be causing this problem, and we will look at some common reasons for this:

• The Apple Watch is on Airplane Mode- The airplane mode cuts all communication, including the Watch’s ability to pair with your iPhone. Slide up on the Watch’s clock face screen to open up your Watch’s control panel. If you see the Airplane Mode highlighted in orange, it indicates that Airplane mode is on. Tape it to switch it off, and the Apple Watch should connect quickly.
• Airplane Mode On Your iPhone– This function behaves as it does on your Watch, preventing all communication. Swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone’s display (at the point its bezel connects with the screen’s edge) to access its control panel. The Airplane mode button is at the screen’s upper-right corner and will be highlighted in orange if it’s activated. 
• Bluetooth On Your iPhone– The iPhone and Apple Watch pair via Bluetooth, and you will need to check Bluetooth settings from the phone’s control panel. You will find the Bluetooth icon in the lower right corner of the Airplane Mode (in the phone’s Control Center). If this is off, you will see the Bluetooth button highlighted in white. Tap this button to switch it on, and the Apple Watch should establish a connection within moments.

3. Reboot The iPhone If You Still Facing Pairing Issues 

These are just some basic settings, and if your Watch still doesn’t pair with your phone, reboot the device. It is one of the oldest troubleshooting steps that tends to fix many common problems in most devices, including your iPhone, and the step might help in pairing your Apple Watch and iPhone. This is how you do it:

• Hold down your phone’s Sleep/Wake button until you see the ‘Slide to Power Off” button. The other way to get to this same point is to launch the phone’s settings app, select ‘General Settings’, and then ‘Shut Down’ at the end. 
• Your iPhone will power down once you slide this button towards the right. After several seconds, press the Sleep/Wake button until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
• When the iPhone finishes booting up, recheck the Apple Watch connection.

4. If It Has Still Not Paired, Reboot The Apple Watch

 

It’s better to reboot your iPhone first and then do the same with your Apple Watch instead of vice versa. Once your Apple Watch boots up, it helps ensure there aren’t any lingering issues on your phone. Follow these steps:

• Hold down the button below the crown on your Apple Watch
• Slide its Power Off button toward the right, after the prompt shows up
• Once the display goes dark for a few seconds, Power on the Watch by clicking on the digital crown
• You will see the Apple logo appearing immediately on the screen. If it doesn’t show up, wait a few more seconds and then click on the button again.

Rebooting both devices should typically solve most problems if your Apple Watch doesn’t pair. If the problem persists, you will have to dive deeper and follow these troubleshooting steps:

5. Check Your iPhone’s Operating System for Updates

Check that your iPhone has the most current operating system version by following these steps:

• Launch the Settings app on your iPhone. Choose; General Settings and tap ‘Software Update.’ 
• It’s a good idea to make sure you’re on the most current version of your iPhone’s operating system, before troubleshooting steps that necessitate deleting information from it.
• If a more recent operating system update is available, the device will prompt you to download and install it. 
• Note that you can’t check the WatchOS version when your iPhone and Apple Watch aren’t paired.

6. Clear Your iPhone’s Network Settings

Your iPhone stores the connecting networks information as it helps smooth the reconnection process. This data can sometimes become corrupted, keeping your phone from connecting with your Apple Watch. You may have to log into your local Wi-Fi network gain to reset this information, so it’s best to keep your password handy. These are the steps to follow:

• Launch Your iPhone’s Settings app
• Next select ‘General’
• Scroll down and select ‘Reset’ 
• Tap ‘Reset Network Settings.’ At this point, you may be prompted to type in the passcode to verify your request. 

What If The Apple Watch Pairing Problem Still Exists?

If you are still facing pairing issues between your Apple Watch and iPhone, the final step is to reset your Watch. Keep in mind that doing this will result in the loss of any data you haven’t backed up. It’s one of the reasons to save this step for the last. 

However, you will be able to restore most of the data from your Apple Watch’s most recent backup after you have unpaired and paired the devices. The unpairing process erases all the data on your Apple Watch. Now you can set up your Apple Watch like you did when you unboxed it. Follow these steps to fix most problems:

Launch the Settings app on your Apple Watch

• Select ‘General’
• Tap Reset
• Next, select ‘Erase All Content and Settings’

Launch the Apple Watch app on your iPhone

• Select the ‘My Watch’ tab at the bottom of its screen.
• Select your Watch at the display’s top 
• Tap the Information button with the encircled ‘i’, right next to the Watch
• Select ‘Unpair Apple Watch’ and tap again to confirm.

What If The Apple Watch Still Has Problems? 

If you’ve followed all the steps mentioned above and are still facing Apple Watch and iPhone pairing issues, there is likely a hardware problem and not a software one. You will have to get both the devices checked at an Apple Store with a Genius Bar, so make that appointment right away. 

The employees at the store will inspect both devices to determine whether any internal components of either your Apple Watch or iPhone are damaged. If yes, then they should have the replacement parts for them. If both the devices are under factory warranty or if you have the company’s AppleCare+ package, the repairs/replacements will likely be free for you. If you do not have either of those, you will have to pay for the repairs out of pocket. 

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