Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.
I updated my phone this week and my apple watch has disconnected several times and i have to master reset the watch in order for it to work properly. What is going on ?
Posted on Aug 7, 2016 4:18 PM
Hi
If you have not yet done so, it may help to also update your watch to the latest software:
Update the software on your Apple Watch - Apple Support
Disconnections can be normal, such as when the watch loses the Bluetooth connection with the paired iPhone and no known W-Fi network is available.
Your devices should reconnect automatically a short while after being brought close together again. If they do not, keep your iPhone and watch close by each other and try following these steps until they do:
- Check that both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on your iPhone:
It may help to toggle Bluetooth off and on again on your iPhone (Settings > Bluetooth).
- Check that Airplane Mode is not enabled on your watch:
- When viewing the time on your watch, swipe up on the watch face > swipe left / right to the Settings Glance.
- If your watch is not connected and Airplane Mode is turned on, tap the button to turn it off.
- It may otherwise help to toggle Airplane Mode on and off again.
- Restart both devices, turning both off together, then restarting your iPhone first.
- Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
- Restart your Apple Watch - Apple Support
For the best performance from your watch, keep both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi permanently enabled on your iPhone.
If your watch repeatedly fails to connect or remain connected with your iPhone as expected, it may help to unpair and re-pair your watch (choose to Restore from Backup when offered the option):
- Unpair your Apple Watch and iPhone - Apple Support
- Set up your Apple Watch - Apple Support
More information:
If your Apple Watch isn't connected to your iPhone - Apple Support
Posted on Aug 7, 2016 4:40 PM
Apple Watch Keeps Disconnecting from iPhone
Apple Watch depends on the iPhone for almost all of its functionality, connecting to and communicating with the iPhone using two methods: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. If your iPhone and Apple Watch are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (an Apple Watch connection to a known Wi-Fi network is established through the iPhone), they can be as far apart from each other as the Wi-Fi signal will
allow. The two devices are also connected to each other through Bluetooth. Bluetooth requires both devices to be within 30 feet of each other or they will disconnect.
A few days ago, I experienced an issue that showed my iPhone and Apple Watch disconnected, even though they were on the same Wi-Fi
network and only about two feet from each other.
While I don't know why it happened, I do know how to fix it. If you run into the same connection problems, give these quick fixes a try.
Airplane Mode
If you see the disconnect icon the first thing you should try is Airplane mode on Apple Watch to end and re-establish a connection.
- From the watch face on Apple Watch, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
- Swipe to the right until you see the Control Center.
- Tap the airplane icon to turn Airplane mode on.
- Tap it again to turn it off.
This should reset Bluetooth so that the devices sync back together.
Bluetooth Reset
If that doesn't work, try turning Bluetooth off on your iPhone and turn it back on again.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap Bluetooth.
- Toggle the switch to the Off position.
- Toggle the switch back on.
- Tap Apple Watch to reconnect it with your iPhone.
If those two methods don't work, you can try the trick that fixes a lot of iOS-related problems: turning your device on and off again, which is what ultimately worked for me.
I powered off my iPhone for just a minute by holding down the Lock Screen button until the slide-to-turn-off button appeared. Then, I turned it back on again by holding down the Lock screen button again. Once my iPhone was back on, both devices were connected again.
We've also seen some issues with Apple Watch and iPhone connections working fine over Bluetooth but failing to fall back to Wi-Fi when out of Bluetooth range or Bluetooth on the phone is turned off. One solution that has worked for some involves turning off the Apple Watch, forgetting the current Wi-Fi network in the iPhone's Settings app, re-adding the Wi-Fi network, and turning the Apple Watch back on.
These appears to be isolated issues that probably won't happen to you. However, if they do, don't perform a hard reset or un-pair and repair of your Apple Watch until you've tried the above methods first. It could save you a lot of time and hassle.
Popular Stories
All the Apple Black Friday Deals You Can Get Right Now: AirPods, Apple TV, Mac, iPad, and More
Last week was jam-packed with early Black Friday deals, and now that the shopping holiday is right around the corner, we're going back through all of the best sales you might have missed over the past week and updating as prices change and new deals arrive. As with all holiday shopping, there's no guarantee that better prices won't come around later in the season, but if you want to shop early,...
Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Available Now
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2022 is no different. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro devices from AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models like the iPhone 13. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors....
Best Black Friday AirPods Deals Available Now
Although we've been tracking Black Friday deals for a few weeks now, the shopping holiday is officially kicking off this week and we're highlighting the best sales for each of Apple's product lines. In this article, you'll find the best Black Friday sales on AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors....
Walmart Reveals Black Friday Plans With Week-Long Sales Starting Today
Retailers have been waiting longer and longer to reveal their specific plans for the week of Black Friday, now that the shopping event begins as early as October and most companies focus on "early Black Friday" deals first. Today, we've finally got more information from Walmart and all the official Black Friday discounts you can expect to shop this week. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner ...
Best Buy Reveals Black Friday Plans With Sitewide Sales Available Now
Following in the footsteps of Target and Walmart, Best Buy this week detailed its plans for the Black Friday shopping holiday and its schedule looks a lot like other retailers. In terms of sales, Best Buy has the expected list of TVs, appliances, video games, computers, streaming devices, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a...
Best Black Friday Apple Watch Deals Available Now
We're tracking all of the best Apple product discounts for Black Friday this week, and the Apple Watch always makes a great gift around the holiday season, so you're guaranteed to find solid discounts right now. In this article, you'll discover the best Black Friday sales on Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these...
These U.S. States Will Let You Add Your Driver's License to Your iPhone
Tuesday November 22, 2022 1:42 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Earlier this year, Apple launched a feature allowing residents of participating U.S. states to add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age. As we wait for IDs in the Wallet app to expand to additional U.S. states, here is everything you need to know about how the feature ...