To update your Apple Watch, open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch > General > Software Update, and tap Download and Install if an update is available. You can also do it on the watch in Settings > General > Software Update. To see which watchOS version you have now, go to Settings > General > About on the watch.
This guide covers watchOS 27 and earlier versions. It explains which watches can get the latest update, what to check first, both ways to update, how to check your version, and what to do when an update won’t start or there isn’t enough storage. The steps come from Apple’s Update your Apple Watch article and Apple Watch User Guide, checked in October 2026.
Can Your Apple Watch Get the Latest Update?
Apple says watchOS 27 works with these models:
- Apple Watch SE 3
- Apple Watch Series 9 and later
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later
Your iPhone matters too. Apple says updating to watchOS 27 requires an iPhone 11 or later, or iPhone SE (2nd generation) or later, running iOS 27. Not every watchOS 27 feature is available on every model.
If your watch can’t run the newest version, it isn’t stuck. Apple notes that Software Update shows the newest version your watch can use, so you can still install the latest updates for your model.
What to Check Before You Update
Apple lists four things to check first. Skipping them is the most common reason an update won’t start:
- Update your iPhone first. Your iPhone should be on the latest version of iOS. If you want this to happen on its own, see how to turn on automatic iOS updates.
- Charge the watch. It needs to be at least 50 percent charged.
- Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi. The update downloads over Wi-Fi.
- Keep the two devices close. Leave your iPhone near the watch the whole time.
Plan for some time. Apple says an update can take from several minutes to an hour, so you might want to start it before bed.
How to Update Apple Watch From Your iPhone
- Put your Apple Watch on its charger and keep it near your iPhone. Result: the watch has power for the whole update.
- On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app and tap the My Watch tab. Result: your watch settings appear.
- Tap General, then tap Software Update. Result: the app checks for an update.
- If an update shows, tap Download and Install. Enter your iPhone or Apple Watch passcode if asked. Result: the download starts.
- Wait for the progress wheel to appear on your watch. Result: the watch is installing the update.
- Leave the watch on its charger until it’s done. Result: the watch restarts on its own when the update is complete.
Apple says not to restart your iPhone or Apple Watch during the update, and not to quit the Apple Watch app.
Use Update Tonight
You don’t always have to start an update yourself. When a new update is ready, your watch may show a notification. Tap Update Tonight, then confirm on your iPhone. Leave both devices charging overnight and the update installs while you sleep.
How to Update Apple Watch on the Watch
You can install updates without your iPhone if the watch is on Wi-Fi.
- Make sure your watch is connected to Wi-Fi and on its charger. Result: it can download the update by itself.
- Open the Settings app on the watch. Result: the Settings list opens.
- Tap General, then tap Software Update. Result: the watch checks for an update.
- Tap Install if an update is available, then follow the onscreen instructions. Result: the update downloads and installs.
Keep the watch on its charger and don’t restart it. It restarts on its own when the update finishes.
How to Check Which watchOS Version You Have
- Open Settings on your Apple Watch. Result: the Settings list opens.
- Tap General > About. Result: details about your watch appear.
- Look for the version number. Result: you see which watchOS you have, such as 26.x or 27.x.
On your iPhone, you can find the same details in the Apple Watch app under My Watch > General > About. The About screen also shows your watch’s model name, which helps when checking whether it can get watchOS 27. The serial number is listed there too, and our guide on how to find your Apple Watch serial number covers the other places to look.
When Your iPhone Says Your Watch Is Out of Date
Some iOS updates require a watchOS update too. If your iPhone shows an alert that says “Update Apple Watch” and “Your Apple Watch software is out of date,” Apple recommends updating watchOS so your data, including Activity data, keeps syncing to your iPhone.
If Your Apple Watch Won’t Update
Apple suggests working through these steps in order:
- Make sure the watch is connecting properly to its charger. Result: the charging icon shows on the watch.
- Restart your Apple Watch. Our guide on how to turn off an Apple Watch shows how. Result: the watch starts fresh.
- Restart your paired iPhone. Result: the Apple Watch app reconnects.
- Try the update again. Result: it starts, or you move on to the next fix.
If the update still won’t start, delete the downloaded update file and try again. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap General, tap Storage, then delete the update file. Then go back to Software Update.
If There Isn’t Enough Storage
Apple’s storage article says to restart the watch first and try again. If that doesn’t work, free up space by removing music, turning off photo syncing, and removing some apps. You can add them back after the update. To see how much space you have, open Settings > General > Storage on the watch. To clear out songs, see how to limit or remove music on Apple Watch.
If you still can’t update, Apple’s last resort is to unpair the watch in the Apple Watch app, set it up as new, install the update, and then unpair and set it up again, this time choosing to restore from the backup. Keep both devices close the whole time. On GPS + Cellular models, choose to keep your cellular plan when you unpair.
If You Installed a Beta
Apple says you must remove beta profiles before you can update to the next major version. In the Apple Watch app, go to My Watch > General > Profiles, tap the beta profile and tap Delete Profile. On the iPhone, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management and delete the beta profile there too. Restart both devices and check for the update again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t my Apple Watch update?
The usual causes are a watch below 50 percent charge, an iPhone not on Wi-Fi or not on the latest iOS, the devices being too far apart, or not enough storage on the watch. Work through the checks above.
How long does an update take?
Apple says it can take from several minutes to an hour. Many people use Update Tonight so it happens overnight while both devices charge.
Can I update my Apple Watch without my iPhone?
Yes. If the watch is on Wi-Fi, open Settings > General > Software Update on the watch and tap Install.
Can I use my watch during the update?
No. Leave it on the charger until it restarts on its own.
Related Guides
- How to download and manage apps on Apple Watch
- What the icons on Apple Watch mean
- How to manage your Apple Watch passcode
- How to limit or remove music on Apple Watch
Once your watch is up to date, you can also use it to get into your phone. Here’s how to unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch when you’re wearing a mask or sunglasses.
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are tested on current devices or checked against official product documentation, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.
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