How to Fix Watch App Not Working on iPhone in iOS 17

By Dave Johnson - Executive Editor
4 Min Read

If the Apple Watch app is not working on your iPhone after iOS 17 update, here’s how to fix it in a jiffy!.

You can use the Apple Watch app on your iPhone to customize watch faces, adjust settings and notifications, configure the Dock, install apps, and more. However, even though it’s developed by Apple, the Watch app isn’t immune to issues. Sometimes the Watch app keeps stubbornly crashing so you can’t use the app to customize watch faces, download apps, adjust settings and notifications, and more.

Let’s take a look at what you can do if you find Apple Watch app not working on your iPhone after iOS 17 update.

8 Ways to Fix Apple Watch App Not Working on iPhone in iOS 17

1. Check Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connections

Since wireless connections are often the main reason why the Apple Watch app isn’t working on iPhone, checking your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections is smart. communication. If you are trying to install apps from the iPhone paired to the Watch, the connection between the devices is often the cause of the trouble.

First, reset the connections on the Watch by turning on, and then turning off, Airplane Mode. Then, on the iPhone paired with the Watch, ensure that the phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the Watch. Head over to Settings > Bluetooth and make sure the Watch is connected. If not, connect to the same Wi-Fi network and connect via Bluetooth.

2. Close And Reopen The Watch App on Your iPhone

One of the common reasons why Watch app won’t work on your iPhone in iOS 17 is because of minor software glitch within the app. If the Watch App keeps crashing after iOS 17 update, closing and reopening the app will allow it to “shut down” and start again, which will possibly fix the software glitch preventing it from working properly.

To close the Watch app, double-press the Home button. If your iPhone doesn’t have a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to the center of the screen.

This reveals the App Switcher, which shows all the apps currently running on your iPhone. Now swipe up on the Watch app to close it. You’ll know the Watch app is closed when you no longer see it in the App Switcher.

3. restart The Apple Watch

If the Watch app is still not working on your iPhone, restarting your Apple Watch may fix the problem you are experiencing!

Press and hold the Apple Watch’s side button, located below the Digital Crown, until you see three choices. Swipe the POWER OFF toggle. The Apple Watch will turn off when the animation disappears.

To turn the Apple Watch back on again, press and hold the Apple Watch’s side button. Release the side button when the Apple logo appears on the screen.

Once the watch has restarted, open the Watch app on your iPhone and check if it’s working properly.

4. Turn Your iPhone Off And Back On

If the Watch app keeps crashing or can’t open the Watch app on your iPhone, you should try giving your phone a fresh start by turning it off and back on again. Restarting the iPhone often irons out any random bugs or issues the software may have. For instance, if the software of your iPhone crashed in the background, it may have caused the Watch app to malfunction. Restart your iPhone and see if the Watch app is back up and running.

To turn off iPhones with a Home button, press and hold the power button until the red power icon and slide to power off shows up on the screen of your iPhone. If your iPhone doesn’t have Home button, press and hold the side button and either volume button at the same time until you see slide to power off appears on the screen of your iPhone.

Next, drag the red power icon from left to right to shut down your iPhone. Wait about 20 seconds before turning your iPhone back on to give it a chance to shut down completely.

5. Update Your iPhone

Running slightly older versions of iOS is usually not a problem, but you can encounter problems from time to time. Updating your iPhone can sometimes fix software bugs, especially if Watch update is included with the iOS update. Start the Settings app on your iPhone and go into General > Software Update. Tap Download and Install or Install Now if an iOS update is available.

6. Unpair and Re-pair The Watch

If nothing else has worked, it’s time to remove the connection between the iPhone and Apple Watch completely. Unpair the Watch and iPhone, and then re-pair them and try again.

Here’s how to unpair your Apple Watch:

  1. Start the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap All Watches (or My Watch) at the top of the screen.
  3. Tap the Info (i) icon next to your watch.
  4. Tap Unpair Apple Watch and follow onscreen instructions.

Now, ensure your Watch is turned on. Open Watch app on iPhone > select Start Pairing and follow onscreen instructions.

7. Delete & Reinstall Watch App

Deleting and reinstalling the Watch app on your iPhone can fix a deeper software problem within the app. Press and hold on the Watch icon until the menu appears. Tap Remove App > Delete App > Delete.

Open the Apple Store and search for Watch after deleting the app. Tap the Redownload button next to Watch. It’ll look like a cloud with an arrow pointing down.

8. Contact Apple Support

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting tips above and Watch app still isn’t working on your iPhone, go ahead and reach out to Apple support. You can get support over the phone or via online live chat. Check out how to contact Apple Support right here!

Fixed Watch App Not Working on iPhone after iOS 17 update Issue

You’ve fixed the problem with the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and you can now use it to customize watch faces, adjust settings and notifications, configure the Dock, install apps, and more. Make sure your friends and family know what to do when Apple Watch app won’t work on their iPhones running iOS 17 by sharing this article on social media. If you have any other questions about your iPhone, drop a comment and let us know.

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By Dave Johnson Executive Editor
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Dave Johnson is the editor-in-chief at GeeksChalk where he oversees all of site’s evergreen content to ensure it’s up to date with the latest information. Hailing from New Jersey in the US, he has over seven years of experience in the tech journalism space and holds a degree in English Literature. In his spare time, Dave can found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, and petting every dog he comes across in the outside world.
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