4 Common WatchOS Problems and Solutions

Here we have collected the most common problems of the WatchOS. Also, the corresponding yet effective solutions will also be shared in this article.

Author Avatar Joy Taylor Last Updated: Dec. 30, 2021

WatchOS 6, introduced at the WWDC 2019, is the newest version of the Apple Watch operating system. Similar to its predecessors, WatchOS 6 offers new features, which include new watch faces, new health features, updated apps, and more importantly, a dedicated App Store.

WatchOS Problems and Solutions

WatchOS Problems and Solutions

Whenever any new update is available to download, the main concern that users have in their mind is “should I update to WatchOS 6”. Isn’t, it right? In this post, you will get to know whether it’s worth to try a new WatchOS 6. Also, if you’ve already installed a new update, and facing problems on your watch, then we’ve also listed several solutions to fix these problems with ease.

Part 1: Common WatchOS 6 Problems and Solutions

If you’ve already installed WatchOS 6 on your Apple Watch, then you could face problems with your watch. Following are common WatchOS 6 problems you could encounter and we have also provided recommended solutions to resolve the problem you’re facing.

1. WatchOS 6 not working

If you’ve updated WatchOS 6 to try all new features available, then you need to first know that Apple mentions in the release note that some features aren’t working in the beta version. Thus, if something Apple introduced at WWDC 2019 isn’t available, then there is no need to worry.

The following are some common workarounds you can try to fix the “WatchOS 6 not working” problem without much hassle.

Possible Solutions:

  • Restart your Apple watch. To do so, press and hold down the side button until the Power-off slider shows up>drag the slider> In a while, press and hold down the side button until the Apple logo shows up.
  • If your Apple Watch isn’t responding at all or becomes unresponsive, then it’s time to force restart your watch. To do so, press and hold down the Side button and Digital Crown until the Apple logo shows up on the screen.
  • If any app isn’t working on your Watch after the new update, then you can try to force-quit an app and re-launch it again. Else, you can uninstall the app and see now if your watch is working as usual like before.

2. WatchOS 6 notifications not working

Well, Apple Watch comes in handy when you would like to check your important notifications. By default, you get notifications on your iDevice, but you can also check them on your watch that is paired with your iDevice.

Some users reported the “notifications not working” problem after updating their watch to the new WatchOS 6. The good news is that there are possible solutions you can try to come out of this specific “WatchOS 6 notifications not working” problem on your Apple Watch.

Possible Solutions:

  • Make sure that your Apple Watch is connected with your iDevice properly.
  • Make sure that the internet connection on your iPhone is active.
  • Ensure that the “Do Not Disturb” mode is disabled on your Apple Watch.

You can enable the “Cover to Mute” option on your iPhone. To do so, click the “My Watch>” Find Cover to Mute” option that should be under the “Sounds and Haptics” section. Once turning it off, you will begin receiving notifications on your watch. Now, you can enable the option.

You can also turn off wrist detection. To do so, open “Apple Watch>” My Watch”>” Click on Passcode”>” Click on “Turn off Wrist Detection Option” on your paired iPhone.

3. WatchOS 6 battery life problems

It’s often the situation that after updating to the new version of the WatchOS, some users experience battery-related problems. That’s quite common. Following are some tips you can follow to come out of battery life problems.

Possible Solutions:

  • You should wait for a while as the new update requires system processes to operate. So, you should wait for a day before you worry about battery life.
    You can reboot your Apple Watch.
  • Another thing you can try is to un-pair and re-pair your watch.
  • If nothing helps to fix your problem, then you should contact Apple.

4. WatchOS 6 connectivity problems

Even though Apple Watch is quite robust and powerful when it comes to keeping connections, there’s still possible that you may end up running into a case when your Apple Watch isn’t detecting your iPhone or its cellular network. Following are all possible workarounds you can try to fix WatchOS 6 connectivity problems.

Possible Solutions:

  • Ensure that Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone as well as Apple Watch.
  • You can try to turn on/off Airplane mode on your paired iPhone.
  • Reboot your Apple Watch.
  • Restart your iPhone.

You can also reset your iPhone’s network settings. To do so, click “Settings”>” General”>” Reset”>” Reset Network Settings”.

Part 2: Should I Update to WatchOS 6

The new features that WatchOS 6 brings along with it seem like it’s worth giving a shot to a new version of WatchOS. Moreover, the WatchOS 6 beta is also available to download and install on the Apple Watch. However, the thing is that even though betas come with new features, they also include pre-release bugs that can affect the performance and normal use of your Apple Watch, and paired a device. So, the following are the reasons you should not install the WatchOS 6 beta.

  • Don’t install as there is no downgrade (because no public WatchOS 6 beta is released yet)
  • Don’t install if you don’t want to face problems with your watch.
  • Don’t install if you don’t have any spare Apple Watch.
  • Don’t install it if your Apple Watch is so old.

So, the following are the reasons you should install the WatchOS 6 beta.

  • Install the WatchOS 6 to try new features.
  • Install the WatchOS 6 if you’re using the latest model of the Apple Watch.

The Bottom Line

That’s all on the common WatchOS 6 problems you could experience after the WatchOS 6 beta update on your Apple Watch. As you can’t downgrade the update and thus, it’s recommended that you shouldn’t install WatchOS 6 beta unless you have a big reason to do so.

Author Avatar
Joy Taylor Twitter Share Facebook Share

Member of iMobie team as well as an Apple fan, love to help more users solve various types of iOS & Android related issues.

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