Installing apps on Apple Watch is a breeze. Whenever you install an app on your iPhone, its companion watchOS app is automatically installed on the Apple Watch for a seamless experience. While I always count on this seamless app installation between iOS and watchOS, there are some rare occasions where it doesn’t work as expected. Having been in such a confusing situation quite a few times, I thought sharing some possible solutions to fix the “Can’t install apps on Apple Watch” issue would be apt considering the prevalence of the problem. So, if you are unable to download and install apps on your Apple Watch, stop wondering about what’s gone wrong as chances are pretty high that these tips can rescue you.
The app installation issue on Apple Watch is a result of more than one reason (or should I say, villains). At times, it’s the poor internet connection that comes in the way of the app installation. At other times, it is the random software glitch that tends to prevent apps from installing on the watchOS device. Therefore, we will need to look at this problem from various aspects and try out solutions accordingly.
While it’s not a solution per se, make sure you have not mistakenly hidden the app from your Apple Watch. Once hidden, the app remains invisible across the Apple Watch. So, be sure the app in question is set to show on the watch.
Head over to the Watch app on your iPhone and scroll down to the “Installed on Apple Watch” section and then tap on the app that is not available on the smartwatch. Now, make sure to turn on the switch right next to “Show App on Apple Watch”.
Install One App at a Time When Trying to Install Apple Watch Apps Manually
Especially when trying to install Apple Watch apps manually via the Watch app, make sure to install one app at a time. If you try to install multiple apps at once, the installation may get stuck in a never-ending loop. Besides, also ensure that you have a stable internet connection.
Force Restart Your Apple Watch and iPhone
If you are yet to fix the “Unable to download and install apps on Apple Watch” problem, force restart both the iPhone and Apple Watch. Hard reset is widely considered to be a go-to solution for sorting common Apple Watch and iPhone issues. So, try it out as well.
Update Your Apple Watch and iPhone
Software bugs are well-known for creating plenty of unexpected issues. And I guess they may be behind this issue as well. Fortunately, Apple keeps polishing the iOS/watchOS with frequent updates that mostly feature a ton of bug fixes and performance enhancements. So, there is a high chance that updating the software on your Apple Watch and iPhone can get the job done for you.
Head over to Settings app on your iPhone -> General -> Software Update. Now, download and install the iOS update as usual.
Open the Watch app on your iPhone -> General -> Software Update. Then, download and install the latest iteration of watchOS. Alternately, you can also launch the Settings app on your Apple Watch (running watchOS 6 or later)-> General -> Software Update and then download and install the latest watchOS update.
Last Resort: Erase Your iPhone and Apple Watch and Repair Them
If none of the solutions have worked in fixing the Apple Watch app installation issue, it’s time to erase both the iPhone and Apple Watch and reconnect them. Bear in mind that it will wipe out the entire data on your iPhone, therefore be sure to back up your iOS device using iCloud or iTunes/Finder.
- Navigate to Watch app on your iPhone -> General -> Reset -> Erase All Content and Settings. Alternately, you can launch the Settings app on your Apple Watch -> General -> Reset. And then tap on Erase All Content and Settings to delete all the data of your wearable device.
Fix Apple Watch App Installation Issues
Hopefully, the above-mentioned solutions have worked in resolving the app installation problem on your Apple watch. But before your set your sight on other stories, make sure to share the trick that has helped you in sorting out this common watchOS issue. Besides, also let us know any other reliable solution that is worth mentioning in this guide.
