How to Update a Smartwatch: Steps and Prep

Where smartwatch updates come from

A smartwatch is not a standalone computer with its own app store and broadband connection. Almost every smartwatch model on the market, from Apple Watch to Wear OS devices to Garmin and Amazfit, receives its operating system updates through a companion app installed on your phone. The phone downloads the update package and transfers it to the watch over a wireless link.

Apple Watch updates are managed through the Watch app on a paired iPhone; the Apple Watch User Guide describes the iPhone as the hub for setting up and managing the watch. Wear OS device update flows follow a similar pattern, with the companion app acting as the intermediary. Garmin and Amazfit also rely on their mobile apps for system updates.

This means the first step in updating your smartwatch is almost never on the watch itself. It is on your phone: update the companion app, check your internet connection, and then look for the software update option inside that app.

What to do before you start

A little preparation goes a long way. The most common cause of a stalled or failed update is a phone app that is out of date, a weak Wi-Fi signal, or a watch with too little battery. You can avoid all three in under two minutes.

First, update the companion app on your phone. Open your phone's app store, search for the watch's companion app, and install any pending update. The watch app version should be close to the watch's current system version for a smooth transfer.

Second, make sure the watch has enough battery. Put it on its charger before you begin. Most manufacturers expect the watch to stay on the charger during the installation phase, and a low battery can interrupt the process midway. If you cannot charge, at minimum make sure the battery is comfortably above empty; starting an update on a nearly depleted watch is risky.

Third, check your network. The phone needs a stable internet connection, ideally Wi-Fi rather than cellular, because update files are often hundreds of megabytes or more. Some watches can also connect directly to Wi-Fi, which speeds up the download and reduces the load on the phone.

Finally, keep the phone and watch close together. The update is transferred over Bluetooth, and a stable connection matters: if the phone walks out of range mid-transfer, the update can pause or fail. If you have experienced sync problems before, see our guide on fixing sync issues before starting the update.

• Update the companion app on your phone first
• Charge the watch, or at least confirm a comfortable battery level
• Connect your phone to a stable Wi-Fi network
• Keep the phone and watch within Bluetooth range
• If you have data you care about, make sure it has synced to the phone already

The usual update path, step by step

The exact menu names differ between brands, but the flow is similar across Apple Watch, Wear OS, Garmin, Amazfit, and most other platforms. Here is the general path:

• Open the companion app on your phone.
• Go to the app's settings or device management section. Look for a menu labeled "Software Update," "System Update," or "About."
• The app will check for available updates. If there is one, tap the download or install button.
• Read the release notes if you want to know what changed, then confirm. On Apple Watch, you will be asked to agree to the terms, and the watch will show a progress ring on its screen during download.
• The update transfers to the watch, then the watch prepares and installs it. During installation, the watch may restart several times. Leave it alone: do not force a reboot and do not remove it from the charger.
• When the process finishes, the watch returns to the face and you can confirm the new version in the watch's settings. On Apple Watch, go to Settings > General > About; on Wear OS, look in Settings > System.

What to do if the update gets stuck

Updates stall for a few predictable reasons. The most common is a weak or dropped network connection, either on the phone's Wi-Fi or on the Bluetooth link between the phone and the watch. The second most common is insufficient storage on the watch itself.

If the progress bar or ring has not moved for a long while, try these steps in order:

• Confirm the phone's internet connection is working by loading a page or video.
• Move the phone closer to the watch and make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both.
• Restart both the phone and the watch. This is safe and clears temporary glitches.
• Check the watch's available storage. Delete unused music, podcasts, apps, or old workouts if storage is low. The update needs room to download and unpack.
• If the update still fails, try canceling and starting over, or look for an option to "reset" the download process in the companion app.
• Check our guide on what to do when a smartwatch update fails for more detailed troubleshooting.

Automatic updates and staying current

Most modern smartwatches offer an automatic update option. When enabled, the watch checks for updates periodically and installs them in the background, usually when the watch is on its charger, has enough battery, and is connected to Wi-Fi. Apple Watch and Wear OS devices both support this behavior.

Automatic updates are convenient, but some people prefer to control the timing. There is nothing wrong with manual updates: you can delay an update for a day or two if you are in the middle of a busy work week. Just do not delay for months, because updates also carry security patches.

To check whether automatic updates are enabled on your watch, look in the companion app's settings or the watch's own system settings. Wikimedia's article on automatic smartwatch updates explains the trade-offs in more detail.

When an older watch cannot update

Every smartwatch has a support lifecycle. Apple provides watchOS updates for a defined set of Apple Watch models, and Wear OS devices receive updates for a limited number of years after release. Eventually your watch will show "up to date" even though a newer version exists for newer hardware.

If you see this, the watch has reached the end of its update road for major OS versions. Security patches may continue for a while, but you will miss new features. At that point you have a choice: keep using the watch as-is, or start looking at a newer model.

If you are considering a new watch, our Apple Watch guide and Wear OS guide can help you compare what is current. You can also read about how long smartwatches receive updates to set expectations for your next purchase.

What to do depending on your situation

Questions

Should I back up my smartwatch before updating?

It is a good habit, though updates rarely delete data. Your health and activity data syncs to the companion app on your phone, so as long as that sync is working, your data is safe. If you have not synced in a while, open the companion app and let it finish before starting the update. See our backup guide for more.

How much battery does a smartwatch need for an update?

There is no universal stated minimum, but the safest practice is to put the watch on its charger before starting. Many manufacturers either require or recommend charging during installation. Even if your watch allows an update at a lower battery, a sudden shutdown mid-install is the most common cause of a corrupted system.

Can I use my smartwatch during the update?

During the download phase, you can usually still glance at the watch, but during installation the watch will restart and show a progress screen. It is not usable during that period, which typically lasts 10 to 30 minutes depending on the watch and the update size. Plan your update for a time when you can leave the watch on its charger.

What should I do if the update is stuck on the progress screen?

Wait at least 15 minutes before doing anything, because large updates can look frozen while they are actually working. If it truly is stuck, restart both the watch and the phone, check your Wi-Fi, and make sure the watch has storage space. If the problem persists, try canceling the update and starting over. Our update failure guide has more detailed steps.

Is automatic update better than manual update?

Both work well. Automatic updates are convenient because they happen when you are not using the watch, and they ensure you get security patches quickly. Manual updates give you control over timing. The result is the same: the watch ends up on the same version. Choose automatic if you tend to forget; choose manual if you like to control when changes happen.

Why is my smartwatch not showing an available update?

Several reasons: your watch model may have reached the end of its support period, the companion app on your phone may be outdated, or the update may be rolling out in stages to users. First update the companion app, then check again. If your watch genuinely is too old, the app will usually say there are no updates. Read about how long watches stay supported for expectations.