To update your smartwatch software, open the companion app on your paired phone (Apple Watch app, Samsung Wear/Galaxy Wearable, or Garmin Connect), keep both devices on Wi-Fi and charging above ~50%, and look for a Software Update or System Update menu. The watch downloads the update through the phone, then installs it on its own charger. Most stuck updates trace back to low battery, a weak Wi-Fi/Bluetooth link, or not enough free storage — all of which are fixable with the steps below.
- Updates install through the paired phone's app, not usually on the watch itself
- Charge above 50% and stay on Wi-Fi — most stuck updates are power or connection problems
- A frozen update is almost always safe to restart; forced restarts rarely brick a modern watch
Before you start: 4 things to check
Update failures are usually preventable. Manufacturers publish similar prerequisites across brands, so run this quick checklist first.
- Battery: Charge the watch to at least 50% (Garmin recommends charging during larger updates). Keep the phone charged too.
- Wi-Fi: Connect the phone to a stable Wi-Fi network. Update files are large, and cellular can stall or time out.
- Storage: Free up space on the watch. If storage is full, clear cached music, offline maps, or unused watch faces and apps.
- Proximity: Keep the watch and phone close together with Bluetooth on throughout. If they won’t pair, see our guide on when a smartwatch won’t connect to Bluetooth.
How to update your smartwatch software, step by step
Apple Watch (watchOS)
- Put the watch on its charger within Bluetooth range of your iPhone.
- On the iPhone, open the Watch app, then tap General > Software Update. (On newer watchOS versions you can also update directly on the watch via Settings > General > Software Update.)
- Tap Download and Install and enter your passcode if asked.
- Leave the watch on the charger. A progress wheel appears; installation can take a while. If you’re setting up a device for the first time, our Apple Watch setup guide walks through the initial steps.
Samsung Galaxy Watch (Wear OS)
- Open Galaxy Wearable on your phone and go to Watch settings > Watch software update.
- Tap Download and install. You can also check on the watch under Settings > Software update.
- Keep the watch charging and near the phone until it restarts.
Garmin
- Open Garmin Connect, which pushes most updates automatically when the watch syncs.
- Larger firmware updates install on the watch itself — keep it on the charger and follow the on-screen prompts.
- For map or software updates on certain models, Garmin Express on a computer is an alternative route.
Fixing a stuck, frozen, or failed update
If the progress bar hasn’t moved in 15–20 minutes, it may genuinely be stuck rather than slow. Work through these in order.
- Wait longer than you think you should. Big updates can sit at a percentage for several minutes. Give it at least 20 minutes on the charger before intervening.
- Confirm power and Wi-Fi. Reconnect the phone to Wi-Fi, make sure the watch is charging, and move the two devices closer together.
- Restart both devices. Restart the phone, then force-restart the watch (typically holding the side/power button, or the side button plus a rotating crown, until it reboots). A forced restart during a hung update is generally safe.
- Retry the download. Reopen the companion app and start the update again. Interrupted downloads often just need a clean second attempt.
- Free up storage and remove clutter. Delete offline music, maps, or apps you don’t need, then retry.
- Toggle Bluetooth or re-pair. Turn Bluetooth off and on. As a last resort, unpair and re-pair — on Apple Watch, unpairing backs up the watch first, so your data restores afterward.
- Update the phone app itself. An outdated companion app can block installs. Update it from the App Store or Play Store.
Why updates matter (and what they change)
Firmware updates aren’t just bug fixes. They frequently improve sensor algorithms and battery behavior, patch security vulnerabilities, and occasionally add features. Because so much of a watch’s health tracking is software-driven, an update can meaningfully change how features perform — for better and, occasionally, worse. That’s worth keeping in mind if you rely on metrics like sleep stage tracking or notice a shift in battery life after installing. If a new version hurts battery, our battery-saving tips can help you claw some back while the maker ships a follow-up fix.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a smartwatch update take?
Anywhere from a few minutes to over half an hour, depending on file size, your Wi-Fi speed, and the model. The download is usually quick; the on-watch install and restart take the longest. Plan to leave it undisturbed on the charger.
Why does my watch say the update failed?
The most common causes are low battery, a dropped Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection, insufficient storage, or an outdated companion app. Address those, restart both devices, and retry — that resolves the majority of failures.
Can I use my watch while it updates?
No. During installation the watch reboots and is unavailable. Notifications, tracking, and sensors pause until it finishes and reconnects to your phone.
Do I have to update, or can I skip it?
You can delay, but you shouldn’t skip indefinitely. Updates often include security patches and sensor improvements. Deferring one version is fine; running badly outdated firmware can cause sync problems and leave known bugs unfixed.