It’s impossible to update your smartwatch to the latest version of watchOS If you keep running out of space. Fortunately, there are ways to solve this problem and they’re typically not too hard to do, providing you know what to look for. Here’s a look at the reasons why your Apple Watch doesn’t have enough space for an update and how to fix the problem. 

Why Isn’t My Apple Watch Updating?

Here’s a look at the key reasons why you might be unable to update.

  • You don’t have enough space to spare. If you don’t have enough storage space free on your Apple Watch, you can’t download and install the new update.
  • The connection has failed. Has the connection between your Apple Watch and iPhone dropped? You may need to repair the connection in order to update it.
  • Your Apple Watch doesn’t support the new update. If you have an aging Apple Watch, you may not be able to download the latest watchOS.
  • The battery is too low. Your Apple Watch won’t update if the battery life is too low to do so safely. Plug it into a power source to be confident it has enough juice to complete the update.

How Do I Update My Apple Watch When It Says Not Enough Space?

If your Apple Watch doesn’t have enough space, there are some ways to correct the problem. Here’s what to do.

  • Remove any music or photos that are synced to your watch. Tap Music and Photos on your Apple Watch and remove any files from your smartwatch while updating. You can always add them back afterward.
  • Remove unnecessary apps. Apps take up room so if you delete some of them, you can free up some space. As with music and photos, it’s possible to reinstall the apps after updating.
  • Remove any podcasts or audiobooks. Look for any audiobooks or podcasts stored on your Apple Watch and remove them.
  • Unpair and update your Apple Watch. Particularly for older models, unpairing your Apple Watch and setting it up as a new one often fixes any storage space issues.

Is My Apple Watch Too Old to Update?

Not all Apple Watches support the latest version of watchOS. watchOS 8 is only supported on Apple Watch Series 3 and above so if you have an older device, you can’t update to it no matter how much free space you create on your Apple Watch. 

Remove any music or photos that are synced to your watch. Tap Music and Photos on your Apple Watch and remove any files from your smartwatch while updating. You can always add them back afterward.

Remove unnecessary apps. Apps take up room so if you delete some of them, you can free up some space. As with music and photos, it’s possible to reinstall the apps after updating.

Remove any podcasts or audiobooks. Look for any audiobooks or podcasts stored on your Apple Watch and remove them.

Unpair and update your Apple Watch. Particularly for older models, unpairing your Apple Watch and setting it up as a new one often fixes any storage space issues.

How Do I Get More Storage on My Apple Watch? 

It’s not possible to physically upgrade the storage on your Apple Watch with the only option being to buy a new one. However, there are ways to free up some space. 

On your Apple Watch, tap Settings > General > About and scroll down to see what storage space has been used and to see what number of songs, photos, and applications you have on your Apple Watch.

Remove apps, podcasts, songs, and any other files that aren’t essential to free up room on your Apple Watch. Once the update is installed, you can re-install apps or re-sync files if you want to. 

  • How do I check the storage available on my Apple Watch?
  • To check your current Apple Watch storage directly on your Watch, go to Settings > General > Usage and check for available and used storage as well as how much space is taken up by music and photos. Or, go to the Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch > General > About and view your overall capacity, what storage is available, and how much storage is being taken up by songs, photos, and applications.
  • How much storage does an Apple Watch have?
  • The internal memory depends on the Apple Watch version. The Apple Watch Series 2 and earlier shipped with 8GB of internal memory; the Series 3 GPS also had 8GB, while the Series 3 Cellular and the Series 4 had 16GB. The Apple Watch Series 5, 6, and SE have 32GB of internal memory. Some of the storage capacity is dedicated to watchOS.
  • How do you update an Apple Watch?
  • To check for updates, open the Watch app on your paired iPhone and tap My Watch > General > Software Update. If an update is ready, tap Download and Install.

To check your current Apple Watch storage directly on your Watch, go to Settings > General > Usage and check for available and used storage as well as how much space is taken up by music and photos. Or, go to the Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch > General > About and view your overall capacity, what storage is available, and how much storage is being taken up by songs, photos, and applications.

The internal memory depends on the Apple Watch version. The Apple Watch Series 2 and earlier shipped with 8GB of internal memory; the Series 3 GPS also had 8GB, while the Series 3 Cellular and the Series 4 had 16GB. The Apple Watch Series 5, 6, and SE have 32GB of internal memory. Some of the storage capacity is dedicated to watchOS.

To check for updates, open the Watch app on your paired iPhone and tap My Watch > General > Software Update. If an update is ready, tap Download and Install.

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