Trying to install apps on your Apple Watch Series 7 but nothing’s downloading? Whether you’re seeing a stuck progress bar or the install just won’t start, don’t worry — it’s usually a simple fix. Here are all the things to check (and how to fix them) when your Apple Watch can’t download apps.
1. Restart Your Apple Watch
First thing’s first — try a quick reboot. It clears out minor bugs and refreshes system processes.
How to restart:
- Press and hold the Side Button until the Power Off slider appears.
- Drag the slider to turn off the watch.
- Once it’s off, press and hold the Side Button again until the Apple logo appears.
Once it boots back up, check if apps will download normally.
2. Toggle Airplane Mode On and Off
If the issue is related to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, toggling Airplane Mode can help reset your connections.
How to do it:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the watch face to open Control Center.
- Tap the Airplane icon to turn it on.
- Wait a few seconds, then tap it again to turn it off.
Once reconnected, try downloading an app again.
3. Check Available Storage
Your Apple Watch Series 7 has 32GB of internal storage, but if it’s close to full, app downloads might fail.
To check storage:
- On your Apple Watch, go to Settings > General > Usage.
If space is tight, delete unused apps, photos, or music to free up room.
4. Forget and Reconnect to Wi-Fi
A corrupt Wi-Fi connection can block app downloads.
How to forget a Wi-Fi network:
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi on your Apple Watch.
- Tap your connected network, then choose Forget This Network.
- Restart your watch, then reconnect to Wi-Fi.
5. Try Installing Apps Through Your iPhone
If the Watch App Store isn’t working, you can install compatible apps from your iPhone:
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Tap the My Watch tab.
- Scroll down to the app you want and tap Install if it appears.
6. Check for watchOS Updates
App downloads can fail if your Apple Watch is running outdated software.
To check for updates:
- On your iPhone, go to Watch > General > Software Update.
- Install any available updates and restart your watch after updating.
7. Enable Automatic Downloads
If you’re trying to install apps you’ve already downloaded on your iPhone, make sure automatic downloads are turned on.
To enable:
- Open the Watch app on iPhone.
- Go to General.
- Toggle Automatic App Install ON.
8. Confirm App Compatibility
Not all iPhone apps have Apple Watch versions. If you’re trying to install an app that doesn’t support watchOS, it simply won’t show up.
Also make sure you’re not running a beta iOS or watchOS version that might cause compatibility issues.
9. Reset Network Settings (iPhone)
Sometimes, your iPhone’s network settings can interfere with Watch downloads.
To reset:
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your passcode and confirm.
⚠️ This will erase saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords.
10. Last Resort: Unpair and Reset Apple Watch
If nothing works, reset your Apple Watch to factory settings. This erases everything, but often fixes stubborn software glitches.
How to reset:
- On iPhone, open the Watch app.
- Go to General > Reset > Erase Apple Watch Content and Settings.
- After the reset, set up your Apple Watch as new — and try installing apps again.