Performance problems in smart devices are usually due to memory issues like when the memory space is running low. Software bugs, bad apps, faulty updates and in worst case scenarios, hardware damage are among the underlying causes. This post is aimed at addressing slow performance problem on the Apple Watch 4. Read on to find out how to fix an Apple Watch 4 that’s working very slow.
Before moving on, if you have issues with your smartwatch and are trying to find a solution for it, visit our Apple Watch 4 troubleshooting page for we have already addressed some of the most common issues with this device. Find issues that are similar to yours and feel free to use our solutions. If you need more help, fill up our questionnaire so we can help you.
Fixing Apple Watch 4 that’s working very slow
The following solutions are used to eliminate software-related factors that might have slowed down your Apple Watch 4. Before you proceed, check your Apple Watch storage and make sure it isn’t running low. Note that performance issues in smart devices are usually tied to a shrinking memory space. If your watch storage is less than a gigabyte, then you have to delete all unused apps and contents to free up space in order to speed it up and to improve overall performance.
If the problem started after installing a new app, modifying system settings, or updating your Apple Watch software, then any of these outlined solutions will be able to fix it.
First solution: Restart your Apple Watch (soft reset or force restart).
If your watch was working perfectly fine and suddenly it’s slowing down, it’s likely just due to some minor firmware issues like data corruption and system crashes. The simplest yet very effective solution to minor firmware crashes that slowed down your Apple Watch 4 is a soft reset or forced restart. A soft reset is applicable if your watch display is still responsive. Here’s how to soft reset or restart an Apple Watch 4 that’s working very slow.
- Press and hold the Side button for a few seconds until the Power Off slider appears.
- Drag the Power Off slider to turn off the watch.
- After 30 seconds, press and hold the Side button on your watch and then release it when the Apple logo appears.
If your Apple Watch is performing very slow to the point of becoming frozen, performing a forced restart would be necessary. Just follow these steps to force restart a frozen Apple Watch 4:
- Press and hold both the Side button and Digital Crown on your watch for about 10 seconds.
- Then release the buttons when the Apple logo shows up on the watch display.
Allow your watch to finish its bootup sequence and it should be working smoothly by then.
Second solution: Turn off animations on your Apple Watch 4.
Screen animations are indeed cool. However, using them more often could get the watch process exhausted and when that happens, the watch would slow down. If you think animations aren’t that necessary, then you can just turn if off on your watch. Doing so will give instant breather to the watch processor. To turn off animations on your Apple Watch 4, simply follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your Watch 4.
- Tap General.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Toggle to turn Reduce Motion switch on. Doing so disables your Apple Watch display animations at once.
After activating Reduce Motion, restart your Apple Watch to refresh its memory and operating system. Then use it as you normally do to test and see if its performance has improved without activating screen animations.
ALSO READ: How to fix Apple Watch 4 battery draining issue, watch battery drains so quickly
Third solution: Update apps and watchOS to the latest version available.
Installing updates for apps and watchOS on your Apple Watch 4 can also be the key to resolving the problem if software bugs and malwares are to blame. Updates usually entrenched fix patches that are programmed to eliminate detrimental files and corrupted data that adversely affect overall performance of your watch. With that said, it is highly recommended to keep your apps and device software up to date. To update apps on your Apple Watch, simply follow these steps:
- Go to your iPhone and open the Apple Watch app.
- Tap the My Watch tab.
- Tap General.
- Turn Automatic App Install option on.
Using this setting on your iPhone will allow any updates to apps on your iPhone or any future app purchases to automatically install.
To update your Apple Watch OS, connect your watch to its charger. While it’s connected, follow these steps to start installing the latest watchOS version available for your Apple Watch 4:
- Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
- Tap the My Watch tab.
- Tap General.
- Tap Software Update.
- Download the watchOS update, if available.
- Enter your iPhone passcode or Apple Watch passcode, if prompted to proceed.
- Then wait for the progress wheel to show up on your Apple Watch display.
After installing updates, reboot your Apple Watch to apply the recent software changes and likewise to refresh its memory. Your watch should be performing better and faster afterwards.
ALSO READ: How to fix an Apple Watch 4 that won’t update, Apple WatchOS update error
Fourth solution: Delete rogue and unused apps from your Apple Watch.
As mentioned earlier, bad apps can also be the main trigger. With that said, you can delete any suspected apps especially if the problem started after installing a new app. Deleting unused apps is also another option if the problem is tied to insufficient memory on the watch. If you wish to delete third-party apps that are no longer used from your Apple Watch, you can do so through your iPhone. Here’s how it’s done:
- Go to your iPhone and open the Apple Watch app.
- Tap the My Watch tab to continue.
- Scroll down to the app that you want to delete. You can view all installed apps from the Installed tab from the Apple Watch section.
- To remove the app, tap on it and then turn off the option to Show App on Apple Watch.
Do the same to delete other bad apps from your watch. And once you’re done deleting unwanted apps, give your watch another restart to clear its memory caches and to refresh its operating system.
ALSO READ: How to fix Apple Watch 4 Bluetooth pairing problems, can’t pair with Bluetooth accessory
Fifth solution: Erase your Apple Watch and set it up as new.
The underlying cause of the problem could be very complex that your Apple Watch 4 still ended up working very slow after applying the previous solutions. To deal with complex system issues like this, performing a factory reset is usually needed. This will erase all data from your Apple Watch including stubborn malwares and fatal system errors that slowed down your Apple Watch’s performance. For safekeeping, back up all important data from your watch to iCloud before you do the reset. Then proceed to these steps whenever you’re all set to erase your watch:
- On your Apple Watch, tap Settings.
- Select General.
- Tap Reset.
- Tap the option to Erase All Content and Settings.
- If prompted, choose to keep or remove your cellular plan.
- Then tap Erase All to confirm that you want to erase the watch.
The reset process will then instigate. After the reset, your Apple Watch is restored to its factory default settings. By then you can set your Apple Watch 4 up as new.
Is your Apple Watch 4 still working very slow?
If your Apple Watch 4 is still performing sluggishly after exhausting all the suggested procedures, then this is the point when you should consider ruling out hardware damage. Slow performance issues that aren’t remedied by the initial procedures are usually attributed to a damaged component. If that’s the case, then your Apple Watch 4 needs service. You can set up a service appointment at an Apple-authorized service center in your place so that a technician can examine your watch.
For more advanced solution and official recommendations, you can give Apple Support a call and escalate the problem on your Apple Watch 4. This is typically important especially if the problem started after installing a new update to watchOS.
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