How to Fix the 5 Most Frustrating (But Common) Apple Watch Problems

Apple Watch Display Won't Turn on When You Raise Your Wrist

If your Apple Watch isn't showing the time when you raise your wrist, or if the Always On Display isn't working right, there are a few fixes you can try. First, make sure your Apple Watch doesn't have Theatre or Sleep Mode activated. Even if you did it by mistake, if you turned any of these modes on, your Apple Watch won't give you the time.

Both Theatre Mode and Sleep Mode are pretty self-explanatory, but both modes work similarly. When either is turned on, your Apple Watch's screen will turn off, and you'll only be able to see the time by pressing the Digital Crown or by tapping the display.

To make sure neither mode is turned on, on your Apple Watch, slide up to reveal the Control Center. Make sure the Sleep Mode and Theater Mode icons are turned off.

Another reason your Apple Watch isn't showing the time could be that the Wake on Wrist Raise option is turned off. By default, it should be on, but it's best if you make sure you didn't turn it off by accident. 

Turn Wake on Wrist Raise on iPhone:

1. On your iPhone, open the Watch app.
2. Tap on General.
3. Select Wake Screen.
4. Make sure Wake on Wrist Raise is turned on.

Turn Wake on Wrist Raise on Apple Watch:

1. On your Apple Watch, press the Digital Crown.
2. Tap on the Settings icon.
3. Select General.
4. Tap on Wake Screen.
5. Turn on Wake on Wrist Raise if necessary.

Apple Watch Can't Make Calls

You can use your Apple Watch to call people without taking out your iPhone. With the help of Siri, you can call anyone in your contacts and talk to them right from your wrist! But sometimes that feature won't work properly, so you'll need to fix it for yourself.

The first step is to make sure both your Apple Watch and iPhone don't need any software updates. If one isn't updated, it's possible that your Apple Watch won't be able to make phone calls.

If that doesn't work, try restarting your Apple Watch by doing the following:

1. Press and hold the side button.
2. Slide Power off to the right.
3. Once your Apple Watch is turned off, press and hold the side button again until you see the Apple logo.

If all that doesn't work, you can try erasing your Apple Watch. Keep in mind, though, this will delete everything on your Apple Watch, and you'll need to pair it again to your iPhone like a new device. Here's how to do it.

Erase your Apple Watch from your iPhone.

1. Go to the Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Tap General.
3. Scroll to the bottom and select Reset.
4. Tap on Erase Apple Watch Content and Settings.
5. Confirm that you want to erase your Apple Watch. You may need to enter your Apple ID Password.

Erase content and settings from your Apple Watch.

1. Tap on the Digital Crown.
2. Select the Settings icon.
3. Tap on General.
4. Scroll all the way down and tap on Reset.
5. Tap on Erase Apple Watch Content and Settings and confirm that you want to erase your Apple Watch.

Afterward, pair up your Apple Watch again, and update the watchOS software if necessary.

Apple Watch Is Running Slow

We've already discussed what to do if your Apple Watch is slower than usual, but here are some general tips to fix this issue.

You can try to delete content on your Apple Watch, including music, apps, and pictures. All that content might make your Apple Watch run slow, especially if it's an older model.

You can also try restarting your Apple Watch. Turn it off and back on again to see if that helps. Also, make sure you have the latest software – Apple might have fixed performance issues with an update you haven't installed.

If everything else fails, you can try erasing your Apple Watch and pairing it up again, as we previously mentioned. Again, this will delete all your content and settings, so make sure to use this option as a last-ditch effort.

Fitness Tracking on my Apple Watch Isn't Working

One of the Apple Watch's main features is how it can track your workouts and daily activity to help you measure your progress over time. Sadly, that doesn't always work as intended. If Fitness Tracking Isn't working, make sure it's turned on. Here's what you need to do.

1. On your iPhone, open the Watch app.
2. Scroll down and select Privacy.
3. Make sure Fitness Tracking is turned on.

If Fitness Tracking is enabled, but your Apple Watch still is not working, you can reset Fitness Calibration. This will help you recalibrate Fitness Tracking on your Apple Watch, but it'll get rid of your calibration history, and you'll receive less accurate workouts at first.

To reset it, follow the same steps and tap on Reset Fitness Calibration right below Fitness Tracking.

Apple Watch Isn't Connecting to iPhone

This is probably the most common issue people face. Sometimes your Apple Watch won't connect to your iPhone for no apparent reason.

First, you'll need to check the obvious. Make sure your iPhone's Bluetooth is turned on by going to the Control Center and tapping on the Bluetooth icon. If it is turned on, try turning it off and back on to see if that fixes the issue.

You can also try to update your Apple Watch or your iPhone. Make sure both devices have the latest software updates available. If one's updated but not the other, it's possible that they won't connect or that you won't have all the Apple Watch features available.

If that didn't do the trick, try restarting both your Apple Watch and your iPhone. When it's turned back on, your Apple Watch should connect automatically.

Another option is to try to unpair your Apple Watch and pair it again. Here's how:

1. On your iPhone, open the Watch app.
2. Tap on All Watches located on the top left corner.
3. Tap on the info button to the right of the Apple Watch.
4. Select Unpair Apple Watch.
5. If you have a GPS + Cellular model, you'll need to choose to keep your cellular plan.
6. Confirm that you want to unpair your Apple Watch and enter your Apple ID password if needed.
7. Pair your Apple Watch again.

Finally, if nothing worked, you can try erasing your Apple Watch like we previously mentioned.