According to Apple support, if certain steps aren’t taken prior to updating, the Apple Watch may become stuck on verifying. These include ensuring that the device is fully charged and that the connection to the host iPhone is secure. Otherwise, retrying the update will fix an Apple Watch that is stuck verifying.
First and foremost: Make sure your Apple Watch is ready for an update before proceeding. These steps may seem self-evident, but they’re worth mentioning:
- Make sure your iPhone is running the most recent version of iOS.
- Just to be safe, restart both devices.
- Make sure the Apple Watch is at least 50% charged before connecting it to the charger.
- Make sure your iPhone is connected to the internet through Wi-Fi.
- Finally, to ensure a stable connection, keep the Apple Watch close to the iPhone.
First and primarily, make sure you meet all of Apple’s requirements. This includes updating the paired iPhone to the most recent version of iOS, ensuring the Apple Watch is fully charged, enabling Wi-Fi on the iPhone, and ensuring the iPhone and Apple Watch are next to each other. If you’ve tried everything else and the Verifying message persists, an Apple expert suggests closing the Watch app, reopening it, and trying the update again. Swiping up from the bottom of the screen on an iPhone X or newer, holding for a second to access the multitasking page, and then swiping up on the Watch app will close the app.
Other Apple Watch Strategies for Getting Past the Verification Screen
Another option is to download the update directly from your Apple Watch rather than using the iPhone app. On the Apple Watch, go to the app page, tap Settings, then ‘General,’ then ‘Software Update.’ The same ‘Verifying’ message will appear at first, but after placing the Watch on the charger, it should begin downloading all of the necessary files and complete the update in a matter of minutes.
Last but not least, the iPhone and Apple Watch may require a fresh start. Turning a device off and on again is often the simplest way to fix a device that’s acting up, and this rule applies in the case of Apple Watch updates stuck on the Verifying screen. Hold down the side button on the Apple Watch until the power menu appears, then drag the ‘Power Off’ toggle all the way to the right. Hold down the Siri button and the volume down buttons at the same time on an iPhone, wait for the power menu to appear, and then drag the ‘Slide to Power Off’ toggle to the right. Allow 30 seconds for both devices to be turned off before turning them back on.
How to Update Your Apple Watch Without Using Your iPhone
You can also upgrade your Apple Watch directly from the Watch if it’s running watchOS 6 or higher. So go ahead and give it a shot and see how it goes. Here’s how to upgrade your Apple Watch without using the Apple Watch app or your paired iPhone:
Go to the page for the Apple Watch app.
- Make a selection of options.
- Select General.
- Select Software Update from the menu.
The Verifying notification will appear. - At this point, remember to keep it charged.
- The necessary updates and files will be downloaded shortly.
- That’s everything you need to know about how to fix the Apple Watch update that won’t finish verifying.
Allow a few more minutes to pass.
After attempting to update my own Apple Watch, I got the idea for this article. The process was a little slow, and there were a few snags along the way.
Allow your Apple Watch to rest for a few minutes, even if it appears to be stuck on Verifying. It took a few minutes for my Apple Watch to finish verifying its update.
Look into Apple’s Servers
To download the most recent watchOS update, your iPhone must connect to Apple’s servers. Those servers will occasionally crash and prevent you from doing so. Check Apple’s website to make sure their servers are up and running.
Turn off the Watch App.
The Watch app will occasionally crash while trying to download, prepare, or verify the latest watchOS update. Closing the Watch app can sometimes resolve the issue.
You’ll need to open your iPhone’s app switcher first. Double-press the Home button on an iPhone 8 or older. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to the centre of the screen on an iPhone X or newer.
Swipe the Watch app up and off the top of the screen once the app switcher is open.
Conclusion
Restart your Apple Watch at the same time as your iPhone. This may help you resolve a minor software issue with your Apple Watch.
Hold the side button down until you see the Power Off slider appear. Then swipe the power icon across the screen from left to right.
