How to fix round not starting on watch

Common Symptoms

Watch app not appearing on Apple Watch
Data not syncing between iPhone and Apple Watch
Watch app crashes or fails to load
Connection timeout errors
Watch app showing as "Waiting" or stuck installing

⚠️ Known Issue: A common cause of connection problems is when the watch app update gets stuck or blocked from installing over the previous version. This often appears as an orange indicator or different status instead of the normal "INSTALL" button in the Watch app on your iPhone.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Check for Stuck Updates

Open the Watch app on your iPhone and navigate to My Watch > Available Apps. Look for apps that show:

An orange indicator instead of "INSTALL"
A spinning wheel that doesn't progress
Any unusual status messages

If you see any of these indicators, the update is likely stuck and needs to be cleared.

Force Close and Restart Watch App

On your iPhone:

Double-tap the home button (or swipe up from bottom on newer iPhones)
Swipe up on the Watch app to close it
Reopen the Watch app and check if the issue persists

Remove and Reinstall Watch App

In the Watch app on your iPhone:

Go to My Watch > Installed on Apple Watch
Find your app and toggle it OFF
Wait 30 seconds, then toggle it back ON
Allow the app to reinstall completely

Restart Both Devices

Restart your iPhone first:

Hold power button and volume button until slider appears
Slide to power off, wait 30 seconds, then restart

Then restart your Apple Watch:

Hold the side button until you see the power slider
Slide to power off, wait 30 seconds, then restart

Check Watch Storage

Low storage can prevent app installation:

Open Watch app → General > About
Check "Available" storage
If low, remove unused apps or music

Update iOS and watchOS

Ensure both devices are running the latest software:

iPhone: Settings → General → Software Update
Apple Watch: Watch app → General → Software Update

Note: Apple Watch must be on charger and iPhone nearby to update watchOS.

Advanced Troubleshooting

🔄 Reset Network Settings

Go to iPhone Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings. This will clear WiFi passwords but may resolve connectivity issues.

📱 Check App Permissions

Ensure the main iPhone app has all necessary permissions (Location, Health, etc.) as these are often required for the watch app to function properly.

🔗 Verify Watch Pairing

In Watch app, check that your watch shows as "Connected" at the top. If not, you may need to re-pair your devices.

⚡ Check Power Levels

Both devices should have sufficient battery. Low battery can cause installation failures and connectivity issues.

Prevention Tips

Keep both iPhone and Apple Watch updated to the latest software versions
Regularly restart both devices (weekly recommended)
Monitor available storage on both devices
Update apps promptly when new versions are available
Avoid installing/updating apps when battery is low

✅ Still Having Issues? If these steps don't resolve the problem, the issue may be app-specific. Please conact us to help you further.