Apple Watch Bluetooth Not Working? Here’s Why & The Real Fix!

You want to pair your Apple Watch to a Bluetooth device, but for some reason they won’t connect. No matter what you try, you can’t seem to get your devices to connect wirelessly. In this article, I’ll show you what to do when Apple Watch Bluetooth is not working so you can fix the problem for good!

Restart Your Apple Watch

First, try restarting your Apple Watch. If a minor software glitch is the reason why Apple Watch Bluetooth is not working, turning your Apple Watch off and back on will usually fix the problem.

Press and hold the side button until the “Power Off” slider appears on the display. Swipe the power icon left to right across the slider to turn your Apple Watch off.

how to turn off apple watch

Wait about 30 seconds, then press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears on the center of the watch face. Your Apple Watch will turn back on shortly after.

Turn Bluetooth Off And Back On

Toggling Bluetooth off and back on can sometimes fix a minor connectivity glitch. Your Apple Watch will get a fresh start after Bluetooth is on again.

Open Settings on your Apple Watch and tap Bluetooth. Scroll all the way down, then tap the switch next to Bluetooth to turn it off. Wait a few seconds, then tap the switch next to Bluetooth to turn it on again.

toggle bluetooth on apple watch

Turn On Bluetooth On The Other Device

If Bluetooth is not working on your Apple Watch, you may have accidentally turned off Bluetooth on the device you’re trying to connect your Apple Watch to.

If the device you’re trying to connect to is your iPhone, open Settings and tap Bluetooth. Make sure the switch next to Bluetooth at the top of the display is turned on (green and positioned to the right).

turn on bluetooth in iphone settings app

You may also want to try toggling Bluetooth off and back on, just in case you used Control Center to disconnect from Bluetooth devices until tomorrow.

Make Sure Your Devices Are In Range Of Each Other

Another common reason why Apple Watch Bluetooth does not work is because your Apple Watch isn’t “in range” of the device you want to connect it to. The standard range of Bluetooth devices is about 30 feet, but your iPhone and Apple Watch can usually connect via Bluetooth as long as they are within 300 feet of each other.

However, if you’re connecting your Apple Watch to your iPhone or another Bluetooth device for the very first time, make sure you’re holding your devices right next to each other to ensure a clean connection.

Try Connecting Your Apple Watch To A Different Bluetooth Device

If Apple Watch Bluetooth is not working, the problem may be with your other Bluetooth device and not your Apple Watch. To see where the problem is really coming from, try connecting your Apple Watch to a different Bluetooth device.

If your Apple Watch won’t connect to any Bluetooth devices, then there’s something wrong with your Apple Watch. If your Apple Watch only isn’t pairing with one other device, then the issue is coming from your other Bluetooth device, not your Apple Watch.

Erase All Content And Settings On Your Apple Watch

Our final troubleshooting step when Apple Watch Bluetooth is not working is to erase all of its content and settings. This will give your Apple Watch a completely fresh start and hopefully fix the software problem that’s preventing it from connecting to Bluetooth devices.

Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch and tap General -> Reset -> Erase All Content and Settings. After the reset is complete, you’ll have to pair your Apple Watch to your iPhone again like you did when you first took it out of the box.

erase apple watch content and settings

Repairing Your Apple Watch

If Apple Watch Bluetooth still isn’t working, then you may be dealing with a hardware problem. It’s possible that the antenna inside your Apple Watch that connects it to Bluetooth is broken, especially if you’ve recently dropped your Apple Watch or exposed it to water. Set up an appointment at the Apple Store near you and have the Genius Bar take a look at it.

Apple Watch Bluetooth: Working Again!

Bluetooth is working again and you can finally continue to pair your Apple Watch with other wireless devices. Next time Apple Watch Bluetooth is not working, you’ll know just how to fix the problem! Leave a comment down below if you have any other questions about your Apple Watch.

About Author

David Lynch is an expert on cell phones, cell phone plans, and other tech. After using a flip phone into his early 20s, he learned the ropes about iPhones and Androids from a former Apple employee. Today, his articles and videos are read and viewed by millions, and he has been cited by major publications including Reader's Digest, Wired, CMSWire, Consumers Advocate, and more.

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Kathy
11 months ago

I have been trying for months to get my Apple Watch paired up again with my phone. Was convinced it was a hardware problem with my watch. Thought I’d give it one more shot before buying a new one. Found your article and your step by step process actually worked. Thank you!

Karen
2 years ago

I’m having same problem with my Apple Watch and my new iPhone. I’ve done all the steps is written by Apple Support. Anyone have any ideas?

Sharlene
2 years ago

My Apple Watch is not picking up Bluetooth from my iPhone?

Mark
2 years ago

I had that issue too. The red icon on the face of the Apple Watch and when I went to the bluetooth settings, the watch showed a circling like it was looking for my phone… but nothing… and on my phone, the watch wasn’t detected. I have a solution to the problem: unpair the devices. I did it like this: on the watch, go to Setting – General – Reset – Erase All Content and Settings. On the phone, open the Apple Watch app, unpair the watch. When the watch is reset, follow the instructions until the watch’s pairing screen… Read more »

Sandra
9 months ago
Reply to  Mark

Thank you! You the only one who fixed my problem

Maxine Dodds
3 years ago

My I Apple Watch just keeps circling looking for devices and will not pick up my iPhone. Can’t tell if Bluetooth is even on the watch because I can’t go any wear on Bluetooth.

Axing Dodds
3 years ago

My I Apple Watch just keeps circling looking for devices and will not pick up my iPhone. Can’t tell if Bluetooth is even on the watch because I can’t go any wear on Bluetooth.

Andrew
3 years ago

I have the same problem as Belinda?

arash
2 years ago
Reply to  Andrew

That’s the same problem I have.

Belinda Johnson
5 years ago

I dont know whats the problem with my I watch, I just noticed that the little red icon thats usually on the face of the watch wasnt there ,that was this past weekend, I checked the phone and it said something about network so I checked and clicked and the icon came back on for a bit, but not its gone again, I know I didnt drop the watch,and I always take it off when iam at work because I keep mu hands in a lot of water, unless it got a little damp when i put it back on… Read more »