How to update your Apple Watch OS

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Apple Watch update screen.
Jason Cipriani/CNET

Software updates are always vital, but perhaps none are more important than the first updates for a brand-new product.

Apple on Tuesday released the first such update for the Apple Watch, bringing the OS version to 1.0.1.

The update added various improvements and bug fixes, while also seemingly having sped up third-party apps.

The update process for your Apple Watch is simple, but somewhat time-consuming. Here’s how you can update your watch and make the process as smooth as possible. Be sure to set aside 20 to 30 minutes for the entire process just to be safe.

A few requirements to keep in mind before you begin the update process are:

  • Your phone needs to remain close to the watch during installation.
  • Your watch battery needs to be at 50 percent charge or above.
  • You need to place your watch on the charger during installation.

If you don’t have access to a charging cable, you can still download the update to your phone to speed up installation later.

On your iPhone

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Apple Watch app on an iPhone 6, updating the software on an Apple Watch.
Screenshot by Jason Cipriani/CNET

  • Open the Apple Watch app and tap on General.
  • Select Software Update from the list. It should be the second option.

If your app doesn’t find the update right away, instead displaying a screen stating the Watch OS version 1.0 is current, back out and select Software Update again. However, if it shows Watch OS 1.0.1 is current, your watch is already running the latest software.

Once the update is found, tap on Download and Install and follow the prompts.

As previously stated, you can download the update to your phone should you not have access to a cable right away. Then when you do have access, simply go back to this screen and tap on the Install button.

After the update is downloaded, place your watch on the charger and let the iPhone and Apple Watch do its magic.

From the time I approved the installation until it was finished was roughly 15 minutes. Most of that time the watch displayed the Apple logo, with a lined progress circle filling up on the screen. It rebooted a couple of times, with the progress indicator resting each time.