Your Apple Watch comes with a set of pre-installed apps, and you can add more if you wish to use third-party applications with more features and functionalities.
So if you’ve already unboxed, paired, and setup your Apple Watch, this guide shows you exactly how to install more apps on top of what you already have.
How to Add Apps to Your Apple Watch
There are three ways to download apps to your Apple Watch. You can use the Watch app on your iPhone, enable automatic app install, or use the App Store pre-built into the watch.
Install Apps from iPhone
First, ensure your iPhone and Apple Watch devices are in range and connected to each other via Bluetooth. Then:
- Open Watch app on your iPhone.
- Scroll to Available Apps under My Watch tab.
- Tap the “Install” button on the right side of an app to add the watchOS version to your Apple Watch.
Activate Automatic App Install
Enable this feature if you would like to add a watchOS version of an app to your Apple Watch whenever you download it to your iPhone.
- Open Watch app on your iPhone.
- Select the General option under My Watch.
- Toggle Automatic App Install on.
Once enabled, any app you install on your iPhone will automatically appear on your Apple Watch if there’s a watchOS version for it.
Download from App Store on Your Apple Watch
With watchOS 10 or later, you can get apps directly from the App Store on Apple Watch, as long as you have the watch connected to Wi-Fi.
- Press the Digital Crown.
- Look for and tap the App Store icon.
- Search for an app you’d like to download.
- Tap Get.
- Double click the Side Button to install the app.
- Enter your Apple ID password (if prompted) to confirm installation.
Which Apps Should I Install on My Apple Watch?
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of Apple Watch apps listed on the App Store. Some are free, some are paid, and some are free with in-app purchases. The apps you choose to download depends on your needs, your budget, and the features you’re looking for.
Whether you want listen to music, monitor your sleep, browse the internet, check news, stay up to date with the current weather, or anything in between, there’s an app for you.
Can I Rearrange Apps on the Watch?
Yes, you can organize Apple Watch apps so they appear exactly where you want them.
Press the Digital Crown and long press the apps screen until the apps wiggle. Drag an app to a new position and then press the Digital Crown one more time.
Alternatively, and this is especially useful if you have bigger fingers, open Watch app on your iPhone, tap App View, and then tap Arrangement. Hold down an app and move it around to any position you want.
Why Can’t I Add Apps to My Apple Watch?
Incompatibility, poor internet connection, insufficient storage, and a system glitch are the most common reasons why Apple Watch apps won’t install on your device.
To fix these issues:
- Restart your Wi-Fi network: Disconnect your Apple Watch from Wi-Fi, restart your router, and reconnect the watch back to Wi-Fi.
- Free up space: Delete all the files you no longer need, including music, audiobooks, podcasts, photos, and apps.
- Restart your devices: In the event of a system glitch, which causes apps to fail to install no matter how many times you try, restarting your Apple Watch and iPhone should fix the problem.
Why Can’t I See an iPhone App on My Apple Watch?
You can’t see an app added to your iPhone on your Apple Watch because you have enabled the option to show that app on the watch.
To fix this:
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Choose Notifications under My Watch.
- Select the app you can’t see on your Apple Watch.
- Toggle the Show on Apple Watch option.
How Do I Remove an App I Don’t Need on My Apple Watch?
You can delete Apple Watch apps that you don’t need or hardly use to free up space and speed up the performance of your watch. Remove any app via the Watch app on your iPhone or directly from the watch itself.
Additionally, you should disable Automatic App Install so that a watchOS version of an app doesn’t add to your Apple Watch when you install that specific app on your iPhone.
