How to Fix: Unable to Communicate With Apple Watch

Published 2 years ago / updated 2 months ago - 5 min read

Apple’s relatively newer product - the Apple Watch, became an immediate hit once it got released. The smartwatch offers amazing features, such as wireless communication, iOS integrations, fitness tracking, along with other apps.

The Apple Watch was created to work immaculately with other Apple products, such as the iPhone, in order to get the best experience.

Once the Apple Watch gets connected to your iPhone, you’ll be able to keep track of everything that is going on on your iPhone right on your wrist.

However, Apple Watch users are complaining about their iPhones being ‘Unable to communicate with Apple Watch’, as the error states.

Reportedly, this error happens when users are unable to unlock their iPhone 13 from the Apple Watch, and some have even stated that the Apple Watch disappeared from the ‘Find My’ app, and can’t be added back.

If you, too, are struggling with these issues, look no more. Keep reading below to find all the possible fixes to these issues.

You might also like: How to Find Your Apple Watch Serial Number and How To: Apple Watch Change Time Zone.

How do I fix ‘Unable to Communicate With Apple Watch’?

Check out all the possible fixing solutions listed below:

Solution 1: Check the prerequisites for unlocking the iPhone while wearing the Apple Watch

In order for the Apple Watch to function properly, you need to:

For the Apple Watch to unlock the iPhone, you need to have an Apple Watch Series 3, and the iPhone needs to run on iOS 14.5 or later.
The Apple Watch needs to be running on watchOS 7.4 or later.
Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi must be enabled for both devices to be in sync.
Check if wrist detection is enabled on the Apple Watch, and have the watch unlocked.

Note: Check for available software updates if any of the devices are running on older software.

Solution 2: Re-enable Unlock with Apple Watch on your iPhone

Since many users reported having trouble unlocking the iPhone when using the Apple Watch, even if the iPhone is running on iOS 15, disabling and re-enabling the feature might help resolve the error message.

Open the ‘Settings’ app on your iPhone, and go to ‘Face ID & Passcode’.
Enter the passcode of your iPhone, and under ‘Unlock with Apple Watch’, toggle the switch to turn it off, and toggle it back on after.

Solution 3: Restart both devices

If you’re unable to unlock your iPhone/iPad using your Apple Watch, it might be time for the good, old restarting technique.

In case there was any interference with the connection, restarting the devices can help resolve it.

Restarting iPhone:

Press and quickly release the volume up button, and quickly press and release the volume down button.
Press and hold the side button until the screen turns black, and the Apple logo shows up on the screen.

Restarting Apple Watch:

Press and hold the side button and the Digital Crown at the same time, for about 8-10s.
Wait until the Apple logo shows up on the screen.

Reconnect the devices, and check if the issue has been resolved.

Solution 4: Unpair the Apple Watch and pair it again with the iPhone

Similar to restarting the devices, unpairing them and pairing them again might resolve any technical glitch.

Follow these steps:

Bring the devices close to each other, and open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
Under ‘My Watch’, tap on the ‘All Watches’ option.
Click on the ‘i’ icon, and tap on ‘Unpair Apple Watch’.

You might be asked to confirm you want to unpair the devices by entering your Apple ID and password.

Solution 5: Reset Face ID on iPhone

Follow these steps to reset Face ID on your iPhone:

Open the ‘Settings’ app on your iPhone, and go to ‘Face ID & Passcode’.
Tap on ‘Reset Face ID’.

Note: You can also add an alternative Face ID, which might be more helpful with the unlocking issue you’re having.

Conclusion

We included the most common fixes available currently for the ‘Unable to communicate with Apple Watch’ error.

We hope this article helped you resolve your problem.

If you liked this article, check out: How to Fix: Apple Watch Walkie Talkie Can't Add Contacts.