Fix iOS 16 Apple Watch Mirroring Not Working On iPhone
To get going, digging into the possible culprits could make the job a lot easier. So, get it out of the way first up.
Why is Apple Watch Mirroring Not Working?
Going by the complaints, the issue seems to be a byproduct of a software bug. However, I would not solely blame a possible software glitch. Things like device compatibility and wrong configuration could also be very much in the play. Therefore, you should first ensure that you have taken care of all the prerequisites. Once that’s done, you should try a soft reset to resolve any occasional glitch that tends to sneak in once in a while. If all else fails to do the job, you can look for ways to fix the bug.
Ensure That Your Apple Watch is Compatible With Apple Watch Mirroring
First things first, make sure your Apple is compatible with Apple Watch Mirroring. Don’t get me wrong! The reason why I recommend you tick off this requirement is that only the latest models support this notable Accessibility feature. Here is the list of supported Apple Watch models:
Apple Watch Series 6 Apple Watch Series 7 Apple Watch Series 8 Apple Watch SE 2 Apple Watch Ultra
Note that Apple Watch Mirroring requires watchOS 9 or later. So, make sure you have installed the supported watchOS version.
Make Sure Your iPhone is Compatible
Another very important thing that you should check off without fail is that only the latest iPhone models support Apple Watch Mirroring. Yeah, you got that right! If you were hoping that your old yet capable iPhone would let you control the Apple Watch, you would be deeply disappointed to know that Apple has locked this feature to newer models just like the Precision Finding, the background removal tool, and the Continuity Camera Webcam. Here is the list of supported iPhone models:
iPhone 8iPhone 8 PlusiPhone XiPhone XRiPhone XSiPhone XS MaxiPhone 11iPhone 11 ProiPhone 11 Pro MaxiPhone 12iPhone 12 miniiPhone 12 ProiPhone 12 Pro MaxiPhone SE 1 (2020)iPhone 13iPhone 13 miniiPhone 13 ProiPhone 13 Pro MaxiPhone SE 2 (2022) iPhone 14iPhone 14 PlusiPhone 14 ProiPhone 14 Pro Max
Keep in mind that your iPhone must be running iOS 16 or later to be able to control the Apple Watch. Therefore, ensure that your device has the required version of iOS installed.
Turn OFF/ON Apple Watch Mirroring
Probably the easiest way to fix the Apple Watch Mirroring not working problem is to turn it off/on. Considering how simple and effective it is, you should try it out.
On your iPhone, go to the Settings app -> Accessibility -> Under the Physical and Motor section, tap on Apple Watch Mirroring and then turn off the toggle. Now, restart both your Apple Watch and the paired iPhone. Once your iPhone has rebooted, go back to the Accessibility setting and then turn on the toggle for Apple Watch Mirroring. Then after, try using the Apple Watch Mirroring to figure out if you have overcome the issue.
Hard Reset Your iPhone and Apple Watch
If the first solution has not resolved the “Can’t control Apple Watch with iPhone’ issue, you should try the hard reset aka force reset. Don’t be surprised, it has an enviable record of resolving annoyances. Thus, it deserves a chance.
Hard Reset Your iPhone: Press and quickly release the volume up button. After that, press and quickly release the volume down button. Then, be sure to hold down the side button until the Apple logo shows up on the screen. Hard Reset Your Apple Watch: Press and hold the Digital Crown and the side button until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
After your devices have rebooted, try to use the Apple Watch Mirroring to check if it has started to work normally.
Update Software On your iPhone and Apple Watch
If Apple Watch Mirroring is still ill-functioning or not working as expected, there is a high chance that a software bug could be behind the problem. In this situation, the software update is the best way to go after all it’s well-known for resolving bugs.
On your iPhone: Head over to the Settings app -> General -> Software Update. Then, download and install the latest iteration of iOS as usual.
To update your Apple Watch: Navigate to the Watch app on your iPhone -> General -> Software Update. After that, download and install the latest iteration of watchOS on your device. Alternately, head into the Settings app on your Apple Watch -> General -> Software Update and then do the needful.
Erase Your Apple Watch and Re-Pair It with the iPhone
Yet to troubleshoot the Apple Watch Mirroring problem? Fret not! Now, we will completely erase the Apple Watch and re-pair it with the iPhone. Since watchOS is designed to automatically create a backup during the unpairing process, there is no need to bother about losing any media or data.
On your iPhone, launch the Watch app -> General -> Reset -> Erase All Content and Settings and confirm. Once the Apple Watch has been erased, open the Watch app and then re-pair it with your iPhone.
Fixed iOS 16 Apple Watch Mirroring Not Working Issue
That’s pretty much it! Hopefully, Apple Watch Mirroring has started to work properly. Which one of the above-mentioned tips have helped you bring this noted Accessibility feature back on track? Is it the hard reset or software update that has enabled you to put the issue behind you? It would be great to have your feedback via the comments section below. Read more: How to Enable Adaptive Transparency Mode on AirPods Pro 1 & 2
