The fastest way to get apps on your Apple Watch
Most apps reach your Apple Watch through the Watch app on your iPhone — not directly on the watch itself. When you install an app on your iPhone, the Watch app usually offers a toggle to install its companion app on your watch at the same time. If that toggle is not there, the app does not have a watch version. You can also search the Watch app's App Store section to find and install watch apps directly.
The process takes a few minutes and requires your iPhone and watch to be on the same Wi-Fi network or paired over Bluetooth. Your watch needs watchOS 6 or later, and your iPhone needs iOS 13 or later — both of these are several years old, so unless you have an unusually old device, you already have them.
Key Takeaways
- Most watch apps install through the Watch app on your iPhone, not on the watch itself.
- When you install an app on your iPhone, check the Watch app settings to toggle the watch version on or off.
- You can search for watch-only apps directly in the Watch app's App Store without needing them on your iPhone first.
- Your iPhone and watch must be paired and on the same network for apps to install, and the process usually takes a few minutes.
- If an app has no watch version, the toggle will not appear in the Watch app — not all iPhone apps have companion watch apps.
Installing an app that you already have on your iPhone
Open the Watch app on your iPhone. Tap the App Store tab at the bottom of the screen. Scroll down to find the app you want, or use the search icon at the top to type its name. When you find it, tap Get, then confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password.
The app will begin downloading to your watch. You do not need to do anything on the watch itself — the installation happens in the background. Depending on the app size and your network speed, this can take anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. You can close the Watch app and use your iPhone normally while the installation runs.
Once the app finishes installing, it will appear on your watch's home screen. If you do not see it right away, restart your watch by holding the side button until the power-off slider appears, then slide to power off. Wait a few seconds, then hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears.
Turning off a watch app that came with an iPhone app
If you installed an app on your iPhone and its watch version installed automatically, you can remove it from your watch without removing it from your iPhone. Open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap App Store. Search for the app by name. When you find it, you will see a toggle next to it — if the toggle is green, the watch version is installed.
Tap the green toggle to turn it off. The watch version will uninstall from your watch, but the iPhone version stays. This is useful if an app's watch version drains your battery or you simply do not use it. You can turn it back on the same way if you change your mind later.
Installing watch-only apps from the App Store
Some apps exist only for Apple Watch and do not have an iPhone version. To find these, open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap App Store. Use the search icon at the top and type what you are looking for — for example, "fitness" or "weather". Scroll through the results to find apps marked as watch-only.
Tap the app name to read its description and see screenshots. If you want it, tap Get and confirm with your Face ID, Touch ID, or Apple ID password. The app will install to your watch in the background, just like an app that came from your iPhone. Watch-only apps are often smaller and faster than full iPhone apps, so they tend to install within a minute.
What to do if an app will not install
Make sure your iPhone and Apple Watch are paired and on the same Wi-Fi network or connected over Bluetooth. If they are not talking to each other, the installation will stall. On your iPhone, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and check that your watch is listed and shows "Connected". If it is not, unpair and re-pair them by opening the Watch app, tapping the My Watch tab, selecting your watch at the top, and tapping the info icon.
If your watch is connected but the app still will not install, restart both devices. Hold the side button on your watch until the power-off slider appears, slide to power off, wait ten seconds, then hold the side button again until the Apple logo shows. On your iPhone, hold the side button (or top and bottom buttons on older models) until the power-off slider appears, slide to power off, wait ten seconds, then power it back on. Try installing the app again.
If the app still fails, check that you have enough storage on your watch. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap General, then About. Look at the "Available" number — if it is less than 50 MB, your watch is too full. Delete apps you do not use by opening the Watch app, tapping App Store, finding the app, and tapping the toggle to turn it off.
Managing storage and removing apps
Apple Watch storage fills up faster than iPhone storage because the watch has much less space to begin with. If you notice your watch is running slowly or apps are not installing, check how much room you have left. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap General, then About. The "Available" number shows free space.
To free up space, remove apps you do not use. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap App Store, search for the app, and tap the toggle next to it to turn it off. You can also remove apps directly from your watch: press and hold an app icon on the home screen until a menu appears, then tap Remove App and confirm. Removing an app from your watch does not remove it from your iPhone.
Updating apps on your Apple Watch
Apps on your watch update automatically when your watch is charging and connected to Wi-Fi. You do not need to do anything — the updates happen in the background overnight. If you want to check for updates manually, open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap App Store, then scroll to the bottom and tap Updates. If any apps have new versions available, they will be listed there. Tap Update All to update everything at once, or tap the individual update button next to a single app.
Updates usually take a few minutes depending on the app size and your network speed. Your watch does not need to be in use while updating — you can wear it normally or set it aside. Once an update finishes, the new version is ready to use immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install apps directly on my Apple Watch without using my iPhone?
No. All app installations go through the Watch app on your iPhone, even for watch-only apps. Your iPhone and watch must be paired and connected for any installation to work. You cannot browse or install apps using only the watch.
What happens if I delete an app from my iPhone — does it disappear from my watch too?
Not automatically. If you delete an app from your iPhone, its watch version stays on your watch until you remove it separately using the Watch app. Open the Watch app, tap App Store, find the app, and toggle it off to remove the watch version.
Why does an app I want not have a watch version?
Not every iPhone app has a companion watch app. Developers choose whether to build a watch version based on what the app does. Apps that need a large screen or lots of typing often skip the watch. You can still use the iPhone version on your phone — the watch version is optional, not required.
How much storage do watch apps take up?
It varies widely. Simple apps like timers or reminders take a few megabytes, while fitness or music apps can take 50 MB or more. Your watch typically has between 8 and 16 GB of total storage depending on the model, but the system uses most of it. You usually have 2 to 4 GB available for apps and data.
Can I use my Apple Watch without installing any third-party apps?
Yes. Your watch comes with built-in apps like Fitness, Weather, Reminders, and Messages that work without installing anything extra. You only install additional apps if you want specific features or services that the built-in apps do not provide.