Apple isn’t serious about Series 3 updates…

[Sebosz]

What the heck? Two months ago I was frustrated by the fact that I couldn’t do anything to update my Series 3 Watch. I had to erease everything and then it finally updated. Since then it spent all this time on the charger. I didn’t restore the backup, didn’t set anything up, it was just erased and updated because I knew new watchOS was coming and that I’d have to do that again.
Imagine how furious I am right now when I found out that, once again, I can’t update my watch because it doesn’t have enough space! What? How?! I’m seriously done with this thing. And at this point I’m not sure if erasing will help anymore.

 

[max2]

Weird maybe I am lucky.

I did not have to do that this time. Sorry.

 

[Sebosz]

Weird maybe I am lucky.

I did not have to do that this time. Sorry.

Do you have GPS model? As far as I know gps+cellular models have more storage

 

[max2]

Do you have GPS model? As far as I know gps+cellular models have more storage

I don't think so. Mine just has Wifi no cellular does that help ?

 

[shakopeemn]

What the heck? Two months ago I was frustrated by the fact that I couldn’t do anything to update my Series 3 Watch. I had to erease everything and then it finally updated. Since then it spent all this time on the charger. I didn’t restore the backup, didn’t set anything up, it was just erased and updated because I knew new watchOS was coming and that I’d have to do that again.
Imagine how furious I am right now when I found out that, once again, I can’t update my watch because it doesn’t have enough space! What? How?! I’m seriously done with this thing. And at this point I’m not sure if erasing will help anymore.

You were so ready!

The simplest way to update is to use the iwatch app on your phone and unpair the phone. When you go to pair it up again, it should update to the latest firmware.

It doesn't necessarily make sense, but it works.

 

[RRC]

Same situation with my S3 watch… if it keeps on I’ll not bother and it can sit in a drawer, I barely use it for much more than a Watch anyway.

 

[portland_bill]

Appalling for a company whose slogan is ‘it just works’

 

[jskaemkss]

What the heck? Two months ago I was frustrated by the fact that I couldn’t do anything to update my Series 3 Watch. I had to erease everything and then it finally updated. Since then it spent all this time on the charger. I didn’t restore the backup, didn’t set anything up, it was just erased and updated because I knew new watchOS was coming and that I’d have to do that again.
Imagine how furious I am right now when I found out that, once again, I can’t update my watch because it doesn’t have enough space! What? How?! I’m seriously done with this thing. And at this point I’m not sure if erasing will help anymore. View attachment 1764468 View attachment 1764469
View attachment 1764472

I have had the same issue with every watch update. I have tried removing everything and that still does not work have to factory reset it and by the time I do that it’s powe is depleted enough that I have to charge it again before updating. Even small suplemental updates I have to do this then the pain of reconfiguring everything include Apple pay. It really is disappointing they have not made this simpler for us to update

 

[sixtydashone]

I can't believe they continue to sell the Series 3 while this issue continues to go unfixed. And it's been an issue for a long, long time.

 

[max2]

Why did it work for me without issues then ? I am confused.

 

[Ram65]

apple wants you to upgrade from series 3

 

[NoBoMac]

Ran into same issues with my 3. Spent a good part of the afternoon getting it to load.

My Usage numbers match pretty close to OP's, with more apps (4 vs 0) but only 2.2MB for Photos. 1.3GB being used.

What messed me up on one attempt was that Music had the "Automatically Add" option turned on after a wipe. Filled up the watch with songs while trying to download the update (and yes, not seeing that with OP's screenshot).

And even once that was fixed, still got a couple of not-enough-space messages.

Last couple minor updates went smoothly, was hoping not to jump through the wipe & load steps again.

 

[max2]

Ran into same issues with my 3. Spent a good part of the afternoon getting it to load.

My Usage numbers match pretty close to OP's, with more apps (4 vs 0) but only 2.2MB for Photos. 1.3GB being used.

What messed me up on one attempt was that Music had the "Automatically Add" option turned on after a wipe. Filled up the watch with songs while trying to download the update (and yes, not seeing that with OP's screenshot).

And even once that was fixed, still got a couple of not-enough-space messages.

Last couple minor updates went smoothly, was hoping not to jump through the wipe & load steps again.

That is so weird.

Why did I not have any problems ?

 

[Runs For Fun]

I’m really surprised they’re still selling the S3 and haven’t fixed this issue yet. I finally gave up and got a S6.

 

[EricNau]

I'm still using my S3 from Sept 2017, and I am continually SHOCKED that Apple still thinks it's fit for sale.

I have the 12GB cellular model, so I haven't run into this issue specifically. Nonetheless, I have to erase & reinstall so frequently I don't even bother arranging icons, changing settings, or installing apps anymore. ?‍♂️

 

[Kevincjz]

Yup I just had to rest mine to factory before attempting to update this morning...

 

[Howard2k]

It’s crazy. I contemplated a Series 3 just recently as my first Apple Watch. But thankfully I heard about some of the pain from the storage.

It should not be on sale. I really hope Apple is simply burning through old stock and not still producing these.

 

[Roadster Lewis]

I am also getting this on mine - which is why I joined the forum.

Even after unpairing it still took a bit of fiddling around to get it to update - it has just clicked as updated, 4 hours after I started. Now I have to try and restore my backup...

I don't think I will be closing my stand ring today!

 

[Icehawk]

Was just coming look to see if anyone else was having this problem again. I did the whole unpair thing and it’s still not enough. Frustrating. I guess I’ll try again tonight.

what’s even more annoying to me is I have to find and disable Siri data sources every time I do this. The backup don’t store that. Otherwise I’ll get stocks and stuff showing up on the Siri face.

 

[Seamaster]

I’m currently going through this hassle for the last time. No more Apple Watches for me, if this is how Apple intends to support them.

 

[wim.v]

Like someone said before in this thread, Unpairing the watch clears up space.

 

[Icehawk]

Check music, y’all. Unpairing turned back on adding recent music to my watch, taking up 2 gigs. Hopefully turning that off let’s me update….

 

[Seamaster]

Like someone said before in this thread, Unpairing the watch clears up space.

Yes, we now have to unpair our Watches every time we update. No thanks.

 

[Roadster Lewis]

6.5 hours to update and I still need to pair my heart rate monitor and add cards to Apple Wallet.

 

[jiffry1017]

Does unpairing the watch = resetting and erasing it?

also is there a faster way to download the update to the watch? Mine says it’s like about 15 hours remaining.