When will we see the update to use multiple Apple watches?

[Eric5964]

i bought a second AW...now have stainless and a sport. I was under the impression that the update to grab and go with multiple watches was coming? Anyone have any idea when we can expect that for general release?

Thank you
EricE

 

[MacCubed]

i bought a second AW...now have stainless and a sport. I was under the impression that the update to grab and go with multiple watches was coming? Anyone have any idea when we can expect that for general release?

Thank you
EricE

It's coming in iOS 9.3 and Watch OS 2.2(I think that's the version) should be in the next few weeks!

OH-!

 

[lagwagon]

Roughly around March 15th

 

[Brookzy]

Looking forward to this update, and I'm intrigued how the update will roll out. Because to update watchOS, your Watch must be paired with a phone. So if you have two Watches, which you currently alternate say every month or so, will you have to go through the rigmarole of pairing a Watch, updating it, and then wiping it again, and then repairing it?

 

[matrix07]

Next month. Might be at the same time as the Apple Event.

When it come I may consider buying Sport version for just a fitness.

 

[SilentDoom]

Looking forward to this update, and I'm intrigued how the update will roll out. Because to update watchOS, your Watch must be paired with a phone. So if you have two Watches, which you currently alternate say every month or so, will you have to go through the rigmarole of pairing a Watch, updating it, and then wiping it again, and then repairing it?

I don't think so. Right now you just unpair and pair with the new one. I will assume you will update the one that's connected, then be able to pair with your other one and update. Good question though; we will see I guess!

 

[Brookzy]

I don't think so. Right now you just unpair and pair with the new one. I will assume you will update the one that's connected, then be able to pair with your other one and update. Good question though; we will see I guess!

That would be the ideal situation, but would be a technical challenge: the iPhone would have to update the Watch to the latest version without the Watch being in a paired state. While the iPhone could cope with that, the Watch, running older software, would not normally communicate with the phone until paired.

 

[Mac 128]

That would be the ideal situation, but would be a technical challenge: the iPhone would have to update the Watch to the latest version without the Watch being in a paired state. While the iPhone could cope with that, the Watch, running older software, would not normally communicate with the phone until paired.

There are threads on here where this has been demonstrated using the beta developer installs. You pair multiple watches once and then easily switch between them, just like pairing multiple blue tooth devices to a single phone. Not sure what you're getting at with older software on the watch. You will have to update everything to the latest software.

 

[Brookzy]

You will have to update everything to the latest software.

Indeed. But what I'm thinking is:

You can't update a Watch without it being paired.

And you can't pair more than one Watch without the Watch already being updated.

Thus, if you have one iPhone and two Watches, as I do, you will have to:

1. Update the currently-paired Watch
2. Unpair it
3. Pair your second watch
4. Update your second watch
5. Re-pair the original

 

[Mac 128]

Indeed. But what I'm thinking is:

You can't update a Watch without it being paired.

And you can't pair more than one Watch without the Watch already being updated.

Thus, if you have one iPhone and two Watches, as I do, you will have to:

1. Update the currently-paired Watch
2. Unpair it
3. Pair your second watch
4. Update your second watch
5. Re-pair the original

Oh I see. You may not need to unpair the first watch after you pair it. You may be able to pair the 2nd watch and update it without unpairing the first watch. You may not be able to switch between the two if you don't update the second watch, in other words, you'll always have to pair the second watch again after you switch to the first watch with the updated software -- you won't be able to just switch back without re-pairing the second watch since it won't have the updated software that understands what's happening.

Regardless, it's a one time thing, since the goal is to update all of your watches to use this feature.

 

[Brookzy]

Oh I see. You may not need to unpair the first watch after you pair it. You may be able to pair the 2nd watch and update it without unpairing the first watch. You may not be able to switch between the two if you don't update the second watch, in other words, you'll always have to pair the second watch again after you switch to the first watch with the updated software -- you won't be able to just switch back without re-pairing the second watch since it won't have the updated software that understands what's happening.

Regardless, it's a one time thing, since the goal is to update all of your watches to use this feature.

That sounds like a solution. As things are though, iOS 9.3 doesn't let you pair a second Watch unless both Watches are running watchOS 2.2 beta already.

 

[BarracksSi]

There's a reason why the pairing process makes you view the new watch through the iPhone's camera.

 

[hovscorpion12]

Looking forward to this update, and I'm intrigued how the update will roll out. Because to update watchOS, your Watch must be paired with a phone. So if you have two Watches, which you currently alternate say every month or so, will you have to go through the rigmarole of pairing a Watch, updating it, and then wiping it again, and then repairing it?

Not really. I have the 9.3 public beta. When iOS 9.3 & WatchOS 2.2 launches, update one watch to OS 2.2. Turn off that watch, then pair the second watch and update that watch to OS 2.2. There is an auto switch toggle (either on or off) that will understand which watch is now paired.

 

[hovscorpion12]

That would be the ideal situation, but would be a technical challenge: the iPhone would have to update the Watch to the latest version without the Watch being in a paired state. While the iPhone could cope with that, the Watch, running older software, would not normally communicate with the phone until paired.

I have the 9.3 beta with Watch OS 2.2.

Update first watch to OS 2.2. Turn it off. Pair second watch, update to 2.2. You now have two watches paired to an iPhone. Your iPhone will auto switch to whichever watch you turn on and connect.

 

[hovscorpion12]

It will look like this

 

[Mac 128]

There's a reason why the pairing process makes you view the new watch through the iPhone's camera.

Except it doesn't. You can also pair the Watch manually without using the viewfinder on the camera. But curious to know why you think it does.

 

[Brookzy]

I have the 9.3 beta with Watch OS 2.2.

Update first watch to OS 2.2. Turn it off. Pair second watch, update to 2.2. You now have two watches paired to an iPhone. Your iPhone will auto switch to whichever watch you turn on and connect.

Ah, so turning it off is enough? Good news! Thanks for sharing.

Have you actually tried it with two Watches?

 

[hovscorpion12]

Ah, so turning it off is enough? Good news! Thanks for sharing. Have you actually tried it with two Watches?

Essentially when your watch disconnects. Initially Turn off, Airplane mode..etc are first steps in having two watches paired. Once both watches are paired and running OS 2.2 We have the option for auto-switch between. Both watches can be on. To switch, take off the watch you don't want to wear and put on the watch you do want to wear and it will connect. Similar to now, if you remove your watch it will ask you for your pass code. I don't have two watches, just the one running OS 2.2. I do plan on having a second watch (Sports model for exercise only) after 9.3/WatchOS 2.2 officially launches.

 

[BarracksSi]

Except it doesn't. You can also pair the Watch manually without using the viewfinder on the camera. But curious to know why you think it does.

Each time I've done it, the iPhone app goes, "Place your Watch in the camera viewfinder."

 

[Mac 128]

Each time I've done it, the iPhone app goes, "Place your Watch in the camera viewfinder."

Much like Touch ID, it is a convenience not a requirement. Curious what purpose you thought it served.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204505

 

[BarracksSi]

Much like Touch ID, it is a convenience not a requirement. Curious what purpose you thought it served.

I thought it helped ensure the iPhone would be paired with the specific watch on hand.

When the OP asked how multiple pairings would be done, I thought, "Well, duh…"