Troubleshooting Things on Apple Watch

If you have trouble with Things on your Apple Watch, here are some things you can try.

Before proceeding, make sure that your issue isn’t just a misunderstanding about how the app works.

For example, to update the complications on your watch face, you have to open Things on Apple Watch. This change came with watchOS 10, which required us to drop more frequent complication updates. At this time, updating the complications without opening the app on Apple Watch is not possible.

1. Check your versions

Some issues may crop up if you don’t keep your software up-to-date, so the first thing you should do is check your versions. Here’s how.

Also check on the App Store if there is an update available for Things for iPhone, or Things for Apple Watch.

If everything is up-to-date but you still have a problem, proceed with some basic troubleshooting.

2. Perform basic troubleshooting

These steps should help with the most common issues on your Apple Watch:

• Restart your iPhone and Apple Watch.
• Ensure both devices are on the same WiFi network.
• Try connecting to a different WiFi network.
• Disconnect from WiFi and use your mobile network.
• When connecting Things on your Apple Watch to Things Cloud for the first time, keep devices close together until the initial sync is done.
• If Apple Watch complications are outdated, check if Low Power Mode is on.
• If using multiple Apple Watches, enable Auto Switch or manually select the active watch. Learn more.

If this basic troubleshooting doesn’t help, proceed with advanced troubleshooting.

3. Perform advanced troubleshooting

These are also the recommended steps if you’re trying to connect your Apple Watch to Things Cloud for the first time and it keeps getting stuck; or if your complications are empty or not available when you try to set them up.

1. Make sure that your to-dos are backed up:
   1. On your iPhone, open Things.
   2. Go to Settings → Things Cloud.
   3. Make sure that Things Cloud is turned on so you have an off-device backup.
2. Reinstall Things:
   
   It’s essential to follow these steps exactly in this order without skipping anything. If you deviate from the instructions, the problem will persist.
   1. On your iPhone, delete Things.
   2. Power down your iPhone and your watch.
   3. Power both devices up again.
   4. Install Things on your Apple Watch through the Apple Watch App Store.
   5. On your iPhone, open Things and log back in to Things Cloud to download your to-dos.
   6. On your Apple Watch, open Things and tap Connect to bring your to-dos over.

None of these steps helped?

If you’ve run through all the troubleshooting steps above, and you’re sure that your issue isn’t just a misunderstanding about how the app works, then reach out to our support team. Be sure to fill out details about your hardware and software versions so we can help you quickly.