Misconfigurations in Apple Watch’s internal software or settings are usually to blame when the Apple logo refuses to leave the screen. Possible causes include a mismatched time zone and problems with the connection modules.
When the watch freezes on the logo, it does one of two things: either stays on the logo forever or turns off after a short while. Almost every Apple watch model has experienced this issue at some point.
The iconic Apple logo – a minimalist silhouette of an apple with a bite taken out – is a globally recognized symbol for innovation and cutting-edge technology. However, seeing this logo persistently displayed on your Apple Watch, without any further progress, can be a source of concern for many users.
Let’s explore what it means when your Apple Watch is stuck on the Apple logo, its potential causes, and the myriad of solutions available to fix it.
What is the Apple Logo?
The Apple logo serves as the boot-up screen for all Apple devices, indicating that the device is turning on and initializing its software. In a properly functioning state, this logo should only appear momentarily before the device completes its startup sequence.
Why Might the Apple Watch Get Stuck on the Apple Logo?
Common Causes:
- Software Glitch: Every piece of technology has its quirks, and occasionally, a software glitch might prevent the Apple Watch from booting up properly.
- Incomplete Software Update: If an update to watchOS is interrupted or doesn’t install correctly, it can result in the watch getting stuck during startup.
- Hardware Issues: Less commonly, physical hardware problems can be the culprit, especially if the watch has been damaged or exposed to water beyond its resistance capacity.
After Charging:
It’s particularly disconcerting when your Apple Watch gets stuck on the Apple logo post-charging. This can often be attributed to:
- Faulty Chargers: Using non-certified chargers can sometimes cause issues.
- Overheating: Keeping the watch on charge after it reaches 100% can cause it to overheat, potentially leading to boot-up issues.
Apple Watch: Perform a Hard Reset
If the Apple Watch is temporarily stuck on the Apple logo screen, a hard restart may be able to fix the issue. Remember that if your Apple Watch is updating its operating system (a progress bar may be seen on the Watch screen), you shouldn’t force restart it or you risk bricking your device.
- Hold down the side button and the digital crown on your Apple Watch simultaneously.
- After 30 seconds, you may see if the Apple Watch turned on by releasing the buttons.
- If the Apple logo does not reappear, press and hold the buttons again.
- Verify whether the Apple Watch problem still exists after that.
- If it doesn’t work, try doing what you did multiple times to see if that helps.
- If it doesn’t work, try charging the Apple Watch for 30 minutes and then checking it again.
- If the problem remains after that, get your iPhone near your Apple Watch and try unlocking it from there.
- Repeat steps 1–4 to forcibly restart the Apple Watch while the iPhone is unlocked, and then see if it turns on normally afterward.
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Use the Watch App to Send a “Ping” to the Apple Watch.
If the Apple Watch and the associated iPhone are having brief connectivity issues, the startup process may fail, leaving the user locked on the Apple Logo screen. A ping sent from the iPhone’s Watch app to the connected Apple Watch could be the answer here.
- To restart the Apple Watch (as was previously stated), open the Bluetooth settings on the associated iPhone.
- Once the iPhone’s Bluetooth settings confirm a connection with Apple Watch, you may launch the My Watch app.
- Go to the My Watch section and choose the Apple Watch by tapping on its name.
- Find My Apple Watch may now be accessed by pressing the i (information) button.
- The next step is to enter your Apple ID and password (if prompted to do so).
- To access Actions, select the Apple Watch from the list of devices.
- Select Play Sound, and then see if you can get the Apple Watch to leave the logo screen. The Play Sound button may require more than one press to activate in certain circumstances.
Empty the Apple Watch’s Battery to Zero Percent.
The problem could be caused by an Apple Watch that gets stuck in a boot loop and never gets past the Apple Logo screen. Here, it’s possible that clearing the loop by entirely draining the Apple Watch’s battery will do the trick.
- It may take a day or two, but you should try restarting the Apple Watch by holding down the power button until the device completely shuts down.
- If the Apple Watch stops working normally once its battery dies, try charging it until it is fully charged.
Modify Your iPhone’s Watch’s Date and Time Zone
The frozen Apple logo can also be caused by the Watch app on the associated iPhone failing to interact with the Apple Watch due to a discrepancy in the two devices’ calendars or Time Zone settings.
The issue may be remedied by adjusting the Watch app’s Calendar and Time Zone Setting in this case.
- Open the Watch app on your iPhone, then navigate to Settings.
- Select Calendar in Language and Region.
- If that doesn’t work, try switching to Gregorian and restarting your Apple Watch to see if that helps.
- If that doesn’t work, see if changing the time zone to the user’s time zone helps.
- If the problem remains after doing so, try switching the Watch app’s time to a time zone that doesn’t observe daylight saving time. If the Watch starts up without a hitch, you may want to remove the infographic faces because they may interfere with the time change.
Return Your Apple Watch to its Original Settings.
If the Apple Watch’s operating system is corrupt (maybe as a result of a failed OS upgrade), it may be unable to load its startup sequence and remain frozen on the Apple logo screen.
In this case, resetting the Apple Watch to its factory settings could solve the problem. The Apple Watch can be reset in three different ways, the most appropriate of which will depend on the circumstances.
Visit Apple’s iCloud.com.
- Force If the Apple Watch freezes at the Apple logo after a restart, you can access iCloud.com from a computer.
- Launch Find My iPhone, then select All Devices.
- The Apple Watch must be selected before the Erase Apple Watch option appears.
- After that, you can reset your Apple Watch and make sure it’s working properly.
Use the Apple Watch App to Perform a Factory Reset
- Open the Watch app on the iPhone by selecting My Watch.
- Now go to Settings > Reset.
- Then select the option to Delete All Apple Watch Data.
- After confirming the reset, make sure the Apple Watch is no longer frozen on the Apple logo.
Resetting the Apple Watch to Factory Settings
- In the event that none of the foregoing steps were successful, you can try launching the Watch app on the associated iPhone and then disconnecting the Apple Watch from the phone.
- Now hold down the side button and the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch.
- Then, when the Apple logo appears, wait 10 seconds before letting off of the buttons.
- After a few seconds, press and hold the watch’s side button.
- Then, after about 20 seconds, when the Erase All Settings option appears, select Erase All Content and Settings.
- After the watch has finished resetting, check to see if it boots normally.
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Solutions for an Unresponsive Apple Watch:
Resetting the Apple Watch:
- Hold down the side button and the Digital Crown simultaneously.
- Continue holding until the Apple logo appears, indicating the watch is restarting.
What If a Force Restart Doesn’t Work?
If your Apple Watch remains unresponsive after attempting a force restart:
- Ensure Good Charge: Plug it into its charger and wait for a few hours to ensure it’s not merely drained.
- Check for Physical Damage: Ensure the watch hasn’t been damaged physically. Water damage, in particular, can have delayed effects.
Resetting Without an iPhone:
- Place the Apple Watch on its charger.
- Press and hold the side button until the Power Off slider appears.
- Press firmly on the Power Off slider (Force Touch) until the Erase All Content and Settings option appears.
- Tap on this option to reset the watch.
Can You Restart a Locked Apple Watch?
If your Apple Watch is locked and unresponsive, your options are limited. While you can attempt a force restart, if you can’t remember the passcode, you may need to erase the watch and restore from a backup using the paired iPhone.
When Your iPhone is Stuck on the Apple Logo:
In the unfortunate event that both your Apple Watch and iPhone exhibit this issue, here’s what to do for the iPhone:
- Force Restart:
- For iPhone 8 and later: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, do the same with the Volume Down button, and then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
- For iPhone 7 & 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Volume Down and Sleep/Wake (Power) buttons.
- For iPhone 6s & earlier: Hold down both the Home and the Sleep/Wake (Power) buttons.
- Recovery Mode: If the force restart doesn’t work, you might need to put your iPhone into Recovery Mode and restore it using iTunes.
Conclusion:
While the Apple logo symbolizes quality and reliability, seeing it stuck on your Apple Watch or iPhone can be a sign of a hiccup. Thankfully, most of these issues are software-related and can be resolved with a few steps.
However, always ensure you back up regularly to prevent data loss and consider seeking professional help if you’re unsure about any procedures.
