No regular data update on the Apple Watch

[Stefan-Wolff]

The data is not regularly updated in the background on the Apple Watch under watchOS 11.2. As a result, no current value is displayed on the watch face. The data is only updated when the app is opened on the Apple Watch.

[dhermanns]

Hi! Is this new on Watchos 11.2? I'm not on this version yet, and It's updating fine for me in background.

[dhermanns]

There could be a lot of reasons why background updates are not working. Have a look at other issues here.

One reason could be that alarm notifications have been disabled in the watch.

I will test the new watchos 11.2 and have a look whether something was introduced here.

[Stefan-Wolff]

I have only tested with watchOS 11 so far. I've never had the app update the data automatically in the background.
Do you use the Internet directly via the Apple Watch or via the iPhone?

[dhermanns]

The stats in the watch are outdated. Have to remove them. I'm not using cellular on the watch.

[Stefan-Wolff]

What do you mean by "alarm notifications have been disabled in the watch"? I can only activate/deactivate the alarms on the iPhone, but not on the Watch. I have actually deactivated the app alarms on the iPhone because I don't need them. But that can't have anything to do with updating the data, can it?

[dhermanns]

I wrote a reason could be that alarm notifications have been disabled on the watch. So you should enable them on the iOS Part of nightguard. This could improve background updates on the phone an watch. But as mentioned, could be only one of several reasons that could cause problems on background updates.

[Stefan-Wolff]

I have activated the alarms as a test, without success.

[Stefan-Wolff]

I tested with another Apple Watch and iPhone Version, same issue. I think the problem is related to WatchOS 11.

[dhermanns]

I tested on WatchOS 11.2 now. Works for me. What is your Watchface and which nightguard complication are you using?

[Stefan-Wolff]

Nightguard Version 3.9.2.906 from the Applestore,
Watchface „Nike Digital“, but I have tested several others. Which one are you using ?

[dhermanns]

Modular Ultra with the rectangular complication.

[dhermanns]

You can try to switch to the latest TestFlight. Just to be sure, since I'm using it.

https://testflight.apple.com/join/Ub8WcpcE

[Stefan-Wolff]

The link is not working („Beta not found“)

[dhermanns]

Ah sorry - try the new one:

https://testflight.apple.com/join/zE4CfcRn

[Stefan-Wolff]

Same link?

[dhermanns]

Second try

[Stefan-Wolff]

Thank you for access to the beta version. I have now installed it. Unfortunately, the problem remains unchanged. The data is not updated on the watch face, new data is only loaded when the app is opened or when the watch face is changed.

[dhermanns]

Can you post a screenshot of your watchface? Still not sure what type of complication you are using.

[Stefan-Wolff]

[dhermanns]

Thanks - that is the circular complication. Will try to reproduce this with that type of complication.

[dhermanns]

No - works for me fine even for that complication. So I would assume that some other setting is preventing the app to do background updates.

I have documented some common pitfalls here:

https://h3rmanns.medium.com/enabling-background-updates-for-you-iphone-and-watch-4b8167a70b24

You can switch to another watchface that provides the rectangular complication (like the one in my screenshot).

And you can try to place a nightguard widget on your lock screen. That could help, too.

[Stefan-Wolff]

Thank you very much for your extensive help. I have tried all your tips. Unfortunately, the problem remains. It is not directly due to the watch face, but to the app not updating in the background. It only updates when I explicitly open it. This affects the display of the watch face, the number in the app icon and also the dashboard (in the lockscreen and on the home screen).

[dhermanns]

Background updates only update the widget and complications. The app on the phone and watch fetches fresh data when opened and active. This is by design.

So when you test the rectangular complication, it displays error messages, e.g. when you don't have Internet access at the time of the update.