Fix: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 / 5 Pro Stuck on Copying Update

Why is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 / 5 Pro Stuck on Copying Update?

First, let’s understand why your Galaxy Watch 5 or 5 Pro is stuck on Copying Update. Many users have been facing this issue lately, especially after the One UI 5 Watch update. Regardless, this is an issue with all Galaxy Watches and software updates.

Samsung has had this issue for a long time, and there seems to be no clear explanation as to why this happens. Whenever you are trying to update your watch’s software to a newer version, it simply gets stuck on Copying Update. While we don’t exactly know why this happens, there are a few explanations that make sense.

1. Bluetooth Interference: When updating the Galaxy Watch, enabling Bluetooth on both the watch and the linked phone can cause interference and cause the update to get stuck.
2. Conflicts Over Mobile Data (LTE Models): Having mobile data enabled on LTE devices may lead to incompatibilities with updates, as the watch may attempt to use mobile data instead of Wi-Fi.
3. Problems with Power Management: When the battery level varies during the update, the watch’s battery management system may become too cautious and halt the update process.
4. Issues with Connections: The update procedure may stall if the watch and phone are not on the same Wi-Fi network or if there are problems with the Bluetooth connection.
5. Not Enough Storage Space: The “Copying Update” problem occurs when the watch doesn’t have enough space to copy the update files. The same is true for a slow internet connection.
6. Corrupted Cache: Cache and data may build up in the Galaxy Wearable app over time, causing problems with software updates.
7. Galaxy Wearable App Is Out of Date: Incompatibilities between the Galaxy Wearable app and the watch’s firmware could arise if you’re using an older version of the app.
8. Software Conflicts: In extremely unusual circumstances, the Galaxy Watch may need to be factory reset in order to fix the stuck on “Copying Update” error.

9 Ways to Fix Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 / 5 Pro Stuck on Copying Update

Now that you have understood why the watch is getting stuck on Copying Update, it should be easy to troubleshoot the issue. We have compiled a set of solutions that will help you fix the issue. Make sure to try all the solutions until the issue is resolved.

Fix 1: Disable Bluetooth and Use Wi-Fi

Disabling Bluetooth on the Galaxy Watch itself has reportedly helped users who had their watches stuck on “Copying Update”. A user on Samsung Community also found a solution in this fix. This entails turning off Bluetooth on the watch itself, as opposed to merely severing the connection on the phone.

To turn off Bluetooth on your Galaxy Watch, go to Settings and tap on Connections. Then, tap on Bluetooth and turn it off. Make sure to also turn off the Bluetooth on your phone. This will cut off the Bluetooth connection between your phone and Galaxy Watch permanently.

Now, connect your Galaxy Watch to a reliable Wi-Fi network. The update procedure will go more smoothly if you have a stable Wi-Fi connection. Try to start the update on your Galaxy Watch.

Note for LTE Models: If you have an LTE-enabled Galaxy Watch, you should also disable mobile data during this process to ensure that the watch depends largely on a reliable Wi-Fi connection for the update.

Fix 2: Connect your Galaxy Watch to the Charger

If your Galaxy Watch 5 / 5 Pro is stuck on the “Copying Update,” but the battery percentage still seems enough (say, 90%), plugging it into a power source may fix the problem. Apparently, the update process will go smoother when the watch is connected to the charger.

This simple workaround has been successful for several users. A user on the Reddit thread says that they successfully fixed the issue by simply putting their watch on the charging cradle.

“3 times failed with 90% battery, and this simple hack worked. I’m guessing it’s an issue from Samsung’s side.”

Keep in mind that this workaround may not fix the underlying issue, but it may be the only method to install the update if you’re stuck. All you need to do is connect your watch to the charger and start the update.

The reason this solution is efficient is that Samsung Galaxy Watches’ update procedure can be susceptible to fluctuations in battery level, even at a high percentage. By plugging the watch into the charger, you can ensure a steady flow of power during the update process.

Fix 3: Connect your Phone to the Charger

If you’re still stuck on Copying Update, this is because neither device is receiving power from the other. It is also important to make sure that your smartphone and watch have a full charge before beginning the update procedure.

1. Get your Galaxy Watch into its charging dock.
2. Similarly, connect your phone to power.
3. Also, turn off Bluetooth while the update is installed.
4. Make sure your phone and watch are both connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This is a necessary step to ensure a steady connection throughout the update.

Many users claimed that this is the only thing that fixed their watch stuck on Copying Update, so it’s worth a go.

“I got it working after getting both my phone and watch connected on the same Wi-Fi. And with Bluetooth turned off. Just in case, connect both of them on charger. Hope it works for you :)”

Fix 4: Restart your Galaxy Watch and Phone

Simply restarting your Galaxy Watch 5 / 5 Pro and its paired phone should get rid of any temporary software issues or incompatibilities. A fresh start is provided, allowing the devices to connect securely and resume the update procedure.

Minor software faults that prevent updates are frequently fixed by applying this quick and easy solution. It is recommended to try updating again after rebooting both devices to determine if the issue has been fixed. Follow these steps to restart your Galaxy Watch 5 / 5 Pro and phone:

On Galaxy Watch:

1. On the watch face, swipe down from the top and tap on the Power icon.
2. Now, select Power off.
3. Wait for a few seconds, and press and hold the Power button to turn your Galaxy Watch back on.

On Phone:

1. Press and hold the Side/Power button until the power off menu appears.
2. Select Restart.
3. Once both devices have been restarted, simply connect them to the charger and try updating again.

Fix 5: Make Sure You Have Enough Storage Space

Another common reason why your Galaxy Watch 5 / 5 Pro is stuck on Copying Update could be insufficient storage space. If there is not enough space for the update to be installed, you will definitely run into problems, and the watch will get stuck on Copying Update. In this case, first, check the storage space available on your watch.

1. On the watch face, swipe down from the top and tap on the Settings icon.
2. Scroll down and tap on About watch.
3. Then, scroll down again and tap on Storage.
4. Make sure you have at least 4GB of free storage space.
5. Try deleting some tracks and songs or exporting them to your phone to free up space. Go to the Galaxy Wearable app to do it more smoothly.
6. Once you have freed up some space, try installing the update again.

Fix 6: Clear the Cache of the Galaxy Wearable App

The Galaxy Wearable app is a key part of keeping your Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 or 5 Pro up-to-date and controlling it. But as cache and data build up in the app over time, they can cause problems and slow down the update process, causing the watch to get stuck. To fix this, follow these steps to clear the Galaxy Wearable app’s cache and data:

1. Open the Settings on your phone.
2. Go to “Apps” or “Applications,” based on what kind of device you have.
3. Find the “Galaxy Wearable” app in the list of installed apps and tap on it.
4. Tap on Storage & data.
5. Tap on Clear cache. Clearing the cache deletes temporary files and can fix small problems.

Clearing the Galaxy Wearable app’s cache and data can often fix any problems or clashes that may be causing your watch to get stuck on Copying Update. After you’ve done these things, you can try to update again, and it should go more smoothly.

Fix 7: Enable Location and Force-stop Galaxy Wearable App & Galaxy Watch5 Manager

An X user had a similar issue when their Galaxy Watch where it was stuck at Copying Update. Fortunately, he was able to fix the issue by a few simple tweaks. Follow the steps below:

1. Make sure the Location services are enabled on both your phone and the watch. Go to the Quick Settings panel to do so.
2. Then, open the Settings on your phone.
3. Go to “Apps” or “Applications,” based on what kind of device you have.
4. Find the “Galaxy Wearable” app in the list of installed apps and tap on it.
5. Tap on Force stop.
6. Do the same for the “Galaxy Watch5 Manager” app as well.
7. Now, open the software update page on your watch and start the update. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on and your watch is on the charger.

Fix 8: Update the Galaxy Wearable App

Making sure you’re running the latest version of the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone is essential for a smooth update of your Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 or 5 Pro. Your watch may get stuck on Copying Update if you are trying to update to a newer version of the app on an older device.

The problem is less likely to occur if you update the Galaxy Wearable app to the most recent version, which fixes any compatibility issues and makes sure your watch can communicate with your phone smoothly throughout the update. Here’s how to update the Galaxy Wearable app and fix the problem:

1. Open the Galaxy Wearable app.
2. Now, tap on the three horizontal lines or the hamburger icon on the top left.
3. Now, tap on the gear icon next to Galaxy Wearable.
4. Tap on About Galaxy Wearable.
5. The app will now check for any available updates. Tap on Update Now to start installing the update.
6. Be patient while the app downloads and installs the latest update.
7. Launch the Galaxy Wearable app once the software update has finished installing.
8. Pair your watch and try updating it again.

Fix 9: Reset your Galaxy Watch

Finally, when you’ve exhausted all other troubleshooting methods and still encounter the “Copying Update” issue on your Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 or 5 Pro, performing a reset on the watch can be a last resort to resolve persistent software conflicts. Here’s how to reset your Galaxy Watch:

Note: Performing a reset will erase all data on your watch, including apps, settings, and personal information. Make sure to back up any essential data before proceeding. Open the Galaxy Wearable app > Watch settings > Accounts & backup > Back up data.

1. On your Galaxy Watch, swipe down from the top of the screen to access the Quick Panel.
2. Tap on the “Settings” gear icon to enter the Settings menu.
3. Scroll down and select “General.”
4. Scroll down again and choose “Reset.” 
5. If you have an LTE version, you can choose to keep or remove your mobile plans.
6. Once you are ready to proceed, confirm by entering your PIN or pattern if prompted.
7. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the reset.
8. Finally, once the watch has been reset, reconnect it to your phone and see if the issue has been resolved.

Final Words

The Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro are great watches that run on WearOS, and the new WearOS 4 update has promises to make them even better. However, many users run into an issue where the watch is stuck on the Copying Update message for a really long time. Thankfully, this issue is very common and easy to fix.

We hope that you have followed all the solutions mentioned in the article and fixed the issue on your Galaxy Watch 5 or 5 Pro. If the issue at all still persists, you should contact Samsung support for further assistance. Hopefully, Samsung will make the updating process on its watches smoother in the future.