If you need any proof that the Apple Watch is becoming a much more independent smart device, the addition of a standalone App Store in watchOS 6 is a good place to start.
The watchOS App Store works just like the App Store on Apple’s other platforms — meaning you can download apps directly to your Apple Watch without an iPhone nearby. Here’s how to use it in watchOS 6.
Search and download apps on Apple Watch via app store
Apple has optimized the App Store experience for the Apple Watch, which means that using the app marketplace is luckily pretty simple.
For example, here’s how you’d search for an app on the watchOS App Store.
Press the Digital Crown to head to your Home screen.
Find and tap on the App Store icon. It’ll look just like its iOS analog.
When it opens, tap Search.
You can choose to search via Dictation or Scribble. Choose the method that best suits you.
Dictate or scribble the app you’d like to find.
Tap Done.
Note: Not every app will be compatible with watchOS. If you don’t see the app you’d like to download in the search results, it may not support the Apple Watch directly. Try searching for it via the Watch app on your iPhone to see if there’s a companion app option.
Once you search for a particular app, it’s a fairly simple process to actually download the app.
Once you find an app you’d like to download in your search results, tap on it.
From here, you should see an option to Get the app. Alternatively, there may be a price if it’s a paid application.
Download apps directly from Apple Watch app store
If prompted for a password, you’ll have the option to Scribble or use your iPhone keyboard to input it.
Once you’re done inputting your password, tap Done on your Watch or Return on your iPhone.
The app you selected should now download to your Apple Watch.
It’s worth noting that you can also see the ratings or reviews for an app directly on your Watch. Just search for an app, tap on it and scroll down. Then, tap on Ratings & Reviews. You can also tap on Read More to read a full review.
Find purchased apps on Apple Watch
Accidentally delete an app that you paid for? There’s an easier way to get it back on your watch than simply searching for it again. Here’s how.
3 Steps to locate purchased apps on Apple Watch
Go to your Home screen — just press the Digital Crown.
Tap the App Store icon.
Scroll down with your finger or the Digital Crown.
Tap on Account
Then, tap on Purchased.
Choose from ‘My Purchases‘ or tap on a family plan member’s id to see additional apps
This is also a great way to keep track of the apps you’ve specifically purchased on your Apple Watch (versus free apps that you downloaded).
Update Apple Watch apps directly on Apple Watch
Apple Watch apps need to be updated periodically, just like apps on iOS or macOS. The process is just as simple as on those other platforms.
Go to your Home screen — just press the Digital Crown.
Tap the App Store icon.
Scroll down with your finger or the Digital Crown.
Tap on Account.
Then, tap on Updates.
Any app that has a pending update in the App Store will show up on this list. You can tap on them individually to update them over Wi-Fi or Cellular, depending on the model of your Apple Watch and if your connected iPhone is nearby.
Deleting and rearranging apps
Go a bit download-crazy after you found out the Apple Watch has its own App Store?
Not to worry. Deleting apps on the Apple Watch is extremely simple. There are actually two ways to go about it
Go to your Home screen — just press the Digital Crown.
Tap and hold on any app to activate the familiar “wiggle mode.”
Once you’re in wiggle mode, the apps that can be deleted will have a small “X” icon above them. Tap on it to delete it.
You can also tap, hold and drag on any app to rearrange the app grid layout directly on your Apple Watch.
It’s worth noting that if you’re running watchOS 6, you can now delete most native Apple apps on your Apple Watch. This is something that wasn’t possible before.
You can also quickly remove Apple Watch apps on your connected iPhone through the Watch app.
Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
Tap on the My Watch tab.
Scroll down until you see the Installed on Apple Watch subheading.
Tap on any of these apps and then tap the toggle next to Show on Apple Watch. Once the toggle is disabled, the app will be uninstalled from your watch.
If you find rearranging your Apple Watch apps directly on your Apple Watch a bit tricky, you can also rearrange the app grid via iPhone.
Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
Tap on the My Watch tab.
Find and tap on App Layout.
In this menu, tap and drag on any app icon to place them elsewhere.
Sign in to complete purchase message on Apple Watch after watchOS 6 Update?
Several readers have pointed out that after updating to watchOS 6, they are seeing an issue where a message shows up intermittently “Sign in to complete purchase”. Subsequently it requests the user to log in using an older Apple ID. This issue is not happening with all users but is limited to only some users.
If you are facing the issue, first update your iPhone to iOS 13.1.1 (the latest update) and see if it helps.
Once you have completed updating your iPhone, follow these steps:
Tap on Settings > iTunes & App Store
Tap on your Apple ID on the top and sign out
Use your old Apple Id and password and log in again
Restart your iPhone and Apple Watch
If you see the ‘Sign in to Purchase’ message on your watch, enter the password for the old id.
Now, On your iPhone, log out of the old id and change it to your new Apple ID
Restart both iPhone and Watch
On your Apple Watch, open App store app and scroll down to the bottom
Tap on Account and check if it is pointing to the new Apple ID.
This should hopefully fix the issue on your Apple Watch. Let us know in the comments below
We hope that you found this article useful. watchOS 6 introduces the App store directly on your Apple Watch. We think that this is the first step in more to come as Apple plans on meaningful strategies to make the Apple Watch more stand alone. Do you plan on using the Apple Watch app store? or would you stick to browsing apps on iPhone?
Mike is a freelance journalist from San Diego, California.
While he primarily covers Apple and consumer technology, he has past experience writing about public safety, local government, and education for a variety of publications.
He’s worn quite a few hats in the journalism field, including writer, editor, and news designer.
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