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Multiple Android Wear smartwatches are not pairing with the iPhone 7 [Update: Confirmed list of affected devices]

Android Wear is a fantastic platform, but one of its best aspects is that it works not just on Android, but also on iOS. While Android Wear’s functionality is more limited when used with iOS devices, it’s still great to have the option. That said, something odd is seemingly going on with a handful of Android Wear smartwatches and the recently-announced iPhone 7.

Multiple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus users are reporting online that their Android Wear powered smartwatch is not pairing with the iPhone 7 despite working with other iPhones. So far Google has acknowledged this issue for the Moto 360 v2, ASUS ZenWatch (and 2), Fossil, MK, and Tag Heuer watches. Through Google’s forums, many users are further confirming this issue, even on other devices such as the original LG G Watch and 1st generation Moto 360.

The cause of this issue is unclear at this point, but it seems that it could be something hardware related since it is only affecting iPhone 7 units. iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S devices running iOS 10 do not appear to be affected. Here’s what some some users experiencing the issue have to say:

I’ve got a TAG Heuer Connected that was working fine with my iPhone 6 even after I upgraded to iOS 10, but then since I unpaired to connect to my new iPhone 7 I haven’t been able to pass the pairing screen. I’ve tried with both phones, even tried to after downgrading the iPhone 6 to 9.3. I’ve also tried to a factory reset through the ‘Android dead robot’ as advised by TAG, but didn’t help, none of the phones get the code from the watch. Thanks!

Just wanted to let you guys know I’m facing the same issue. Can’t get my Moto360 2nd gen to pair with my iPhone7 (iPhone 6 and 6s with iOS10 was no problem).
My iPhone7 sees my Moto360 2nd in the Android Wear App and in the bluetooth list when trying to pair but I never get the “accept message” on my Wear App when trying to pair so the pairing keeps failing.

I am having the same issue as well. I am going to watch this thread closely to see if we can get a patch :(. I will give it a [minute] before I sell this watch and try to move on. I hope I don’t have too. 

Google has confirmed that it is looking into the issue and has reported it to Apple. The company says it is looking to fix the issue as soon as possible, but no timeline has been provided yet. Are you having problems? Let us know in the comments section below.

Update: Google recently emailed us with a confirmation of exactly which Android Wear models are being affected. They include:

  • ASUS ZenWatch 2
  • Moto 360 2nd Gen
  • Moto 360 Sport
  • TAG Heuer Connected
  • Fossil Q Founder

The company says that only these watches are being affected. We also asked for any further information on the matter, but Google had nothing to share at this time.

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