Can’t Take a Screenshot on Apple Watch After watchOS 11 Update? 9 Best Fixes!

Capturing a screenshot on Apple Watch is as easy as it can ever get. Just head over to the screen in question -> then, press the Digital Crown and the Side button at once and you are good to go! Yeah, that’s how straightforward it is. Sadly, some users have reported that they can’t take a screenshot on Apple Watch. If this problem is troubling you as well after the watchOS 11 software update, try out these 9 best ways to fix Apple Watch screenshot not working problem.

Best Tips to Fix Apple Watch Screenshot Not Working

To get going, let’s first figure out the hurdles that could be stopping the screenshot feature from functioning properly!

What could be preventing the Apple Watch from taking a screenshot? 

At the heart of this watchOS problem could be the lack of proper understanding of how snapping an Apple Watch screen works. Yes, you read that right!

Bear in mind that once you have set up your Apple Watch, you need to manually enable the screenshot on your smartwatch. Sadly, this feature is not enabled by default. 

That aside, you need to be fully aware of the location where the screenshots captured by the Apple Watch are saved. Apart from these important things, you should keep in mind the miscellaneous software glitches that are almost always in the play given the fact that software bugs have become part and parcel. 

But there is no need to worry about anything as you can troubleshoot the screenshot issues on your watchOS device with ease. 

1. Make Sure to Snap the Screenshot Correctly

To begin with, it would be better to master the process of taking a screenshot on the Apple Watch. While it’s dead simple, some folks might not be aware of the process. 

  • To capture a screenshot, press the Digital Crown and the Side button in one go. When you snap a screenshot, the screen slightly flashes as a confirmation.
Take a screenshot on Apple Watch

2. View Your Apple Watch Screenshots in the Photos App on Your iPhone

Wondering where the captured Apple Watch screenshots are saved? Well, let me tell you that you will need to go to the Photos app on your paired iPhone to view your Apple Watch screenshots. 

3. Ensure That Your iPhone Has Enough Storage

If your paired iPhone is cluttered for space, it could very well be the reason why the Apple Watch screenshots are not showing up in the Photos app.

  • On your iOS device, head into the Settings app -> General -> iPhone Storge -> Have a look at the available and used storage. Then, wipe out the entire clutter to recover the precious space.
Check storage on iPhone and iPad
  • After you have cleaned up the iPhone storage, capture screenshots on your Apple Watch to check if you have gotten the better of the problem.

4. Disable/Enable Screenshot 

Now, I would recommend you disable/enable the screenshot on your Apple Watch. The reason why I want you to try this nifty solution is that it has worked for me many a time. 

  • To get it done, head over to the Watch app on your paired iPhone -> General -> turn off/on the toggle next to Enable Screenshots. 

5. Turn OFF/ON Bluetooth 

Another easy solution that is worth trying is to disable/enable “Bluetooth” on both the connected iPhone and Apple Watch. 

  • On your iPhone: Open the Settings app -> Bluetooth -> turn off the toggle next to Bluetooth. After that, restart your iPhone and turn on Bluetooth. 
  • On your Apple Watch: Launch the Settings app -> Bluetooth and turn off the toggle. Next, restart your watchOS device and then turn on Bluetooth. 

6. Hard Reset Your Apple Watch and Paired iPhone 

No luck as yet? Now, we will hard reset both the Apple Watch and the connected iPhone as it’s a very effective solution, especially when dealing with common issues. 

  • On the Apple Watch: Hold down both the Side button and the Digital Crown until you see the Apple logo on the screen. 
  • On iPhone: Press the volume up button. After that, you need to immediately press the volume down button. Then, hold down the power button until the screen goes black and the Apple logo greets you on the screen. 

7. Reset Network Settings 

One of the most reliable ways to troubleshoot the ill-fated network issues on iPhone is to reset the network settings. Hence, we will give a chance to this pivotal solution as well. 

  • On your iPhone, launch the Settings app -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone -> Reset -> Reset Network Settings and confirm the action. 
Reset network settings on iPhone

8. Update Your iPhone and Apple Watch 

If the issue has not gone away yet, there is a high chance that a software bug could be causing the problem. Therefore, update both the iPhone and the Apple Watch.

  • To update your Apple Watch: Go to the Watch app on your paired iPhone -> My Watch tab -> General -> Software Update. 
Update Apple Watch
  • To update your paired iPhone: Head into the Settings app -> General -> Software Update. 
Choose software update

9. Last Resort: Erase Your Apple Watch and Re-Pair It With Your iPhone

If you still can’t capture a screenshot on your Apple Watch, erase your watch and re-pair it with your iPhone. This nuclear solution has an enviable record of fixing even the most complex watchOS issues.

  • To do so, navigate to the Watch app on your iPhone -> General -> Reset -> Erase Apple Watch Content and Settings. 
Erase your Apple Watch
  • After that, launch the Watch app on your iPhone and go through the on-screen instructions to pair the watch with the iPhone again. 
  • Once you have successfully set up your Apple Watch, dive into the Watch app -> General -> turn on the switch next to Enable Screenshot. 

Fixed Apple Watch Screenshot Not Working in watchOS 11

That’s all there is to it! I guess your Apple Watch has begun to take screenshots as usual. Make sure to let us know the tips that have allowed you to resolve the screenshot issues on your watchOS device. If there is any other tip that works wonders in resolving this Apple Watch problem, do not forget to let me know that as well. 

Posted by
Rajesh Mishra

Editor-in-Chief: Rajesh Mishra is a Shakespearean poet at heart who turned a tech nerd while having a secret rendezvous with iPhone 4. When that rendezvous turned obsession, he let go of his hard-core political journalism in favour of the lifelong love-affair with technology. In a career spanning one and a half decades, Mr. Mishra has crafted over 8K articles and produced more than 3K videos for YouTube. When he is not at his desk, you may find him either engrossed in a Deathmatch or chasing Wordsworth!

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