Troubleshooting

Apple Watch Help

watchOS complications, refresh frequency, Finish Setup fixes, and Apple Watch airport sync troubleshooting

Quick answers for watchOS complications, refresh limits, and syncing airports and settings between iPhone and Apple Watch.

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How do I add a METAR Pilot complication to my watch face?
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  1. Press and Hold your current watch face until the customization screen appears.

  2. Tap the Edit button.

  3. Swipe left until you reach the Complications screen.

  4. Tap one of the highlighted complication areas.

  5. Rotate the Digital Crown or scroll to find and select METAR Pilot.

  6. Press the Digital Crown twice to save and exit.

Why does the complication sometimes show older data?
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To preserve your Apple Watch battery, Apple limits how often apps can update their complications in the background. While METAR Pilot requests an update every 15 minutes, the system may delay these updates based on several factors:

  • Battery Level: If your watch battery is low or in Low Power Mode, watchOS reduces background activity to save energy.

  • Network Connection: If you have a weak cellular LTE/3G or Wi-Fi signal, the watch may wait for a stronger connection before attempting to download new METAR data.

  • System Budget: Apple assigns each app a "refresh budget". If the watch is busy with many other apps or tasks, it may skip an update cycle.

The watch app is stuck on "Finish Setup". How do I fix this?
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This message usually means the Apple Watch and iPhone are having trouble completing their initial "handshake." Please try these two solutions in order:

OPTION A: RESTART THE SYNC

  1. Close the Watch App: Double-click the Digital Crown to open the App Switcher. Swipe left on the METAR Pilot app and tap the red X to close the app.

  2. Refresh the iPhone App: Open the METAR Pilot app on your iPhone and keep it open.

  3. Relistener: On your Apple Watch, tap a METAR Pilot complication or open the app from the apps grid/list.

  4. Check Connection: Ensure both devices have a stable Wi-Fi or Cellular connection. The app should now recognize the setup and activate.

OPTION B: APP REINSTALL (If OPTION A FAILS)

  1. Delete the App: Delete METAR Pilot from your iPhone. This will automatically begin removing it from your Apple Watch (this may take a few minutes).

  2. Verify Removal: Check your Apple Watch app grid/list to ensure the icon is completely gone.

  3. Reinstall: Download METAR Pilot again from the App Store.

  4. Restore Access: Open the iPhone app, allow location permissions, and go to Edit > Restore Purchases to reactivate your Pro features.

  5. Final Sync: With the iPhone app opened, open the app on your Apple Watch. It should now sync and display your data correctly.

Does the Apple Watch app work without my iPhone nearby?
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Yes. METAR Pilot is designed to function as a standalone app. However, your experience will depend on your Apple Watch model and your current connection:

  • Cellular Models: If you have an active LTE plan, the app will fetch live METAR and TAF data directly from the internet, even if your iPhone is miles away.

  • Wi-Fi Models: If you are away from your iPhone but connected to a known Wi-Fi network (like at an FBO or hangar), the app will continue to update and function normally.

  • Offline Mode: If you have no cellular or Wi-Fi connection, you can still view the last successfully downloaded data.

Why keep your iPhone nearby? While the Watch app is independent, keeping your iPhone nearby is more battery-efficient. The Watch will intelligently "proxy" data through your iPhone via Bluetooth to save power, rather than using its own cellular or Wi-Fi radio.

What should I check if the watch isn’t syncing airports/settings?
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Make sure Bluetooth is enabled, both devices are signed into the same Apple ID, and METAR Pilot is installed on both iPhone and Apple Watch. Then open the iPhone app and the watch app once. If needed, restart both devices.

How do I contact support?
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We’re here to help! If you’re running into an issue or have a feature suggestion, please reach out via our Support Page or email us at support@metarpilot.com.

To help us resolve your issue as quickly as possible, please include the following details in your message:

  • Device Info: Your iPhone model and Apple Watch model (e.g., iPhone 15, Watch Ultra 2).

  • Software Version: Your current iOS and watchOS versions.

  • The Issue: A brief description of what’s happening.

  • Station/Airport: If the issue is with specific data, please include the ICAO code (e.g., KLAX, EGLL).

  • Complication Type: Which watch face and complication slot are you using?

Tip: Attaching a screenshot of the issue on your Apple Watch or iPhone is incredibly helpful for our team to diagnose the problem!

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