watchOS 3.1.1 update bricking some Apple Watches, users say

Monday's watchOS 3.1.1 update has rendered some Apple Watches useless, forcing their owners to turn to Apple for a replacement, according to a series of user complaints.

Affected Watches are ending up on a screen with a red exclamation mark, and a link to www.apple.com/help/watch. In practice, though, even Apple stores can't deal with the problem directly, which purportedly involves connecting to a Watch's diagnostic port to restore the device.

Instead Apple stores are apparently sending units off, making it easier in some cases to use the company's support site and apply for a replacement by mail.

While the problem primarily appears to be affecting Series 2 Watches, some earlier models may also be impacted. Since even many Series 2 owners haven't experienced any trouble, though, it's not clear what the root cause might be.

If faulty code is responsible, Apple may already be aware of the issue and working on a watchOS 3.1.2 update. 3.1.1 was released in tandem with iOS 10.2 and tvOS 10.1, and was itself meant to offer bugfixes.

20 Comments

razormaid 299 comments · 14 Years

About 7 years ago

I have the Nike watch. No problems during the 5 betas and no problem here on the master either. My friend has the Series 1 (second gen) no problem with his 5 betas and now the GM either.

Both iphones went through all the betas and now the GM of iOS 10.2 as well.

In case that helps. <GRIN>

macxpress 5910 comments · 16 Years

If they've been doing all of these betas how come this didn't come up during then? I would think this would be a benefit to having public betas but I guess not.

Not that this helps anyone, but my Apple Watch Series 1 updated just fine.

kjellbrell 12 comments · 13 Years

No problems, no obvious ones, on a Series 2. Took a while to install though, but again no obvious issues found.

kahuna1342 3 comments · 8 Years

All good on my Nike Series 2. Did take quite a bit of time, but everything seems to be running well.

emoeller 588 comments · 17 Years

Took a long time to update my Series 1, and when it was finished my iPhone said Update Completed in a pop up box, but the watch was still booting up (apple logo) and the iPhone noted that it was still installing even after the watch completed booting. After quitting the iOS Watch app and relaunching, both devices showed that it updated to 3.1.1 - so all was good.