Apple ships watchOS 5.1.1 update without Apple Watch bricking bug

Apple has unexpectedly shipped an update to watchOS bringing it to version 5.1.1, a release of the wearable operating system that seems to solve a recent issue that bricked some models of Apple Watch.

The new watchOS 5.1.1 replaces version 5.1, following reports some users attempting to install the release discovered their devices had bricked. Users were able to download the update and begin the installation, but the process froze at the Apple Logo, with it remaining onscreen for hours.

The complaints caused Apple to pull the release the same day. While not all users were affected, those with non-functional devices had to contact Apple to obtain a replacement. It is unlikely that the bricked Apple Watch models would be able to install the new update without Apple's intervention.

The watchOS 5.1.1 release is notable as it did not enter into any publicly-visible beta process before its release. Apple's other operating systems have restarted the beta testing cycle for new versions, including iOS 12.1.1, tvOS 12.1.1, and macOS Mojave 10.14.2, with watchOS now the only one of the four not to be undergoing the beta process.

Initially issued on October 30, the release of watchOS 5.1 introduced a number of bug fixes and other minor improvements, including support for Group FaceTime calls via audio, new emoji, and new watchface customization options.

15 Comments

MustSeeUHDTV 308 comments · 7 Years

About 6 years ago

So if my Gen4 Apple Watch upgraded to watchOS 5.1 fine, should I even bother to update to watchOS 5.1.1 (if there are no changes)?

anantksundaram 20390 comments · 18 Years

Best to wait a week. As always.

wrod59 9 comments · 14 Years

I have a Series 4 that was bricked during the 5.1 updates, had to send it off to Apple to get an OS installed again from what I was told. I'm wondering if they will install the 5.1.1 update before sending the watches back. In my feedback to Apple, I said that the Watch remains the only IOS devices that we can't do a rollback. I'm hoping this will change for the watch or at least be able to take it to an Apple Store to do a restore. This happened Tuesday evening so going on 7 days tomorrow with no watch. In the words of Brain Tong "Bad Apple"

teknishn 38 comments · 12 Years

wrod59 said:

I have a Series 4 that was bricked during the 5.1 updates, had to send it off to Apple to get an OS installed again from what I was told. I'm wondering if they will install the 5.1.1 update before sending the watches back. In my feedback to Apple, I said that the Watch remains the only IOS devices that we can't do a rollback. I'm hoping this will change for the watch or at least be able to take it to an Apple Store to do a restore. This happened Tuesday evening so going on 7 days tomorrow with no watch. In the words of Brain Tong "Bad Apple"

I really hope they address this. I had my series 2 bricked with a beta several months back. (I’m a developer) It was a near identical situation. After talking with a mgr, they agreed to replace at no cost out of warranty since it was their fault. I got lucky on the 5.1 upgrade on my series 4, but I’m massively paranoid now. I reboot my devices prior to upgrade, make sure iPhone is upgraded first always, and when I do the watch uprgrade, I keep my phone right next to the watch. Probably overkill, but I don’t want another brick.

normang 118 comments · 17 Years

I love the "unexpectedly" in the article, what is to be unexpected? Apple releases 5.1, it has an unfortunate issue, and they pull it, they are going to release a fixed version eventually, and it would be highly unlikely that they would use the same version #.. Thus 5.1.1... So unless I see more reports of watches dying in the next 24 hours, I'll upgrade tomorrow..