Apple Pulls watchOS 3.1.1 Update After Bricking Complaints

Following complaints that the new watchOS 3.1.1 update is bricking some Series 2 Apple Watch models, Apple has temporarily pulled the update.

watchOS 3.1.1 is no longer available for download from the Watch app on the iPhone, with watchOS 3.1 listed as the most recent update for those who had not already downloaded and installed 3.1.1.

After installing watchOS 3.1.1, some Apple Watch Series 2 owners had their devices bricked. Affected Apple Watches are displaying a red exclamation mark on the screen that instructs them to visit www.apple.com/help/watch.

apple-watch-brick
The site directs Apple Watch owners to perform a force restart of the Apple Watch by holding down the side button and the Digital Crown, and says that if a restart does not work to restore the device, it will need to be taken in for service.

Resetting the Apple Watch has not worked for customers who have had their watches bricked by watchOS 3.1.1, and replacement Apple Watches will be required. Apple retail locations cannot service Apple Watches in store, because access to the diagnostic port (something not done in-store) is required.

Most users who are affected by the problem own an Apple Watch Series 2, and it is not yet clear why the update failed on some devices and not on others. watchOS 3.1.1 will likely be made available again once the bug is cleared up. Customers with an Apple Watch bricked by watchOS 3.1.1 should visit an Apple retail store or contact Apple support.

(Thanks, Manolo!)

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Top Rated Comments

BootsWalking Avatar
107 months ago
The good news is that a bricked Apple Watch is only slightly less useful than a functional one.
Score: 83 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rob_2811 Avatar
107 months ago
Another magical software release designed by Apple in California.
Score: 79 Votes (Like | Disagree)
profets Avatar
107 months ago
So nobody here has had theirs bricked. Got it. Just the usual haters.
?

There's several threads with people here who have had them bricked.. myself included.

But thanks for the useless comment.
Score: 70 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bryan Bowler Avatar
107 months ago
Apple is now the Microsoft of old. Man, it was a good run while it lasted...
Score: 57 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JosephAW Avatar
107 months ago
They have to remove the time remaining for the battery.
Score: 50 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
107 months ago
But buy our $300 book!
Score: 49 Votes (Like | Disagree)