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Apple Releases watchOS 11.1

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Apr 12, 2001
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Apple today released watchOS 11.1, the first major update to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 11.1 comes one month after Apple released watchOS 11. watchOS 11.1 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, all Apple Watch Ultra models, and the Apple Watch SE 2.

watchOS-11-Thumb-2-1.jpg

watchOS 11.1 can be downloaded on an iPhone running iOS 18.1 by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery and it needs to be placed on a charger.

According to Apple's release notes, watchOS 11.1 adds improvements and bug fixes, including a fix for an issue with writing breathing disturbances data to HealthKit for some users.

More of the features available in watchOS 11 can be found in our watchOS 11 roundup.

Article Link: Apple Releases watchOS 11.1
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/28/apple-releases-watchos-11-1/
Already had 11.1 RC on my Ultra 2, and it shows as a 106MB update. Wonder what's changed between the RC and this one 🤔
 
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No issues with battery life on my 10 running 11. I usually charge it at night before bed and when I am ready to charge it again it will be between 45-50% remaining. Sometimes a bit lower but not by much. I could go until the next morning if I needed to. Sometimes I think specific apps installed on folk's devices affect battery life more than the watchOS.
 
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morphineseason said:
The last update (11.0.1) was supposed to address battery drain issues. I think mine has been mildly better, but my Series 7 battery is aging in general.
Click to expand...
It helped slightly, but still not as good as WatchOS 10. Also have a Series 7 that I bought brand new in April of this year. Battery Health is still 96%.
 
Knock on wood, the sub-dial weather and timer complications seem to be fixed on the Infograph face on my AWU.

Edit: a few hours later, the complications eventually go blank. 😑
 
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jz0309 said:
Initiating the update from the watch vs phone will speed things up
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Well, I did initiate the update from my U2, and it took about 25 min to download, so that shows that it is downloading via BT from phone to watch, the update was 685 MB or so. Maybe Apple changed something again as with watchOS 10 these kind of updates took like 2 min to download to watch.
;(
 
MacPoulet said:
Hopefully it improves battery life. Since upgrading to WatchOS 11, my battery is drained by the end of the day. WatchOS 10 would usually be about 40% left...
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I've kept my Ultra 2 on WatchOS 10 because WatchOS 11 tanked the battery on my S8 and 11.0.1 did not make any difference.
 
usmaak said:
I've kept my Ultra 2 on WatchOS 10 because WatchOS 11 tanked the battery on my S8 and 11.0.1 did not make any difference.
Click to expand...
Funny enough, I kinda miss WatchOS 8 which came with the watch, though the heart rate monitor was kinda flakey with it. But it was so much faster.
 
I wish the watch relayed Siri to the phone's Apple Intelligence engine when the phone was connected via Bluetooth. It is very annoying to have to fish my phone out for the better Siri.
 
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Update behavior changed for me on two watches. Updated from phone as usual, downloaded to watch, then asked for passcode which I then had to do on the watch which was on the charger. Twice. Enter passcode, confirm I wanted to proceed, then enter passcode again. Never have to enter passcode on watch face, usually it's done on the phone. Kinda need four hands to enter the passcode while it's on the charger...
 
Apple_Robert said:
I wish Apple allowed updating over cellular.
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I wish Apple allowed updating without being forced to put it in on the charger. Many times since the very first watch, I've put it on the charger just to bypass the installation restriction and then taken it off. Updates just fine without mains power and barely use any battery anyway.

As long as the watch has 50% or more, then they should scrap this restriction on all watches, Ultra ones especially as its just not needed.
 
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So, the watchos 11.1 requires ios 18.1, correct? If I have issues on one / both of them, then I can downgrade the iOS to 18.0.1 or 17.7 but can I also downgrade the watchos?
 
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