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Apple Releases watchOS 7.3.1 With Fix for Apple Watch Series 5 and SE Charging Issue

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Apr 12, 2001
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Apple today released watchOS 7.3.1, a minor update to the watchOS 7 operating system that was released in September. watchOS 7.3.1 comes a couple of weeks after the release of watchOS 7.3.

7.3.1-on-Apple-Watch-feature.jpg

‌‌The watchOS 7.3.1 update‌‌ can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the ‌‌‌‌‌‌iPhone‌‌‌‌‌‌. Today's update is only available for the Apple Watch Series 5 and the Apple Watch SE, so other Apple Watch models will not have an update available.

According to Apple's release notes, the watchOS 7.3.1 update introduces a fix for an issue that prevented some Apple Watch Series 5 and SE models from charging after entering Power Reserve mode.

watchOS 7.3, the prior update, brought a Time to Walk feature for Apple Fitness+, expanded ECG functionality to new countries like Japan, and added a new Unity watch face. Apple is also working on watchOS 7.4, a major update that allows the Apple Watch to be used to unlock an iPhone when wearing a mask.

Article Link: Apple Releases watchOS 7.3.1 With Fix for Apple Watch Series 5 and SE Charging Issue
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2021/02/15/apple-releases-watchos-7-3-1/
Last edited:
Got an S5 here. I've been stuck on 'Checking for Update...' for half an hour now. I didn't even know this was a problem and my watch almost went into power reserve last night. Glad it didn't!
 
jerry16 said:
excuse my ignorance - were all S3 8GB or only certain models?
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I believe only GPS models were 8 GB. Nonetheless, Apple currently only sells that version of the series 3, which is hard to understand given that it makes it so difficult to install the watchOS 7 updates.
 
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TheGeneralist said:
Only the GPS versions (lacking Cellular) were limited to 8GB. The Cellular & GPS Version came with 16GB.
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Yet Apple has discontinued the LTE series 3 and currently only sells the GPS version on its website (and presumably at Apple Stores). They no longer sell the LTE series 3.
 
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My Series 5 ends the day around 40-50% still after nearly 18 months of use and that’s with about 13-15 hours on wrist per day. No need for Power Reserve mode for me. It’s a GPS only so I’m sure that helps the battery life.
 
peglegjack said:
Too bad there's literally no way to install if you have a 8GB Series 3 unless you re-pair the watch to your phone, and that's a world of hurt.
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I don't understand what people are talking about regarding this - I bought a brand new GPS Apple Watch Series 3 in November and have updated it twice since then with no issues at all. I guess I will see if this update causes the issue you're talking about when it becomes available and I try to install it.
 
myrtlebee said:
I don't understand what people are talking about regarding this - I bought a brand new GPS Apple Watch Series 3 in November and have updated it twice since then with no issues at all. I guess I will see if this update causes the issue you're talking about when it becomes available and I try to install it.
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The problem doesn't seem to affect every owner, just most.
 
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