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Apr 12, 2001
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Apple today released watchOS 8.4.2, a minor update to the watchOS 8 operating system that launched in September. watchOS 8.4.2 comes two weeks after the release of watchOS 8.4, an update that added a fix for an ongoing charging issue.

watchOS-8-on-Apple-Watch-feature.jpg

‌‌watchOS ‌8.4.2 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.

According to Apple's release notes for the update, watchOS 8.4.2 introduces unspecified bug fixes and security updates for the Apple Watch. There is no additional information available on the new software, but if we find out what's addressed, we'll update this article.

Article Link: Apple Releases watchOS 8.4.2 With Bug Fixes
 

Marswarrior462

macrumors regular
Sep 4, 2020
196
360
Calgary, AB, Canada
Does it fix the Wallet syncing issue where it erases all other cards except your debit card? That’s an issue I’ve had ever since watchOS 8.4 and that 8.4.1 didn’t fix. I wish I never installed that update
 

pdaholic

macrumors 68000
Jun 22, 2011
1,797
2,375
The last update really jacked my watch (7 series). Some days my watch battery is dead by 8p, and last night the screen stayed on full brightness the whole night after I put it on the (original Apple) charger. Hope this update fixes things. The Apple Watch software team needs to be shaken up a bit.
 
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jrath1

macrumors member
Jun 16, 2005
87
208
Hope this fixes my NHL team no longer showing up in the Siri watch face. ?

**After the update my NHL team returned to the Siri watch face. Hoping it stays this time.
 
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nattK

macrumors 6502a
Sep 17, 2014
679
1,664
The Upside Down
The last update really jacked my watch (7 series). Some days my watch battery is dead by 8p, and last night the screen stayed on full brightness the whole night after I put it on the (original Apple) charger. Hope this update fixes things. The Apple Watch software team needs to be shaken up a bit.
Yeah, I agree. watchOS 8 is probably the buggiest update in Apple Watch history. I'd actually prefer if they focused less on trying to add new features constantly and more on refining the software.
 

827538

Cancelled
Jul 3, 2013
2,322
2,833
I wish they would let us update without having to put the watch on the charger if we are on wifi and battery > 80%.
Agreed. I can update my MacBook and iPhone without being plugged in, why not my Watch?
 
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iamasmith

macrumors 6502a
Apr 10, 2015
805
386
Cheshire, UK
I’ve noticed this on various occasions.

Has Apple ever charged for a watchOS update? (Or any other OS update in the last 10 years for that matter). No.

Why point out that it’s available for “free” then? Very odd.
I think it's to remind the nostalgic of us in the bad old days when Windows CE PDAs were the only thing :p
 

jz0309

Contributor
Sep 25, 2018
8,453
21,700
SoCal
This update removed the unity face from my watch. It still shows on the watch app on the phone but I cannot apply it anymore.
Wtf?

Update: I deleted the unity face from the watch app, re-added it and its on the watch again… QA Apple????
 
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Phuz01

macrumors 6502
Oct 25, 2006
373
465
New York, NY
I hope this fixes the hand washing timer. My watch had my behaviors pretty well figured out until 8.4.1, and then it wouldn't start tracking hand washing until I was about 18 seconds into a vigorous scrub, or it would start tracking right away when I was washing dishes.
 
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Jaffa

macrumors newbie
Jun 30, 2007
18
35
Does it fix the Wallet syncing issue where it erases all other cards except your debit card? That’s an issue I’ve had ever since watchOS 8.4 and that 8.4.1 didn’t fix. I wish I never installed that update
Yes, it finally fixed it for me :)

I can confirm that this update, maybe only with 15.3.1, because it didn’t fix it until after I updated my phone; finally fixes the Wallet syncing issue!!!!
I installed the watchOS update first, and it fixed it without the iOS update. I didn't install the iOS update until a few hours later.
 

DeepIn2U

macrumors G5
May 30, 2002
12,599
6,752
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I wish they would let us update without having to put the watch on the charger if we are on wifi and battery > 80%.
Initializing the download works above 60% that I’ve found earlier today before updating my iphone, but placing on charger ensures you’re fully charged and ready to go.

I want better battery life on the S8 models and going forward. Full notifications, full 4hr workouts and still fully on displays and full 2 days without charging.
 

mbirth

macrumors newbie
Sep 11, 2016
16
2
For me, the Unity Lights watch face is completely gone from the watch. As if it never existed. Deleting it from the Watch app on the phone and adding it again does nothing. This is on an AW7 Nike edition. My wife's AW5 Nike edition also has the same issue.

I've made a separate thread about this here.
 
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