Apple Releases watchOS 8.5.1 With Security Updates and Bug Fixes

[MacRumors]

Apple today released watchOS 8.5.1, a minor update to the watchOS 8 operating system that came out in September. watchOS 8.5.1 comes two weeks after the launch of watchOS 8.5.

‌‌watchOS ‌8.5.1 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 8.5.1 adds security updates and bug fixes for the Apple Watch.

Article Link: Apple Releases watchOS 8.5.1 With Security Updates and Bug Fixes

 

[nmcordeiro]

Hopefully this fixes the Series 7 charging issue. I can have my watch on the charger for 3 hours and only go up 10%.

 

[Guischmitt]

Any words on the fast charging issue?

 

[Gator5000e]

Waiting for an option to clear all text message in masse from the watch. The process now is arduous at best.

 

[Nabby]

Waiting for an option to clear all text message in masse from the watch. The process now is arduous at best.

You're being too kind with that description, even using "at best". Least user friendly process I can recall having to use. And coming from a company that managed to make messaging so easy my mom could do it without asking for help tells me that they could make it SO much better.

 

[gomichaelgo]

I don't see this available.

 

[SLSWE]

Any words on the fast charging issue?

I still have the same issues after the update.

 

[fwmireault]

I still have the same issues after the update.

I can confirm it's also still the same for me. It's a huge bummer and I wished Apple would have been quicker to fix this issue.

 

[BuffaloTF]

Waiting for an option to clear all text message in masse from the watch. The process now is arduous at best.

I’d just be happy if what I delete on my phone mirrored over to the watch. It does for every other device from iPad to Mac… just add this in already.

 

[DinkThifferent]

Not suffering from the charging issue, hopefully other people's series 7 issues are fixed with this update.

Also tvOS 15.4.1 has been released!

 

[lordofthereef]

I am still rocking a SS series 3, and it is starting to show its age with OS 8.x. I have been getting texts late, they don't show as read if I read them on my phone for hours/days/EVER? Might be time to retire it. It has had a long run and still lasts me all day. I'd say that 1200+ days of daily use is a life well lived.

Realize that's maybe a bit off topic, but the headline made me think of my recent frustrations.

 

[PhoenixDown]

Might be time to retire it.

Are you planning to get another SS Apple Watch?

I'm feeling the same about my aluminum v3 and am considering getting a (hopefully 8) SS model.

 

[Buran]

Hearing Devices control is still broken, and Carrot Weather still insists I'm not using its complication even when I am. I'm not sure what this actually fixes.

Needs a .2 update.

 

[iStorm]

Waiting for an option to clear all text message in masse from the watch. The process now is arduous at best.

You might already know this, but the watch only keeps the last 30 days of messages. Because of this, I’ve stopped managing messages on my watch since they’ll eventually get cleared out anyway.

I agree though, there needs to be better syncing with the phone.

 

[gtg465x]

Are you planning to get another SS Apple Watch?

I'm feeling the same about my aluminum v3 and am considering getting a (hopefully 8) SS model.

I just upgraded from a Series 3 Space Black SS to a Series 7. I had the Series 3 for 4.5 years, and was planning on getting an aluminum this time and upgrading more often, like every 2-3 years. I’ve always had black Apple Watches and wanted a light color this time for a change, so I ordered a Starlight Series 7 thinking it looked silver enough in pictures and in the Apple Store. Unfortunately, when I got it in my house, I realized it was more gold than I thought, and I didn’t really like it. I ended up returning it and going for a Series 7 Titanium. Really love the look, reduced weight compared to SS, and I like the peace of mind in having the practically scratch proof sapphire screen, but I guess I’m back on the 4-5 year upgrade path since I can’t justify paying this much every 2-3 years. Will either kick myself if Apple has a breakthrough this year or next, or will love myself if Apple Watch only gets relatively minor updates over the next few years.

 

[Jim Lahey]

Waiting for an option to clear all text message in masse from the watch. The process now is arduous at best.

Or better yet, if you have the option enabled in iPhone settings, just have them sync over iCloud like every other device Apple makes. The act of laboriously deleting them one-by-one at a later time just rubs salt in the wound. It's absolutely laughable that they still haven't sorted this out after many generations of both hardware and software.

On the whole, Apple updates these days feel like they're just papering over the cracks and sticking their fingers in leaking holes while dozens of unfathomable design choices go stubbornly unaddressed for years at a time. I sometimes have to wonder if anyone of influence in Apple actually uses their devices.

 

[mrjackal]

It would be nice if they FINALLY fixed the issue with third-party chargers. My 3-in-1 stand worked just fine and cut down on a lot of cord clutter before this WatchOS ruined it. Hey Apple, let’s get back to getting the basics right!

 

[ivanpasic]

For those of you who are saying the 8.5.1 update did not fix charging with the Belkin 3-in-1 charger, did you also update your iPhone to 15.4.1? For me the issue ***seems*** to be fixed. I am am saying this cautiously since I only charged my watch once since the update and it did charge seemingly fast. Before the update my watch would not even charge at all on the mentioned charger.

 

[PhoenixDown]

I guess I’m back on the 4-5 year upgrade path since I can’t justify paying this much every 2-3 years.

That's exactly where I'm at!!

 

[Agile55]

iP13 Pro M, Pad & AW7 all on their current OS's since yesterday & the quick charging puck that came w/ the AW7 isn't quick charging, am I alone after the 8.5.1 update?

 

[ivanpasic]

iP13 Pro M, Pad & AW7 all on their current OS's since yesterday & the quick charging puck that came w/ the AW7 isn't quick charging, am I alone after the 8.5.1 update?

8.5 fast charging not working on Series 7 with third party dock?

I updated both my phone and my watch, waited until I was in the 20’s for battery level, and put it on the Belkin fast charger (stand-alone, not 3-in-1), and it stayed at the same level for 30 minutes. I restarted it and put it on the Apple fast charger and it was full in 35 minutes. I did...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Agile55]

Thx for that but note in my post I'm current on all the OS's & using the current S7 APPL puck.

 

[ivanpasic]

Thx for that but note in my post I'm current on all the OS's & using the current S7 APPL puck.

If you read the thread, there are actually users who report issues with the original S7 Apple puck too.

 

[Agile55]

I noted that but given the threads title I felt this thread was more relevant, just disregard my previous question.

 

[John.B]

For those of you who are saying the 8.5.1 update did not fix charging with the Belkin 3-in-1 charger, did you also update your iPhone to 15.4.1? For me the issue ***seems*** to be fixed. I am am saying this cautiously since I only charged my watch once since the update and it did charge seemingly fast. Before the update my watch would not even charge at all on the mentioned charger.

I have the Belkin Boost Charge Pro Portable Fast Charger (link) that’s been slow to charge initially (no matter the charge level), but then picks up speed. I’ll report back later today if 8.5.1 makes any difference on the AW7…