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tywebb13

macrumors 68040
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Apr 21, 2012
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Apple have an accessory which can connect the apple watch to a computer so that it can be restored via itunes. Alas it's not for sale to the public yet. But mfc made a similar device called the ibus which does the same thing. Unfortunately the ibus is only available for the series 1 so far:

https://www.mfcbox.com/shop/ibus-data-cable-for-iwatch-s1/

I'm not going to buy it because I only have the original apple watch and it won't work with that. It won't work with a series 2 either.

Anyway here is a youtube video on how to use the ibus with a series 1 apple watch:

(note it doesn't allow embedding so you have to click "Watch this video on YouTube")



EDIT: It is now also available for the series 0 and 2 - see next post for details.
 
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They have now made an ibus for the series 2 and series 0 apple watches.

I still haven't upgraded my apple watch, but have just bought this now because it works with the series 0 now.

Here is the version for series 0 and 1: https://www.mfcbox.com/shop/ibus-data-cable-for-iwatch-s1/

Here is the version for series 2: https://www.mfcbox.com/shop/ibus-s2-tool-for-apple-iwatch-s2-38mm-42mm/

I have already downloaded the appropriate ipsw for my apple watch.

Here is a new video on it:


That's what I've been waiting for ever since I got my apple watch!

Better late than never.

It's a bit expensive though. I don't care. I want to support the people who make this stuff. I reckon it's pretty cool.
 
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I should point out too that the reason that there has to be a separate series 2 version is that the series 0 and 1 require a 6 pin connector whereas the series 2 requires a 5 pin connector.
 
So would this allow someone who did not buy a Nike watch the ability to flash their watch with the firmware that includes the Nike watch faces?
 
So would this allow someone who did not buy a Nike watch the ability to flash their watch with the firmware that includes the Nike watch faces?

You'll need a jailbroken iphone to do that if you follow the procedure here: http://www.idownloadblog.com/2017/04/03/hermes-nike-watch-face-apple-watch/

The ibus could allow you to downgrade the apple watch in case you need to in order for the jailbreak method to work though. Apparently it won't work on the latest watch os.

My interest in this however is just to be able to restore the apple watch via itunes, just as we can with ios devices and the atv.

Until the ibus was invented this hidden feature of itunes to restore apple watches was only available to apple employees.
 
So long as the ipsw is still signed by apple, you can downgrade to it.
 
what happens when Apple changes something to stop this from working. I can see them doing that.

They'd be shooting themselves in the foot if they do.

The functionality exists because sometimes an apple watch may end up in a state which will require it to be fully restored with the ipsw file - just as sometimes ios devices and atvs do.

They allow the public to do these restores themselves for ios devices and atvs - and I have had to do this several times myself for both ios devices and atvs.

This is pretty easy for these because the cables to connect those devices to the computer are readily available.

It is not so easy for the apple watch. So the official advice from apple is that if the apple watch needs to be restored via the ipsw file, take it to an apple store and they can do it for you. They have had the cable ever since the apple watch was first released - but don't sell it to the public.

So until recently that was the only option. But now with the ibus you can connect it to the computer and restore it yourself without having to go to the apple store.

If apple remove the ability to do a full restore with ipsw files for the apple watch and if the watch gets into a state which would otherwise require such a restore, then the only other option would be to replace the watch, a significantly more costly option for apple. Hence I very much doubt if they will go down that path.
 
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They'd be shooting themselves in the foot if they do.

The functionality exists because sometimes an apple watch may end up in a state which will require it to be fully restored with the ipsw file - just as sometimes ios devices and atvs do.

They allow the public to do these restores themselves for ios devices and atvs - and I have had to do this several times myself for both ios devices and atvs.

This is pretty easy for these because the cables to connect those devices to the computer are readily available.

It is not so easy for the apple watch. So the official advice from apple is that if the apple watch needs to be restored via the ipsw file, take it to an apple store and they can do it for you. They have had the cable ever since the apple watch was first released - but don't sell it to the public.

So until recently that was the only option. But now with the ibus you can connect it to the computer and restore it yourself without having to go to the apple store.

If apple remove the ability to do a full restore with ipsw files for the apple watch and if the watch gets into a state which would otherwise require such a restore, then the only other option would be to replace the watch, a significantly more costly option for apple. Hence I very much doubt if they will go down that path.

I LOVE the idea of the iBus BUT I wish Apple would put out the files themselves. I'm not happy having to trust someone else's file...
 
Apple have an accessory which can connect the apple watch to a computer so that it can be restored via itunes. Alas it's not for sale to the public yet. But mfc made a similar device called the ibus which does the same thing. Unfortunately the ibus is only available for the series 1 so far:

https://www.mfcbox.com/shop/ibus-data-cable-for-iwatch-s1/

I'm not going to buy it because I only have the original apple watch and it won't work with that. It won't work with a series 2 either.

Anyway here is a youtube video on how to use the ibus with a series 1 apple watch:

(note it doesn't allow embedding so you have to click "Watch this video on YouTube")



EDIT: It is now also available for the series 0 and 2 - see next post for details.

thanks for talking about ibus and mfc dongle :)


I LOVE the idea of the iBus BUT I wish Apple would put out the files themselves. I'm not happy having to trust someone else's file...

thanks for your interesting , about the ipsw file, we will send by email to someone already bought.
well, we have encrypted the original ipsw for windows users who use mfc software.

Interested in how fast the watch charges using the diagnostic port

Well, this can be done. maybe in future we will going to do that , via ibus can charging , but very slow, due to that not developed for battery recharging .


Thanks this great forum from MFC TEAM !


Br.,

Denis
 
If apple remove the ability to do a full restore with ipsw files for the apple watch and if the watch gets into a state which would otherwise require such a restore, then the only other option would be to replace the watch, a significantly more costly option for apple. Hence I very much doubt if they will go down that path.

Couldn't they fairly easily (not cheaply) bake into a software update, a requirement for authenticating the presence of a certain chip in the cable, and then proceed to replace all of their own cables (rendering this one obsolete)?
 
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Dude if some ibus developers see this hope they make some activation code in they product i brought this product from local dealer and i already send message to developer of ibus but they not give me access to download ipsw what suck products . Push buyer to buy only using they web . In my country to import this product will mush me to wait around a month that the reason why i buy from local deler and my local dealer are suck not give me help just said i must ask in gsm forum i just hope there are some user from ibus s1 who have os for apple watch series0 1.2 want to share their file so my apple watch can resurrect from 6 month sleep
Z
Is some body can help send the link to my e-mail tonz.sutanto@gmail.com. thank you for some one can help me
 
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