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Apr 12, 2001
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Following the release of watchOS 3.1.1 yesterday afternoon, a few early-installers of the latest operating system for the Apple Watch have found that their devices become bricked during the update process. Users in the MacRumors forums, email tipsters, and quite a few Redditors have begun reporting a red exclamation mark on their Apple Watch's screen that guides them to www.apple.com/help/watch.

Most have discovered they now need to send the device back to Apple so it can be replaced because Apple retail locations can't service the problem in-store. To fix the issue, the Apple Watch has to be restored through the device's small diagnostic port, which Apple Stores don't cover.

apple-watch-brick-800x495.jpg
Image via Redditor Moust4ki


The majority of users appear to be using an Apple Watch Series 2, and issues first began with reports of the watchOS 3.1.1 update getting stuck on the circular progress bar. A few bricking cases appear to be because some users were force-restarting the Apple Watch during the update process because of the progress bar being stuck in one place for upwards of a few hours. However, most cases appear to lack a specific reason as to why the Apple Watch bricked during the update, with those users reporting not having touched or interacted with the device while it was charging and updating.

Now, users affected by bricked Apple Watches can either visit an Apple Store so the location can ship off the device to be replaced by a new Apple Watch, or they can visit Apple's support site to begin the exchange process and ship it off themselves. The Series 0 and Series 1 Apple Watches appear to have gotten through the watchOS 3.1.1 update with less of a hassle, although some admitted the update did "take a long time" and needed to be installed twice in one case.

Apple has yet to address the watchOS 3.1.1 bricking issue, but it should be noted that there are also plenty of Series 2 owners who have made it out the other side of the update without any problems. Still, if you're concerned about a potential bricked Apple Watch, it appears that the best course of action is to stay on a version of watchOS of 3.1 or below for the time being. Yesterday, Apple also released iOS 10.2 and tvOS 10.1, both introducing the all-new TV app to users.

Article Link: watchOS 3.1.1 Bricking Some Apple Watch Series 2 Models
 
Duh. I mean it's standard now for some Apple update to brick some device. I don't update on Day One anymore, especially for nothing more than an Emoji. I just wonder what non-tech people think when their device is bricked. I mean I know a lot of people that would totally freak out. This isn't the way to build or sustain Apple's brand. There isn't even the excuse that it was an old device since it's the current flagship AW.
 
Got a Twitter notification about this on my Series 2 watch that was updated to 3.1.1 yesterday. Whew. I never learn that I should not update the moment Apple releases a new version. Good thing my Apple Watch is working normally.
 
Oh damn. I have downloaded the update but I haven't updated since my watch's battery has not depleted. Does this mean I won't have a charged watch until Apple solves this?
 
This is why I wait a little while to upgrade. The series 0 didn't seem to be having any serious issues so I went ahead this morning and it took way longer than normal. It also kept disconnecting during the download process where it loads the firmware onto the Watch using the Watch app on the iPhone.

Now that I'm thinking about it, I wish it had bricked my Watch because I've got a small hairline crack down the right side of it that is barely visible but I'm worried about it. It happened when my arm brushed against the refrigerator door handle. Least durable Watch ever! Maybe I shouldn't wait to upgrade and I'll luck out and brick my Watch someday?
 
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