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watchOS 5.1 - I think my watch is bricked
- Thread starter Bazooka-joe
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Return box arrives via FedEx tomorrow. If I send it back immediately I could see a replacement next week, assuming they don’t sit on it. Hopefully the update issues are resolved soon.
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Just my own method, but I never update on ‘Day one’. I usually wait at least a few days to make sure there’s nothing detrimental that would prevent me from using the Apple Watch, but I also understand it’s random and not everybody would be affected either by the update.
Some background:
Using an iPhone Xs that was updated to 12.1 this morning.
Watch was the 44mm Aluminum GPS+Cell restored from an Series 3 42mm SS GPS+Cell backup this morning new out of the box. The restore was peachy fine, the update to 5.1 was not.
This new one I’ll setup as new and not update until Apple makes some kind of public statement or lets us know it's safe to proceed.
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I take the same approach with Major updates but don't stick to that quite as much with incremental updates, perhaps this should serve as a reminder that I should. Let's hope this gets software issue gets resolved quickly by Apple and the folks who've got bricked watches get them back sooner rather than later. Really appreciate the folks who tried and reported issues as it saved countless individuals from the same unfortunate fate.
I bought my S4, 44mm, SS today and did the update and also bricked. Called Apple support and was told to go to Apple store under compassionate terms to have a replacement. Did that and updated to 5.1 in the store with no problem. I agree with many above DO NOT UPDATE ON DAY ONE unless you are in the 14 day window and purchased direct from the store so you can walk right in for a replacement. No updates on day one anymore. I bricked an iPad Pro when they came out with iOS 10 but at least you can connect to iTunes and factory reset!
EDIT: There was another guy that showed up in the store that also bought today and bricked as well. He didn't have the box with him so couldn't replace on the spot. We were chatting away!
EDIT: There was another guy that showed up in the store that also bought today and bricked as well. He didn't have the box with him so couldn't replace on the spot. We were chatting away!
I've had luck at my apple store in DC getting them to replace the watch in-store. I had my watch for just over 30-days but because of the expected long turnaround time from AppleCare+ they swapped it in-store. The store wasn't even aware that 5.1 was bricking watches until I brought it to their attention.
Apple has just pulled 5.1 update.
I have a Series 2/42mm and a Series 4/44mm/cellular. Both SSSB...if that matters.
iPhone updated to 12.1 today.
Both watches accepted the 5.1update with no issues about 45 minutes ago.
Reference: I always set up my watches as new.
iPhone updated to 12.1 today.
Both watches accepted the 5.1update with no issues about 45 minutes ago.
Reference: I always set up my watches as new.
Is this normal? Apple Support is having me send my bricked Watch in too. They emailed me a link for me to submit “payment information and continue with the repair process”. On the page the link goes to it has the figure of $786.40. I’m thinking, whoa! My watch is a 44 aluminum. I could buy it now from Apple for $499. I could see them asking for credit card information should they determine that they would need to charge someone, but that is a crazy amount to put on a page that then has a Contine button, which I will not press. The Watch should still be under warranty; I just got it in early October. And it's pretty obvious now that this was their screw-up. Is this odd?
(Yes, I plan on calling them tomorrow to ask, but I was really curious about this. Is this figure the ceiling of something they need to have authorization to proceed. It still seems absurd.)
(Yes, I plan on calling them tomorrow to ask, but I was really curious about this. Is this figure the ceiling of something they need to have authorization to proceed. It still seems absurd.)
Sorry this is happening. I checked my phone and it said my "5.0.1 - Software is up to date," then came here and saw this. Maybe the update was taken offline?
Every person who contacts Apple gets a different response. Some get a replacement sent immediately, some have to send the old one in and wait for a replacement, and some get your experience. It totally depends on the person you talked to and how they handle the case.
I had a call, senior tech asked me some questions sent to him by the engineers. He’s scheduled a callback for tomorrow.
No replacement was mentioned whatsoever. Makes me wonder.....would there be any possible way to resolve this issue without having to do a replacement? Seems like that’s not possible as there’d be no way for an end user to kick the phone out of that boot loop.....
No replacement was mentioned whatsoever. Makes me wonder.....would there be any possible way to resolve this issue without having to do a replacement? Seems like that’s not possible as there’d be no way for an end user to kick the phone out of that boot loop.....
Macrumors is reporting the update has been pulled for those asking.
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/10/30/watchos-5-1-update-bricking-some-apple-watches/
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/10/30/watchos-5-1-update-bricking-some-apple-watches/