watchOS 5.1 Update Bricking Some Apple Watches [Update: Apple Temporarily Pulls watchOS 5.1]

[MacRumors]

It appears the watchOS 5.1 update that was released this morning is causing problems for some Apple Watch owners. Multiple MacRumors readers have had issues installing the new software and are reporting that the update has bricked their devices.

Customers who are affected are seeing their Apple Watches stuck at the Apple logo loading screen after initiating the watchOS 5.1 update.

Some customers who contacted Apple were initially told that the update could take a few hours, but multiple people have seen no progress after three or more hours. From MacRumors reader Bazooka-joe:

So my series 4 sssb has been stuck on installing 5.1 For an hour and a half now with nothing showing on the watch except the bright white Apple icon. Spoken to Apple Support who said that they are getting calls from other people experiencing the same issue and they have advised me to leave it for 2 to 3 hours. WTF Why would an update that supposed to take 10 minutes to install take 2 to 3 hours

It appears affected users have the Apple Watch Series 4, which is the newest Apple Watch that was released in September.

Some MacRumors readers have said that Apple is going to be shipping out replacement watches for those who have been affected.

Not all customers who have an Apple Watch Series 4 have had problems installing the watchOS 5.1 update, but as a cautionary measure, it's worthwhile to hold off downloading and installing the software until Apple pushes a fix. Apple has not pulled the watchOS 5.1 update as of yet.

Update: Apple has temporarily pulled the watchOS 5.1 update.

Article Link: watchOS 5.1 Update Bricking Some Apple Watches [Update: Apple Temporarily Pulls watchOS 5.1]

 

[Bazooka-joe]

What is strange is that some s4 users are having no issues where others have

 

[Lancetx]

Weird. This was by far the fastest and smoothest Apple Watch update I've ever seen. Took all of 10 minutes tops from start to finish on my Series 4. Nothing like the sometimes 1-2 hours I've seen in the past on my previous S0 & S1 watches.

 

[CMoore515]

All good on my Series 4. Took about 15 minutes.

 

[neoelectronaut]

Gonna wait to get in my nightly exercise before I try to update I guess.

 

[zorinlynx]

Can anyone explain why Apple didn't implement a DFU restore procedure for the watches? It shouldn't be possible for these devices to brick.

They should have implemented plugging the charger puck into a computer and using iTunes to restore it, just like you can an iOS device.

 

[Anijake]

mine is dead, chatting with Apple support now.

 

[Trik]

Can anyone explain why Apple didn't implement a DFU restore procedure for the watches? It shouldn't be possible for these devices to brick.

They should have implemented plugging the charger puck into a computer and using iTunes to restore it, just like you can an iOS device.

The charging puck does just that, it charges. There isn't some magical data transfer going on there unfortunately.

 

[archvile]

Apparently, the new brick emoji is the cause of this.

Joking aside, my S2 took about an hour to complete this X.1 update; I don’t think the 5.0 update took that long.

 

[martyjmclean]

Good to know, I’ll hold off updating.

 

[KeepCalmPeople]

And today was shaping up to be a good day for Apple...

 

[macduke]

I often say this each time an update comes out: WAIT A FEW HOURS. But there is always some jerkoff in the comments who thinks they know better and says that there is nothing to be worried about. Just wait a few hours! Patience.

 

[snow755]

One thing you guys can try is too update too IOS 12.1 1st and then update your watch OS and see how that goes

 

[jav6454]

That is why for Apple Watch updates I never update for an entire week after the software is released. Even more so knowing my device is a Stainless Steel which is already hard to come by. Imaging replacements after a blunder like this.

 

[Trik]

One thing you guys can try is too update too IOS 12.1 1st and then update your watch OS and see how that goes

That is exactly what I did unfortunately.

 

[Sterne]

I’ve downloaded the update to my phone but I have not installed it on the watch yet - is there a way to delete the update so it does not go to the watch?

​

 

[johnyslats]

No problems here (S4 GPS only, Nike +)

 

[archvile]

One thing you guys can try is too update too IOS 12.1 1st and then update your watch OS and see how that goes

You have to update iOS first for it to pull the new corresponding Watch update. It has been this way since watchOS 1.0. You can’t update to watchOS 5.1 until you update to iOS 12.1.

 

[Trik]

You have to update iOS first for it to pull the new corresponding Watch update. It has been this way since watchOS 1.0. You can’t update to watchOS 5.1 until you update to iOS 12.1.

Which is exactly what I did, and I've got a bricked Apple Watch S4.

EDIT: Nevermind, I see what you're saying now, you're saying it isn't possible to do it the other way anyway.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

I often say this each time an update comes out: WAIT A FEW HOURS. But there is always some jerkoff in the comments who thinks they know better and says that there is nothing to be worried about. Just wait a few hours! Patience.

But if we all take your advice then no one will know if there is a problem

 

[Jeff Barlow]

I received a brand new Apple Watch 4 today, set it up, and then went to update. It never left the charger stand and was stuck on the Apple logo for three hours.

I contacted Apple Support and they put me in the standard replacement track; ship a box to me, I send it in, they send me a new one. Could be a week to ten days.

 

[macduke]

But if we all take your advice then no one will know if there is a problem

No. You’re the informed forum member. There are always regular non-tech people out there who update.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

My Apple Watch 3 took a while to install. At first it said two hours, but I think it actually took about 30 to 40 minutes.
The update didn't brick it.

 

[minicard]

Mine is bricked. Just saw this article after attempting multiple resets.

 

[KeepCalmPeople]

I received a brand new Apple Watch 4 today, set it up, and then went to update. It never left the charger stand and was stuck on the Apple logo for three hours.

I contacted Apple Support and they put me in the standard replacement track; ship a box to me, I send it in, they send me a new one. Could be a week to ten days.

Wow - that really takes the excitement out of the 'new shiny' experience!