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I feel for all of you that had your watch bricked. I truly appreciate everyone posting as I was able to stop the update before it started installing on my watch thanks to this forum! I hope Apple comes up with a solution quickly for those affected.
 
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Yup, I’m bricked. Awaiting replacement to be shipped. What frustrates me is they 5.1 beta has been working perfectly fine for weeks.
 
Mine too. Apple is doing an Express Exchange. We will see what their definition of express is. They made put a hold on my credit card for the amount of the watch.

Express is them sending a new one out overnight or two-days. Considering the S4 is still new, it's likely to be a brand new one in the simple square packaging.
 
I am the idiot that was the first to post on here about my watch being bricked. My watch iis 20?days out so outside the14 day window but after talking to tech support, I went through to after sales sbd told them that because it was Apple that has damaged my watch through buggy software that I expect a brand new factory fresh replacement upon my return via ups. They agreed and a replacement watch is showing as processing with a two to three week window.
 



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.

applewatchseries4watchfaces-800x659.jpg

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: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]
[doublepost=1540969788][/doublepost]Mine was bricked. First time I have ever had a problem with an Apple Watch, after getting generation as they came out. I left it updating, checked back after an hour and found the Apple image on its screen - thought it must be close to finishing. Had other things to do and eventually came back more than an hour later - no change. Would not reset. Would not factory reset. Nothing. Quite a surprise!
 
I am the idiot that was the first to post on here about my watch being bricked. My watch iis 20?days out so outside the14 day window but after talking to tech support, I went through to after sales sbd told them that because it was Apple that has damaged my watch through buggy software that I expect a brand new factory fresh replacement upon my return via ups. They agreed and a replacement watch is showing as processing with a two to three week window.

Really unfortunate for you, especially being that you already had a defective Apple Watch before this happened the bricking update. I know you’re having to wait another 2 to 3 weeks for another watch to due the software issue. I know Apple isn’t perfect and neither is software, but this seems highly disappointing coming from Apple with the software update, even though I know they will rectify the issue one way or the other.
 
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The whole night it showed the apple logo (hello to burn in....).
I tried to reset it via pushing both buttons simultaniously.
Now it only shows a charging flash (red) next to the clock.
It changes to green with a ring around it if i put the watch back on the charger.

What to do now?
 
No issues with S3 and 5.1

To those who don’t have 5.1 yet, not to worry, you aren’t missing much. I’ve noticed really nothing new over the previous version. So 5.1 is nothing to get excited over

Okay three things:
(1) Is it only S4 AWs affected.
(2) I agree 5.1 doesn't seem any different.
(3) Any ideas why some S4s are bricked and others, like mine...40mm aluminium /Nike, are not?
 
In Switzerland Apple doesn't offer any replacement (Series 4 Nike+) ... they will send it to a repair center and I have to count on at least 10 days ...
I bought it at Apple online ... according to the agent on the phone I would might have better luck when I would have bought it at a retail store, cause then the retail store might have given some service which Apple apparently don't want overhere
 
To help determine what may have happened, here was my scenario (mine was fine)

S4 Nike + 44mm 5.1 beta 4
iPhone 8+ 12.1 beta 4

I removed both the watch and the phone beta profiles and rebooted.

Updated watch first to production 5.1 - very fast, about 10 mins.

However, observations:
Watch updated initially in 3 mins and on phone said fine, but Apple logo with no white marks for about 3 mins. Phone said update completed. then I got the passcode on watch and as usual unlocked and then the white marks started. The circle was filled in about 2 mins and passcode again. Watch fine. However, the phone showed then installing and was hung. As watch was ok, i exited from watch app and then re-opened and checked for updates, said was up to date 5.1

I then updated the phone from the beta and although it said installing 12.0, on a reboot it was 12.1

I have submitted this through the dev portal to Apple as a ticket - although all went well, it may help them determine why some were ok and others weren't. In software, although it seems luck played a part, there is normally a reason :)

Feel for you guys that have a brick now :(
 
Really unfortunate for you, especially being that you already had a defective Apple Watch before this happened the bricking update. I know you’re having to wait another 2 to 3 weeks for another watch to due the software issue. I know Apple isn’t perfect and neither is software, but this seems highly disappointing coming from Apple with the software update, even though I know they will rectify the issue one way or the other.
Yeah its frustrating. I have had phones since the 3G and iPad since the second gen. Add to that homepods and three generations of Apple TV and all without issues.
Never had to return anything.......but watches however...jeez. Three series 0's, 2 Series 2's, 2 series 3's and now awaiting my third series 4.o_O
 
Tried updating last night on my 10 day old series 4 Nike 44mm

Apple logo on for the last 12 hours

Called apple supoort- they escalated and will be ringing me later today.
 
I have compassion for those affected, but find myself never in between the fast upgraders.
That is: NEVER. NOT ANYTIME
 
My S4 LTE aluminium is bricked as well. Sent iPhone logs to Apple, and waiting for word back after the engineers take a look.

BTW, I've had an Apple Watch since it launched, and I've always updated the software the day it's released without issue.
 
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Add another one. I am also bricked. Series 4 SS LTE. It is now a very expensive paper weight.
 
In Switzerland Apple doesn't offer any replacement (Series 4 Nike+) ... they will send it to a repair center and I have to count on at least 10 days ...
I bought it at Apple online ... according to the agent on the phone I would might have better luck when I would have bought it at a retail store, cause then the retail store might have given some service which Apple apparently don't want overhere

If you’ve not already sent it in I’d take it to an apple store anyway. Employees there have latitude to make calls like whether to just replace yours.
 
40mm gps space grey-my update went without a hitch. My sympathies to those who were bricked.
 
I'm also bricked. I spoke to an Apple support person in Europe this morning saying that their engineering team are working on the problem and he will get in touch with me when a solution to the issue has been found. No offer of replacement or repair yet.

Mine's a 44mm GPS space-grey Series 4. I was on iOS 12.1 at the time of the upgrade.
 
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