watchOS 3.1.1 Update Reportedly Rolled Back After Apple Watch Bricking Issues

Advertisement
By Tasneem Akolawala | Updated: 14 December 2016 13:13 IST
Highlights
  • Many Apple Watch Series 2 devices got bricked
  • Apple has pulled back the watchOS 3.1.1 update
  • Affected smartwatches will need to be replaced.

Photo Credit: MacRumors

In a new development, Apple has reportedly rolled back the watchOS 3.1.1 update. Many users started reporting of bricked Apple Watch Series 2 (Review) devices, forcing Apple to pull the update.

Soon after the watchOS 3.1.1 update was released, many Apple Watch Series 2 users reported their devices were getting bricked. Apple is now said to have pulled back the update, and the watchOS 3.1.1 update is no longer available in the Watch app on the iPhone. The latest update is listed as watchOS 3.1 for those users who did not install and download watchOS 3.1.1 as soon as it released.

Advertisement

MacRumors reports that after installing watchOS 3.1.1, many Apple Watch Series 2 devices bricked, and the smartwatches are "displaying a red exclamation mark on the screen that instructs them to visit www.apple.com/help/watch."

When heading to the Apple Watch site, it advises you to do a force restart by long pressing the side button and the crown. This force restart is not working for users, and the site says that if this doesn't work then the smartwatch needs to be taken for service. All of these bricked Apple Watch devices will need a replacement as retail stores cannot service them as they are not allowed access to the diagnostic port on the smartwatches.

Advertisement

Apple has not responded as to why select devices are getting bricked, while some remain unaffected. Most of the users affected are Apple Watch Series 2 owners. It is likely that once the issue is solved, Apple will once again make watchOS 3.1.1 available. If you are one of the affected customers, head to the Apple Store to get your smartwatch replaced.

The watchOS 3.1.1 update brings more than 100 new emojis including shrug, facepalm, and fingers crossed. More diverse characters, new professions, and new emojis representing sports, food, and animals have been added. New professions include scientist, teacher, pilot and firefighter. watchOS 3.1.1 also introduces the ability to change skin tones when picking specific emoji characters.

 

Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.

Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. OnePlus N6x Design, Colour Options Teased Ahead of India Launch
  2. Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026 LIVE: What Samsung Might Launch Today
  3. These OnePlus Smartphones Could Receive the ColorOS 17 Update in India
  4. Here's How Much the Redmi Note 17 Could Cost in India
  5. Vivo S2 India Launch On the Horizon as Promotional Poster Leaks
  6. TSMC to Raise Chip Prices by 10 Percent Next Year: Report
  1. Redmi Note 17 Price in India and Key Specifications Tipped Ahead of Launch
  2. TSMC Plans Up to 10 Percent Chip Price Hike Amid Soaring Production Costs: Report
  3. Samsung to Reportedly Showcase Smart Glasses With Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 Chip at Galaxy Unpacked
  4. Vivo S2 India Launch Reportedly On the Horizon as Promotional Poster Leaks
  5. Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Event Today: How to Watch Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Watch 9 Launch Live
  6. Offline UPI Payments With NFC Support Could Launch in India Soon
  7. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra's Privacy Display Feature Gets a Major Upgrade in One UI 9 Beta
  8. OnePlus N6x Design, Colour Options Teased in New Marketing Material Ahead of Imminent Launch in India
  9. OnePlus 11, Nord 4, and Newer Models Tipped to Receive the Android 17-Based ColorOS 17 Update in India
  10. Redmi Note 17 Pro Max Appears on Thailand's NBTC Certification Database, Might Launch Soon
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.