watchOS 3.1.1 Update Reportedly Rolled Back After Apple Watch Bricking Issues

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.

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.

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.