Apple temporarily withdrew the watchOS 3.1.1 update for the Apple Watch, after complaints that it bricked Series 2 models. Currently, users will only find the watchOS 3.1 as the latest update available for the Apple Watch.
WatchOS 3.1.1 Update Pulled for Bricking the Apple Watch 2
MacRumors revealed that some Apple Watch Series 2 users reported that their devices were bricked after installing watchOS 3.1.1. Apple Watch 2 users who were affected with the issue only found a red exclamation mark on their display with an instruction to visit www.apple.com/help/watch.
Not all Apple Watch 2 models were affected, so the company has yet to determine what triggers the bricking. On the website, Apple Watch 2 owners were shown how to do a force restart of their device.
They need to hold down the side button together with the Digital Crown. Apple Watch 2 units that fail to restart this way have to be forwarded to designated outlets for service.
Affected Apple Watch 2 users found that resetting the device does not solve the issue. Some may need to have their bricked units completely replaced. However, Apple retail locations cannot service Apple Watch 2 units in store, because they require access to the diagnostic port, which is not normally done in-store.
Expected watchOS 3.1.1 Features and Fixes
9to5Mac stated that in the meantime, Apple has not yet indicated what may have caused the update problem among Apple Watch Series 2 devices. Users expect the watchOS 3.1.1 to undergo adjustments before going live again, or Apple may decide to skip it entirely and move on to the next patch.
The recent update was supposed to provide Unicode 9.0 emoji support, performance enhancements and bug fixes. It was also supposed to let Apple Watch 2 owners change skin tones when they pick specific emoji characters.
The watchOS 3.1.1 is a minor release after the watchOS 3.0, which was a major patch that became available in September 2016. It added speed to the Apple Watch 2 performance and apps, together with a simplified navigation setup.
The watchOS 3.1 update came in October, providing a fix for battery life issues and other adjustments. More updates and details are expected soon.
