Don’t start the installation if the update is pending

Oct 31, 2018 04:19 GMT  ·  By

Apple has just pulled watchOS 5.1 after acknowledging a bug that bricks the Apple Watch, with several models currently being impacted.

According to user reports, affected Apple Watch units are getting stuck on the Apple logo after installing the update. The Watch no longer boots and stay there indefinitely, and for the time being, a workaround that would help repair the bug does not exist.

Apple Watch Series 4 and Series 3 are most often hit by the issue, and we’re seeing only isolated reports of the same bug experienced on earlier models.

On the other hand, it’s worth noting that the watchOS 5.1 update installed correctly on the Apple Watch Series 3 units here at Softpedia, as you can see in the screenshot attached to the article.

Apple exchanging bricked units

It’s not known what’s causing the bug and why only some units are affected, but Apple has decided to play the safe card and suspend the rollout completely. For the time being, nobody can download watchOS 5.1, and users who have already received it and the update is pending are recommended to avoid starting the installation for now.

Users who have already contacted Apple Support are being offered a new Apple Watch, which could be an indication that fixing the issue isn’t exactly an easy process. Some are being told to give more time to the device to boot, though by the looks of things, this doesn’t make any difference even several hours after the reboot.

It remains to be seen how Apple will resolve the issue for all impacted customers, but for now, it looks like a software fix may not do the trick for everyone.

Users whose Apple Watches can no longer boot are recommended to reach out to Apple Support for additional guidance on how to get their devices working again.