Apple has pulled its latest watchOS update (that's watchOS 5.1) after reports from some Watch owners that it was bricking the smartwatch.
A thread on Reddit and talk on Twitter highlighted that a small number of users had downloaded and installed watchOS 5.1 when the problems began. The Watch would get stuck on the Apple logo screen and restarting the Apple Watch and the connected iPhone apparently failed to resolve the issue.
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It seems the bug affected multiple Apple Watch models, including the Watch Series 4. If your Apple smartwatch has bricked and it's showing no signs of life, the best advice we can give is to get in touch with Apple support about it.
If you have downloaded watchOS 5.1 but haven't yet installed it, it's also probably a good idea too not install it. Apple is likely to be already working on a fix before it rolls out the update again to ensure this doesn't become a more widespread problem.
The watchOS 5.1 update promised new features like solid-color watch faces and support for Group FaceTime (audio only). It didn't, however, see the introduction of Apple's ECG feature, contrary to initial reports that the Watch Series 4-only feature would be added.
We know that beta versions of WatchOS, which are designed with Apple Watch developers in mind, have a habit of encountering issues similar to this. Still, it's surprising to see a consumer-ready update run into problems. Hopefully it won't be too long before the update is good to go again.
How we test
By Michael Sawh
Michael Sawh has been covering the wearable tech industry since the very first Fitbit landed back in 2011. Previously the resident wearable tech expert at Trusted Reviews, he also marshaled the features section of T3.com.
He also regularly contributed to T3 magazine when they needed someone to talk about fitness trackers, running watches, headphones, tablets, and phones.
Michael writes for GQ, Wired, Coach Mag, Metro, MSN, BBC Focus, Stuff, TechRadar and has made several appearances on the BBC Travel Show to talk all things tech.
Michael is a lover of all things sports and fitness-tech related, clocking up over 15 marathons and has put in serious hours in the pool all in the name of testing every fitness wearable going. Expect to see him with a minimum of two wearables at any given time.