Apple Releases watchOS 3.1.1 With Bug Fixes, Performance Improvements and New Emoji

Apple today released a new software update for the Apple Watch, upgrading watchOS 3.1 to watchOS 3.1.1. The watchOS 3.1.1 update comes more than two months after thewatchOS 3 was provided to the public in September and marks the second update to the operating system. watchOS 3.1.1 has been in testing since October 31.

watchOS 3.1.1 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General -> Software Update. To install the update, the Apple Watch must have 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the charger, and it must be in range of the iPhone. An iPhone running iOS 10 or later is required to download the new software, but it is available for all Apple Watch models.

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No major outward-facing changes were discovered in watchOS 3.1.1 during the beta testing period, suggesting it focuses on bug fixes and performance improvements. watchOS 3.1.1 does support the new Unicode 9 emoji that have been introduced in iOS 10.2 and it includes a new feature for changing the skin tone of emoji. A full list of bug fixes is below:


- Fixes an issue that could prevent contact names from appearing in the Messages app and notifications
- Fixes an issue that could impact ability to respond to notifications
- Resolves an issue where the Stocks complication may not update on the watch face
- Fixes an issue that may prevent the Activity rings from displaying on the Activity watch faces
- Fixes an issue that prevented the dials on an analog watch face from appearing after changing the temperature unit in the Weather app
- Resolves an issue that could cause the Maps app to stay launched after navigation has ended
- Resolves an issue where the incorrect date could be displayed in the Calendar app month view

watchOS 3 completely overhauls the interface on the Apple Watch, introducing a dedicated app dock, instant launch apps, new watch faces, and new complication options. There are new Activity sharing features, a "Breathe" app guides users through deep breathing sessions, and an SOS feature can automatically call emergency service.

For more details on what's new in watchOS 3, make sure to check out our watchOS 3 roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

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Top Rated Comments

The Game 161 Avatar
110 months ago
please make this fix my apple watch just randomly just switching off and on again....
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Runkel Avatar
110 months ago
I don't even get excited about OS Updates anymore. It's all about emoji.
BS!

It's all about security updates and bug fixes, and that should be something you have to be excited about. No other smartphone/tablet company will provide updates that fast to the entire product lineup.

Emojis are something, Apple will implement referencing to the Unicode Standard. They have to implement them.
You should blame the media, that they will only talk about Emoji and not about fixed security, bugs and features.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonnysods Avatar
110 months ago
I want to update this but I think I'll wait to hear how you guys out there are experiencing it. I'm so satisfied with 3.1 I don't want to break it! Battery life is off the hook.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jwm Avatar
110 months ago
I hope this doesn't screw-up the great battery life. I'm getting almost 3 days at the moment.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coolbreeze Avatar
110 months ago
It takes like an hour on the series 2. It isn't "stuck." Just go outside and watch the birds while it does its thing.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wolfshades Avatar
110 months ago
Battery life (in 3.1) is off the hook.
Man, is it ever. This is my first Apple Watch and I can't believe how much battery is still left at the end of the day. Consistently above 50%, often above 70%.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)