Apple Releases watchOS 4.0.1 Update for Series 3 Models With Fix for Cellular Bug

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Apple today released a new software update for the Apple Watch, upgrading watchOS 4 to watchOS 4.0.1. The watchOS 4.0.1 update comes one week after Apple first released watchOS 4 to the public.

watchOS 4.0.1 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. Today's update is only for the Apple Watch Series 3 models.

apple watch edition gray ceramic
watchOS 4.0.1 addresses a serious Wi-Fi bug impacting the performance of the new LTE-enabled Apple Watch Series 3 models.

watchOS 4.0.1 fixes issues that in rare cases were causing Apple Watch to join unauthenticated (captive) Wi-Fi networks, such as those found in public places like coffee shops and hotels, which direct the user to a web page before the network can be accessed.

During the review period for the new Apple Watch, testers discovered that the device would frequently disconnect from LTE, choosing to connect to an unusable Wi-Fi hotspot instead of an LTE tower due to its preference for Wi-Fi to save battery.

The Apple Watch was mistakenly connecting to free Wi-Fi hotspots that have interstitial agreement pages to use the service. With no way to see the page or confirm, LTE Apple Watches couldn't actually use the Wi-Fi, but it still prevented them from connecting to LTE.

Apple said it was aware of the issue just before the Series 3 models launched, and said it was investigating a fix for a future software update, which is available today.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 6
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Top Rated Comments

anthonyjr Avatar
anthonyjr
48 months ago
I want them to fix this for the iPhone, actually. It seems to be commonplace for my iPhone to attempt connecting to open Xfinity Wifi networks while I'm driving, interrupting my music or podcasts during streaming while at traffic lights or moving through the city.

I wish they had a qualifier for low quality wifi networks on all of their devices.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
UL2RA Avatar
UL2RA
48 months ago
Will the Verge and other sites re-test the Watch and update their ratings?
The Verge doesn't usually update their reviews despite positive changes because they suck.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SoCalGadgetGuy Avatar
SoCalGadgetGuy
48 months ago
My S3 GPS+Cellular v4.01 final update/installation statistics ...

"Preparing..." stage on iPhone app: 10 minutes
"Verifying..." stage on iPhone app: 1 minute
"Installing..." stage on iPhone and watch: 16 minutes

Total Time Required: 27 minutes

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KPOM Avatar
KPOM
48 months ago
Will the Verge and other sites re-test the Watch and update their ratings?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ericg301 Avatar
ericg301
48 months ago
Anyone that has downloaded this, does it fix the issue with not getting stand reminders?
have you tried the wheelchair setting?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mlrollin91 Avatar
Mlrollin91
48 months ago
Anyone install this yet? Wondering how long it takes... the 4.0 install took half of forever, and if possible I'd like to squeeze it in during an hour when I'm already planning not to wear the watch.
How did 4.0 take a half hour on your S3 as it would have come with 4.0.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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