Apple Releases watchOS 8.1.1 With Fix for Apple Watch Series 7 Charging Issue

Apple today released watchOS 8.1.1, a minor update to the watchOS 8 operating system that came out in September. watchOS 8.1.1 comes three weeks after the launch of watchOS 8.1, an update that added SharePlay Fitness+ group workouts and other features.

watchOS 8 on Apple Watch feature
‌‌watchOS ‌8.1.1 can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the ‌‌‌‌‌iPhone‌‌‌‌‌. watchOS 8.1.1 is only available for the Apple Watch Series 7.

According to Apple's release notes, the watchOS 8.1.1 update addresses an issue that could cause Apple Watch Series 7 models not to charge as expected for some users. Some Apple Watch Series 7 owners have noticed slow charging speeds for their devices, and this update should fix the bug causing the problem.

Related Roundup: watchOS 26
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

streaming black friday 2025

Black Friday Streaming Deals Include Big Savings on Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV, and More

Monday November 24, 2025 8:03 am PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Three Breakthrough Features

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include three standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...
apple store down feature

Here's Why the Apple Store is Going Down

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:01 pm PST by
Apple's online store is going down for a few hours on a rolling country-by-country basis right now, but do not get your hopes up for new products. Apple takes its online store down for a few hours ahead of Black Friday every year to tease/prepare for its annual gift card offer with the purchase of select products. The store already went down and came back online in Australia and New Zealand, ...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
General Apps Messages Redux

Singapore Orders Changes to iMessage by December

Tuesday November 25, 2025 6:39 am PST by
Singapore has ordered Apple to block or filter messages on iMessage that impersonate government agencies, requiring the company to implement new anti-spoofing protections by December as part of efforts to curb rising online scams, the Straits Times reports. Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that it had issued an Implementation Directive to Apple under the Online Criminal Harms...
General Black Friday Deals 25 Red

Apple Black Friday Deals Available Now on AirPods, iPads, Accessories, and More

Friday November 21, 2025 8:48 am PST by
We're only a few days away from Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
General Black Friday Deals 25 Red Green

The 30+ Best Black Friday Apple Deals on AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and More

Thursday November 27, 2025 6:46 am PST by
Black Friday is just a few hours away, and as always this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Crease-Free iPhone Fold on Track for 2026 Launch as Development Advances

Monday November 24, 2025 10:25 am PST by
Apple is making progress on the development of the book-style foldable iPhone expected in 2026, according to a report from Chinese site UDN. The device has reportedly entered the engineering validation stage, and Apple is gearing up for mass production. Citing supply chain sources, UDN says that Apple has solved "the crease problem" that has plagued most foldable smartphones, and the...

Top Rated Comments

TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
53 months ago
Thank you, Apple for this update.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fc4090 Avatar
53 months ago
I believe this update is only for the Apple Watch 7 GPS+Cellular models. OP please correct the posting details.

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TH]Name and information link[/TH]

[TH]Available for[/TH]

[TH]Release date[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]watchOS 8.1.1[/TD]

[TD]Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS + Cellular)[/TD]
[TD]18 Nov 2021[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jclo Avatar
53 months ago
This is only for the Series 7, and may only be for cellular models. If someone sees it on a non-cellular model, can you let me know?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jimmie Geddes Avatar
53 months ago
not showing on my series 7.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheBuffather Avatar
53 months ago
Surprised MR hasn't updated this article, because this update is only for the "GPS + Cellular" AW7 models ('https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222').
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
boxermansr Avatar
53 months ago
This says it’s for GPS and Cellular but still don’t see it on mine (GPS) Series 7.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)