Apple Releases watchOS 8.7.1 for Apple Watch Series 3 [Updated]

Apple today released watchOS 8.7.1, a minor update to the watchOS 8 operating system that launched in September 2021. watchOS 8.7.1 comes a month after the launch of watchOS 8.7, and it focuses on bug fixes. The watchOS 8.7.1 update is only available for Apple Watch Series 3 models, and those who have a newer Apple Watch will not see the update.

Apple watchOS 8 feature 2
watchOS ‌8.7.1 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.

According to Apple's release notes for the update, watchOS 8.7.1 fixes a bug that could cause the Apple Watch Series 3 to unexpectedly restart for some users.

watchOS 8.7.1 is expected to be one of the final updates to the watchOS 8 operating system as Apple has now shifted focus to watchOS 9, the latest version of watchOS set to be released this fall.

Related Roundups: watchOS 11, watchOS 26
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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Top Rated Comments

BigBlur Avatar
38 months ago
It’s right on Apple’s site stating 8.7.1 is only for Series 3. Surprised no has has said this yet, or even mentioned in the article.


https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222

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Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dadiy Avatar
38 months ago
Not showing for me yet.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
metalsiren Avatar
38 months ago
yep dont see it either and I have a series 6 if that matters
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mrsmith1 Avatar
38 months ago
Not turned up yet.….
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xpxp2002 Avatar
38 months ago
I got iOS and iPadOS 15.6.1 for a myriad of devices, but still not seeing watchOS 8.7.1 show up yet.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dadiy Avatar
38 months ago
I think this is a ploy by macrumours to give us a heads up to charge our watches in preparation.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)