Apple Breaks watchOS Updates On Older Apple Watch Models [Update: Fixed]

With today's watchOS 11.3 update, Apple accidentally broke watchOS updates for some older Apple Watch models, according to information circulating on social networks.

apple watch se new blue
For Apple Watch models that are unable to be updated to watchOS 11, such as the Apple Watch Series 4 and Series 5, there is an unintended bug that prevents some of them from installing the latest version of watchOS 10, watchOS 10.6.1.


An Apple Watch that was not running watchOS 10.6.1 prior to the release of watchOS 11.3 and iOS 18.3 is now unable to have the watchOS 10.6.1 update installed. So an Apple Watch SE 1, Series 4, or Series 5 owner running an older version of watchOS cannot install watchOS 10.6.1 at the current time.

Further, some Apple Watch models running earlier versions of watchOS 10 cannot be paired to an iPhone.

This issue only applies to Apple Watch models that are limited to watchOS 10, and it is further only applicable to those not already running watchOS 10.6.1, an update that came out last August. Apple will likely fix this issue in the near future.

(Thanks, lunotech11!)

Update: Apple appears to have addressed this issue.

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Top Rated Comments

DBZmusicboy01 Avatar
2 weeks ago
Instead of focusing on Apple Intelligence.
Software Stability is what they need to focus on for all the devices including iPhones.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thefrost Avatar
2 weeks ago
Maybe if Apple focuses more on fixing their software, these kinds of things wouldn't happen.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macfacts Avatar
2 weeks ago
zero testing going on.
copying zuckerburg's work moto, work fast, break things.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Move_fast_and_break_things
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WilliApple Avatar
2 weeks ago
Why not give the Series 4 and 5 watchOS 11? There, problem solved!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thefrost Avatar
2 weeks ago

How much more time is required?
Maybe we should end there since you clearly aren't getting the point. Have a nice day.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
2 weeks ago

Apple could spend 10X the time they spend now on software and there will still be bugs.

You will never find 100% perfection 100% of the time when humans are involved.

There is no such thing as bug free code.
All of Apple's (m)emoji updates have been 100% bug free perfection.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)