Apple has pulled its most recent watchOS 11.1 beta 3 update after users reported instances of their Apple Watch “locking up.” Citing X user and MacRumors Contributor Aaron Perris, 9to5mac reported the new beta 3 update had officially been rescinded. The update was released just two days ago.
Users Report Bricked Apple Watch Devices
According to Perris, MacRumors forum members and Reddit users began complaining of Message notification issues and frozen Apple Watch devices soon after installing the Beta 3 update. These issues persisted even after rebooting, effectively rendering the devices unusable.
If you’re an Apple Watch user enrolled in the developer program, that’s bad news. It’s also an unsettling trend prevalent with Apple updates lately.
Just a few weeks ago, the rollout of iPadOS 18 caused a frenzy as several people reported the OS was bricking their M4 iPad Pros. Additionally, a recent HomePod beta update had similar issues. Apple has since pulled both updates, though the company is still working to provide patches for each.
No Restore Options Without Apple Intervention
Unfortunately, at present, there is no way to roll back the Apple Watch firmware over the air. If you’re experiencing issues, you’ll likely need to visit an authorized Apple service provider or schedule an appointment at your local Apple Store to have your firmware reset. At worst, you may have to send your device to a repair facility. None of those options sound especially convenient for users.
There’s also quite a bit of speculation surrounding the reasoning for the freezes. Some folks indicated that the software was killing Messages for taking too long to load, and others were suggesting that Screen Time was somehow to blame. Apple has yet to formally declare a cause. A few users state that disabling Message notifications may provide a temporary fix. However, the accuracy of this solution is still up for debate.
Normal Users Shouldn’t Be Worried
On the plus side, the beta 3 update is only available to those users currently enrolled in the Apple Developer Program. Which means if you’re not listed as a developer, then you have nothing to worry about. Your Apple Watch shouldn’t be affected. If you’re unsure whether you’re enrolled as a developer, we’ve previously discussed how the program differs from public users.
Even if you are a developer, as long as you haven’t installed the beta 3 update, then you should be in the clear. WatchOS 11.1 Beta 3 is no longer available for download. However, if you’re one of the unlucky ones who is experiencing issues, then you’ll want to contact Apple, and ask the company to offer you some additional guidance.
