Unable to install watchOS 6.1.1

It has nothing to do with carrier for most of us. My watch is gps not cellular. Resetting phone does nothing. I already have a spare iPhone that is set up as new with no apps. Still won’t update. I returned watch. Don’t have time for a trillion dollar company putting out crap. Just my take.

The same here, AW series 2 and iPhone 8 (iOS 13.3), very frustrated situation, I tried all steps and nothing.

The unique recommendation that I'm not able to try is to delete previous unfinished/partial update download in the Watch APP, because currently they aren't paired.

Any other alternative before contact the Apple Support?

That (https://youtu.be/zE8tU86wfps) is EXACTLY what I am experiencing with my new iWatch5 right out of the box. Also, I have noted that if you set it to auto update, it does NOT auto update. When you try to manually initiate the update, that is when you get the message noted above and the crashed iPhone.

Series 4 running watchOS 5.2.1, brand new and out of box, paired as new device, went through set up, then tried to perform software update. Same issue. Software Update Failed: an error occurred downloading the latest version of watchOS on your Apple Watch.

I tried deleting passcode off both iPhone 8 Plus on iOS 13.3 and the watch, power cycled, to no avail. Nothing works. And a complex workaround to pair it to a non-managed phone is not available, nor should it be necessary.

AppleCare+ on both devices.

Dev Team - we eagerly await watchOS 6.1.2.

Exactly the same here also. Series 2. 6.1.1 keeps failing and there is no File to erase as mentioned above by Glennzig. This is getting crazy that no one from Apple Support is helping us. WHERE IS APPLE SUPPORT IN ALL THIS? YOU HAVE OUR Apple ID Information given that we are posting on this board. Why aren't you sending us a support response and helping us? You realize this is documented, right? And it's documented RIGHT HERE ON THE APPLE SITE!

Come on, Apple. DO YOUR JOB!

I have the same exact problem. Series 4, brand new, opened it yesterday and have been getting the same message. Have tried EVERYTHING I have read on the internet and blogs and just nothing. Guess Apple needs to address this ASAP.

I had the exact same issue - was working fine until I update my 7+ to 13.3. I was given no option but to update the watch to 6.1.1. Kept getting the same error.

I contacted support - no joy so I thought I’d reset to factory and pair it with my old iPhone 6....that can no longer accept updates due to being ancient, therefore I managed to get the watch back up on the original OS. I chose not to set up a passcode this time. I then unpaired with the 6 and went back to the 7+ and paired up - now the update works !!

Absolutely crazy i had to go to this length but as per some previous threads, it seems to be an issue with the update not getting past the pin code lock / wrist removal on the watch.

Agreed! What are we supposed to do? I have 2 very expensive useless watches! I am going back to my $30 Letsfit smart watch! Does everything except the cellular portion and the battery life lasted 2 weeks or longer.

Same issues as stated above. I have 2 watches that aren't working. I just got off the phone with Apple Support and finally received an answer... sort of.

This is a known issue and the watches are not able to download the software which leaves the watch in a state of limbo. Basically the watches are useless until they fix the bug. Her only suggestion was to keep trying to see if the update works.

I asked if there was an article, site, or email that I would be able to check to see if the new update is working.... she didn't have one that I could check.

I asked if Apple was compensating people who are having issues with their products and she said since I purchased my watch through another company (Walmart) that I would have to return the product there if I wasn't happy with it.

Ultimately, I am very disappointed with Apple, I have been purchasing their products for many years and this is an unacceptable situation especially considering the amount of money we invested in these watches.

My brand new series 5 works on 6.1 which is what it shipped with. So mine is usable but won’t update to 6.1.1. I still love it. It seems to not want to send text messages. Idk if that’s because it needs to be on 6.1.1 or just some other reason. I’m hoping another update will come soon.

i have the series 3 and maybe I just got lucky trying that - I was told the iPhone 6 can no longer update to the latest iOS therefore got the watch to work again on 5.x.x whatever one that was when I paired with that old 6, making sure I selected ‘NO‘ to setting up a passcode lock for the watch whilst going through set up...I unpaired it from the 6 then paired with the 7 - flukily the 6.1.1 software update then magically worked.

Did you set up a passcode lock for the watch when you went through set up on the 6plus?

I wasted about 8hrs of my 2 days off trying to fix the watch - I always track my runs with it almost gave up...I hope this works for some - can’t quite understand how it actually worked for me....good luck all...what a pain in backside this is.

I just paired with my 6 Plus and configure it. It is now updating to 5.3.4 which was impossible couple of hours ago. Once it finish, I will attempt to pair it with iOS 13.

Hope it doesn’t take that long...

Increasing number of AW4 and AW5 owners in Germany (where I’m from) with the reported problems in this forum report successfull installation of WatchOS 6.1.1 within the last two days!

Apple Support in Germany: solution rollout proceeds worldwide; problem depends on serialnumber (?).

My AW 5 has updated successfully one hour ago.

I remember once it was all back up on the iPhone 6 without a passcode (for the watch) I had to unpair it from that phone...this resulted in a reset again...but moved back to the 7+, paired it and then the update error message didn’t come up...hope it works for you.🤞