Level 1

50 points

WatchOS7 update problems

My series 3 completed an auto update overnight to Watch OS7. Today it has shut itself down at least 3 times, locked itself while on my wrist about 4 times, failed to load complications on multiple faces (weather, activity rings, date etc), disconnected from my phone at least twice. It has also dropped to less than 50% battery in about 8 hours, normally it is still in the 80’s. Is anyone else having these issues? This has been the buggiest upgrade I have seen.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Apple Watch

Posted on Sep 18, 2020 10:42 PM

Top-ranking reply

RealNickHamner

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Oct 5, 2020 7:41 AM

Here's another update to my Series 3 OS7 issues & troubleshooting. I'm having the frequent reset issues like others on here, using an xR and a Series 3 Nike Edition on OS7.

Did a phone-free reset (set watch on charger, hold side button until power options appear, hold crown until "factory reset" options appear), and after resetting I set the watch up as new device. It loaded with OS7 and then had to update to 7.0.1 again. After doing this, I was able to go 24 hours+ without the apple logo appearing.
Changed the watch face from the default, which for some reason was the last Activity face, the one that's predominantly text-based, to a simpler Numerals face with no additional complications added to it. That has seemingly increased stability as well.

By clearing out anything hung up in the watch (phone-free reset with new device setup) and by removing any additional stressors on the hardware (no complications, simple display) I've increased device stability. The more I play with it and observe responses, I think the Series 3 is running into hardware limitations that Apple doesn't want to disclose/didn't properly account for. I say that based on the following observations:

These aren't full-on hard resets. The numeric passcode is never required. It's almost as if the watch is resetting a smaller component and throws the apple logo up while it does it. Maybe it's just clearing the cache repeatedly?
My xR is on iOS 14 and—simultaneous to the numerous watchOS7 issues—I noticed my phone was having bluetooth issues. It would show a connection to other devices, but it would not allow any interaction. So, it would show a connection to my earbuds but audio would play through the phone speaker. It showed a connection to my Echo Auto, but audio would come through the phone speaker only and the Echo Auto could not detect the phone. Had to unpair/disconnect everything and reconnect to restore. I wonder if the watch doesn't offload/dump some memory overflow/processing tasks to the phone when busy, and is having difficulty syncing to the phone via bluetooth, and that's causing the apple logos?
I have hit the side button several times to find the same group of apps (Messaging, Music, Activity) running in the background, even though I've never activated them. If it's pulling default apps to run in the background, that could be unnecessarily tasking the watch and causing memory issues.

I'm not so sure that what we're experiencing isn't due to syncing issues and/or hardware limitations & memory issues that Apple doesn't want to admit to.

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695 replies

Oct 16, 2020 7:39 AM in response to Isaza1918

Too early to make any firm conclusions. My update to beta 3 took place overnight. I've only been wearing my watch for about 2 hrs. since update. Still at home. I haven't "stressed" it by leaving the house yet. Some work to do in my yard this morning. This afternoon will drive around to do errands and see what happens.

006srv

Level 1

9 points

Oct 16, 2020 10:57 PM in response to Tjay64

got it rebooted 4 times yesterday. 3 times day before yesterday and 2 times today (till now, its 1130 IST).. God knows when will this be fixed..? if any one get ant solution please recommend..

common apple.. fit it now. You still have series 3 in your sales lineup.. why you want to have a negative feedback of lined up product..

PS: I am on WOS 7.0.2 with iPhone11 on 14.0.1

Oct 17, 2020 12:14 PM in response to MK2421

Series 3 watch OS 7.0.1. Went on a trail hike today and when I got back to my car, my phone had turned off. Had to turn it back on myself. When I picked up my iPhone XR, it asked me to renter my Apple ID. WTF? Just want my stuff to work like it’s supposed to. We need this fixed!!

Oct 17, 2020 7:54 PM in response to Zoomie61

I installed 7.1 beta 3 last night. I’ve worn my watch all day with no reboots so far. But I didn’t leave my home today. Most of my problems seem to occur when I am away from home. So not much of a test yet. Tomorrow I will be driving my car which seems to be when most of my reboots occur. I will report back in 24- 48 hrs. I guess you could say I am cautiously hopeful.

Oct 19, 2020 11:46 AM in response to kclerico2000

@laszlo226, nevermind... I just got the update alert. I'm not so sure I'm ready to try it yet.... I"m still on 7.0.1, passed on the 7.0.2 since it didnt seem to do anything for the rebooting or locking...

rutger9

Level 1

4 points

Oct 19, 2020 1:11 PM in response to RealNickHamner

Anybody got an idea how to get back to 7.0.3 from the beta 3?

Updated two days ago to the beta version, but unfortunately the reboots still kept going.. Removed the profile already, but on the info it still says: 7.1.

All help is appreciated!

Oct 19, 2020 5:45 PM in response to Tjay64

I'm still on 7.1 beta 3. Three full days with no issues. I think I'll just stay where I am until the final release version of 7.1. I'll only "down grade" to 7.0.3 if I get any reboots on 7.1 beta 3. Right now I feel pretty confidant that this issue is fixed for me.

Oct 20, 2020 6:38 AM in response to IanBooth

No issues after update, so far. I've been following this thread for weeks, since the issue first started, and see a lot of angry/upset people. People who have vowed to sue, disown Apple, etc.

FWIW, my wife has Android and has had this annoying error popup constantly on her Samsung Galaxy for several MONTHS, with no fix.

The point is, give Apple some slack. No, their updates have not been flawless as of late, but this fix could have taken a lot longer. Thankfully in cases like this, it's helpful that Apple has a closed system and they can address issues as needed and as quickly as possible. No, I'm not an Apple sheep, just an empathetic sheep :-D

wzaatar

Level 1

8 points

Oct 20, 2020 7:06 AM in response to hydrolic11

Please don't use "downward" comparative logic to justify a problem. I was "bashed" and "blamed" by the Apple tier-2 support person for the constant reboots and locking of my Watch 3. And I have had (and continue to have) an all-Apple household.

In my opinion, it is their duty to make it work as well as apologize and recognize when something is not working well, which is what Apple has been historically very bad at doing (#battery_gate).

My point is, Apple is not in the business of selling mediocre devices. People pay and expect the best. You want slack? Get a cheap device.

Oct 20, 2020 7:09 AM in response to wzaatar

I agree with wzaatar!!!! I was told that it could possible be the dime size tattoo on my wrist that could be causing my watch to lock up on me!!! Really??? I pay for the apple products, I expect them to stand behind them and not blame me for their error!

Oct 20, 2020 7:30 AM in response to wzaatar

I completely agree wzaatar!

As I mentioned earlier in this forum, Apple’s intentional reluctance to acknowledge these issues and confirm they are working on a fix causes unecessary frustration, confusion and anger for everyone concerned. I’m even shocked with the obvious lack of communication between Apple’s software development team and their own customer support teams.

It goes without saying that when these issues arise Apple has a fundamental obligation to acknowledge it and confirm they are working on a fix. We as Apple customers pay a premium price not only for premium products, but also for premium service. It's difficult to suggest we are receiving this premium service when Apple intentionally chooses to stay silent while everyone is left to battle through these issues on our own.

Oct 27, 2020 7:08 AM in response to Tjay64

Hello everybody from Italy

My Apple Watch Serie 3 have the same problem... BUT it restart in loop every 3 minutes!

Now it lost a pairing with my iPhone...

For me it's impossible in 3 minutes to create a new pairing and also to install 7.0.3 version

Please Help Me... I try all way... but I think after this 7.0 my watch it's ready to trash :-(

Thank you all for your support

Anji_m

Level 1

4 points

Oct 27, 2020 1:10 PM in response to Tjay64

I’m having this issue mainly when I am tracking a run, which is the main reason that I have my 3 series watch. Not really keen on disabling heart monitoring as I use that feature... have tried unpairing a couple of times, any other fixes until apple sort this out or do just buy a Garmin instead?

Nov 9, 2020 8:57 AM in response to jemma183

My watch updated at the weekend to 7.0.3 without problem.

but when I updated to the latest iOS 14 today, I got a watch update notification, which I did, but now I am back to 7.0.1. When I check for an update, it says I am up to date... !

akb4evr

Level 1

4 points

Nov 30, 2020 8:41 PM in response to Tjay64

I’m also facing the same issue, where my series 3 keeps rebooting & locking while on wrist.. it is really frustrating because you bring the wrist up to do something and there it is Apple logo plus it takes too much time to boot. Is there a way to rollback the WatchOS or is Apple going to address this issue?

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WatchOS7 update problems