watch OS won’t update to 8.7.1

Chrismac80 wrote:

Has nothing to do with that. It was the 16.0.3 update had a bug and the 16.1 they fixed it. All I did was update to 16.1 and nothing else. Now it is updating.

Not so sure about that either. Some had older phones that didn’t support iOS 16 - so they had never installed any version of iOS16 and it somehow worked for them today. Anyways it should be working for most now.

It doesn't work for me. I cannot update to 8.7.1 even when my iPhone is updated to 16.1.

Nothing works. I have to mention that the problem was before, even on iOS 15 and earlier versions of watchOS (now I'm stuck on 8.5.1). I was hoping that iOS 16.1 would fix this issue, but it didn't.

It's not big deal since watch S3 won't get any new features anymore. You can install beta profile just to not see update notifications anymore. But some people report that they can't even pair watch with a phone. I'm afraid that if I would need to reset my watch to factory settings I won't be able to pair it again anymore. Funny thing that apple still sells this watch giving customers very limited support

Updated to iOS 16.1 last night and was finally able to update to watch OS 8.7.1 and repair my watch. Doesn’t get me back the almost 2 weeks with a bricked watch or restore the 800+day move streak but it’s finally working.

Still unfortunately not working for me. After updating to iOS 16.1, it I was hopeful because the preparing bar started to move but after it finished it would loop back and say that there is a new update to be installed (same 8.7.1) and would cycle again…on the third go unfortunately now. Watch is still bricked. sigh

It finally worked for me. I’m not sure what I did differently to make it work…I kept on trying and after the 4th or 5th loop it did something and finally said paired on the iPhone but not on the watch…then it took be to the start again for one more round and my Apple Watch finally works again. Very frustrating and such a waste of everyone’s time.

I got that today as well, so I stopped trying. Have got that no Internet thing before, I called Apple Support, useless, told me to wait 48-72 hours.

I also got update to 6.3 sometimes, it was actually downloading, but watch will restart a few times during downloading.

I don’t know how I can update my watch. I’m tired of trying. Wasted too much time.

Same, I updated my phone to 16.1 after checking back in on the thread and seeing that people were finally being able to sync the phone with the watch but my Series 3 watch will get all the way to the end of the 8.7.1 update and then the watch will restart and then will start all over again with the update. Please help someone!!!! :(

Here’s the solution

1.Remove beta profiles on your iphone

2.install latest version of ios

3.reinstall ‘watch’ app

4.turn off low power mode

5.keep apple watch on charger

this fixed mine and my other friends apple watch (all variants)

Here’s the solution

1.Remove beta profiles on your iphone

2.install latest version of ios

3.reinstall ‘watch’ app

4.turn off low power mode

5.keep apple watch on charger

this fixed mine and my other friends apple watch (all variants)

I am facing the exact same situation as you. Tried on different phones too. The watch reboots either during the download or after downloading. iOS 16.1 didn’t fix the issue for me. I have also tried drained the battery, didn’t work. I think the only thing left for me is to ask Apple Store to manually update for me (which they probably would say they can’t.)

Same problem here. I have been trying for weeks to update my wife's apple watch. Series 3 update to 8.7.1. I've let it sit for days on end trying to update with no success. I've tried using multiple iOS devices to update the watch with no success. It's either update or exit so apple is forcing me to update to use it but the update never happens. So for now the watch is bricked until apple can fix this. Such a dissappointment.

Hello, I went to the Apple store (in France) today. The seller told me that I was not the first to report the problem. He sent my watch for free to the repair center so that the update could be done there.

So, I finally book an appointment at Apple Store last week. They sent my watch out. Just got it back today. It has been updated to 8.7.1. I asked the guy at Genius Bar why this issue can’t be fixed. He said most likely it has something to do with storage. Even if we reset the watch, still not enough storage for the update. 8.7.1 is most likely the last update watch 3 will get. If you are not able to update at home, you need to go for Apple Service centre to get it updated.

Hi everyone,

in my case they sent it back to me and offered replacement if the watch at a certain cost (full price).

it‘s really not fair, I don’t know what to do next.

in Romania we don’t have Apple, but IStyle.

Does anyone have a successful experience with IStyle?

thanks!

Apple Store is your solution.

I went there and they sent it out. Came back updated. The Genius Bar guy said it’s because watch 3 doesn’t have enough space to download and install the update even when I reset it.