WatchOS 9.6 bricked my Apple Watch Series 6

Last week, as soon as I saw the notification for the latest WatchOS 9.6 version, I updated my Series 6 Apple Watch. It has always worked flawlessly, but this time something failed and the watch is now bricked in a continuous reboot loop. I tried to reset and hard reset (crown + button) many times but nothing changed.


I went to the Apple Store to get support and they sent the watch to repair. My hope was that they were able to re-flash it, but they returned to me with a surprising diagnosis, saying that there is a hardware problem in the mainboard and I have to pay over €300 to get it solved.


After multiple discussions with Support, they say that it is not possible to demonstrate that the update caused the problem, so now I have a very expensive paperweight.


Very frustrated with Apple and the lack of empathy with my issue. Is there any possibility to recover the watch outside Apple? Because I am more than sure that my watch has no hardware problems.


Thanks for reading!

Apple Watch de Jesus

Posted on Jul 31, 2023 7:54 AM

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24 replies

Aug 6, 2023 9:50 AM in response to LD150

@LD150, the update process failed before actually programming 9.6 (it has only been obvious when I saw the status of the watch). I think it is clear enough if you are willing to understand.


Yes, it may fail or not, but currently it is working perfectly as always, and I am sure it will continue this way, proving that Apple diagnosis was wrong.


Anyway, I will keep you updated if anything fails. Thanks for your good wishes.

Sep 29, 2023 12:06 AM in response to jmcharro

I have had the same issues. I am away overseas on holiday and the watch updated overnight on charge. Now it wont hold charge and wont charge past 53% left on overnight battery health 84% . Also the watch gets very warm left on charge.

prior to this i have never had charging issues. I have unpaired the watch and even gone as far as a full install other than changing the vodafone link. Genuine apple charger being used and my wife's watch which hasn't updated is fine.

really angry at this as a long time Apple user even have the new 15 pro max waiting when i return home. Apple -lease step up and deal with this you have caused this with the update no other changes have been made to my watch!

WatchOS 9.6 bricked my Apple Watch Series 6

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