Apple Watch after updating to watchOS 3 - screen flickering after updating

Question

Level 1

16 points

Apple Watch after updating to watchOS 3 - screen flickering after updating

Apple Watch 42 mm

I recently like millions out there I have updated my Apple Watch to watchOS 3. Today 09/15/2016 midday I noticed when I raised my hand/wrist to wake up the Apple Watch display it flickered once. I performed this action multiple times to confirm i was clearly understanding what was going on. I began to troubleshoot the issue, powered off/on the Apple Watch. Issue continued. I performed a reset on the Apple Watch holding the crown and power button down simultaneously until the device powers off and restarts. This action does eliminate the issue. The Apple Watch works as expected, screen flickering has stopped when hand/wrist is raised and Apple Watch display awakes up. Unfortunately, after sometime range between 2-3 hours the screen flickering once again begins. I have done some digging online but haven't come across this issue. I realize the watchOS 3 has only been released days prior so i wasn't expecting to come across much.

My question: Is this a known issue that will be patched with an upcoming release or am I the first to report this issue? Any information would be much appreciate.

Watch Stainless Steel 42MM (1st gen), watchOS 3, null

Posted on Sep 15, 2016 1:59 PM

Reply

Answer 1

iGeek007

Level 1

4 points

Jan 25, 2017 12:37 PM in response to Vic1018

I have noticed this issue as well while using the drip down notification tray my watch flickers for 2-3 seconds the stops. What I did to fix this issue was use reduce transparency under general then under accessibility settings seems to have solved the issue for me. This issue seems software vs. hardware to me hopefully apple can fix this in the next update.

Thanks and hope this helps.

Reply

Answer 2

Sep 15, 2016 2:14 PM in response to Vic1018

It's too soon to know if it would be considered a known issue. It's not happening on my Apple Watch after the update.

See if un pairing and re pairing your watch makes a difference.

Unpair your Apple Watch and iPhone - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 3

Vic1018 Author

Level 1

16 points

Sep 15, 2016 2:29 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

I will perform the suggested action by Carolyn Samit and update after review of my results.

Reply

Answer 4

Vic1018 Author

Level 1

16 points

Sep 17, 2016 7:47 AM in response to Vic1018

Update to my previous post.

After performing the suggested action by Carolyn Samit, the Apple Watch was working as expected no issues for almost 24 hrs. The Apple Watch once again began the screen flickering when my hand/wrist is raised and the display is awakened. If anyone has any advice, suggestions or information let me know.

Thank you

Reply

Answer 5

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,021 points

Sep 17, 2016 7:53 AM in response to Vic1018

Hi

Contact Apple Support (mail-in service may be available) or make a Genius Bar reservation with a view to having your watch checked and, if recommended by Apple, serviced (whether under warranty, if eligible, or via chargeable repair service):

To check your warranty status (the serial number is on the back of your watch):

https://checkcoverage.apple.com/

Reply

Answer 6

Vic1018 Author

Level 1

16 points

Sep 17, 2016 8:25 AM in response to Jonathan UK

Update # 2

I continue to troubleshot the Apple Watch, I realize I have set my dock to be images from my photo album. I changed the dock multiple times to watch faces that are not photos from my albums and the screen flickering is non-existent. The Apple Watch is working as expected when using any other watch face that isn't an image from my photo album. This definitely is software related. Just to reiterate, this issue began after updating to WatchOS 3.

Thanks for the advice Jonathan. I didn't realize Apple repairs its own product. Outstanding!!!

Reply

Answer 7

Jonathan UK

Level 10

164,021 points

Sep 17, 2016 8:54 AM in response to Vic1018

I again suggest that you contact Apple Support. Unless and until you do so, Apple will neither be aware of the issue nor able to address it, whether the problem lies with your watch, specifically, or with watchOS 3.

At the very least, I suggest that you submit feedback:

https://www.apple.com/feedback/watch.html

When doing either, note that you were not "setting the dock" to be images from your photo album; you were selecting the Photo Album watch face and, subsequently, choosing different watch faces. The Dock is a different feature under watchOS 3.

Reply

Answer 8

Vic1018 Author

Level 1

16 points

Sep 17, 2016 8:57 AM in response to Jonathan UK

Just giving you a hard time, i am talking with a support representative from Apple at the moment.

Will update once finished.

Reply

Answer 9

Vic1018 Author

Level 1

16 points

Sep 17, 2016 9:32 AM in response to Vic1018

Update # 3

I have finished speaking with a Apple Support rep, and they suggested i do a full restore. They believe it is software related as well.

I will provide an update once i perform the full restore.

They are providing the information to the engineering team also so the can begin looking into it.

Reply

Answer 10

PacCat

Level 1

4 points

Sep 19, 2016 2:03 PM in response to Vic1018

I Am having the same problem. Only happens when I have a photo as my watch face. I'm not sure as to why it is doing it. It is almost like it loads the picture then blanks the screen and reloads it again but as a "fade in".

Reply

Answer 11

iDouggle

Level 1

4 points

Sep 22, 2016 7:03 AM in response to Vic1018

Both my office mate and I have this problem and it does appear to only be a problem when using Photos as your background. Interestingly, his flickering started as SOON as his selected pictures for his background and now has since stopped. Where mine did not have the problem until a week after the OS upgrade (and I selected pictures for my background as well)

My flicker then fade in problem still exists. When using Photos as background. Complications are: Date and Calendar.

I would think since mine took time to present itself that it would be a memory leak type issue but it doesn't get worse and his went away??? Very Odd.

Reply

Answer 12

Vic1018 Author

Level 1

16 points

Sep 22, 2016 7:41 AM in response to Vic1018

***UPDATE***

It has been 5 days since performing the suggested action by the Apple Support Rep to do a full restore. (select Erase All in settings on the Apple Watch.) The screen flickering issue has not returned. I have had my photo album selected since the full restore and everything has been working as expected.

Hope this helps someone else.

Reply