watchOS 5.1 Update Pulled By Apple After Major Problems Surface

Generally speaking, applying a new software update to one of your expensive devices isn't usually a major risk. There's always the potential for bugs, of course, but those aren't normally severe. Every once in a while, however, a software update comes around and causes major problems for end users, and unfortunately, some Apple Watch users are being reminded of this ugly side of software today.

Shortly after Apple began rolling out watchOS 5.1 to Apple Watch customers, some users discovered that the update was actually bricking their devices. That's pretty much the worst thing that can happen after applying a new software update, so users are understandably upset – especially those who just bought a new Apple Watch Series 4, only to have it bricked rendered unusable a short time later.

Reports of this bricking issue started popping up on Reddit, Twitter, and other social media sites shortly after the update was released. As AppleInsider reports, it seems that the issue is limited to Apple Watch Series 4 for now, but obviously, that doesn't mean other watches can't be affected by the issue. The process seems to surface at some point during installation, as users are able to begin applying the update but are then greeted by an on-screen Apple logo that won't go away before that process can finish.

Unsurprisingly, AppleInsider also reports that Apple has now pulled the update to avoid bricking more devices. There's no telling how long it will take Apple to fix the bricking issue and re-release watchOS 5.1, so we'll keep an ear to the ground for more on that.

In the meantime, those who had their watches bricked are best off contacting AppleCare or heading into an Apple store. Repairs or device replacements should be covered under Apple's warranty, so you shouldn't have to pay anything to get it fixed. We'll see what happens from here, so stay tuned.