If your Apple Watch Series 3 restarts unexpectedly, be sure to download and install the watchOS 8.7.1 update, which fixes this obvious reboot error.
- What is happening? Apple released watchOS 8.7.1 on August 17, 2022, a bug-fixing software update available only for the Apple Watch Series 3.
- Why care? The Apple Watch Series 3 is suffering from a software bug that causes it to suddenly restart for no apparent reason. This update fixes this.
- What to do? Select “Software Update”in the Watch app on iPhone to download and install this update on your Series 3 watch and fix the restart error.
watchOS 8.7.1 fixes Apple Watch Series 3 reboot bug
watchOS 8.7.1 is a minor update to watchOS 8 released to compatible Apple Watch models in September 2021. But sometimes a simple update to fix bugs is all a disgruntled Apple Watch Series 3 owner needs.
As one of those clients, I can tell right off the bat that these cryptic reboots have been dizzying, there’s no doubt about it. I first chalked it up to the worn-out battery on my Apple Watch Series 3, which I’ve owned for five years now.
watchOS 8.7.1 release notes
But as it turned out, this is a software error. Apple acknowledges in the watchOS 8.7.1 release notes available in the Watch app that this update “fixes an issue that may cause the Apple Watch Series 3 to restart unexpectedly for some users.”
watchOS 8.7.1 is specifically designed to address this annoying issue. Because it’s not available for Apple Watch Series 4 and newer, watchOS 8.7.1 doesn’t show up in a software update on those devices.
How to install watchOS 8.7.1
To download and install watchOS 8.7.1 on your Apple Watch Series 3, you must use the Software Update feature in the companion Watch app on your paired iPhone.
- Open the dedicated Watch app on your iPhone.
- Select “General”from the rotting list.
- Now tap on the option labeled “Software Update”.
- Select Download and Install to get the watchOS 8.7.1 update.
You may be asked to enter your iPhone or Apple Watch passcode to continue. To install the update, your Apple Watch must have at least 50 percent battery power, be connected to a charger, and be within range of your iPhone.
How to speed up watchOS updates
The Watch app will send the update via Bluetooth to the watch. Bluetooth is slow, meaning it may take a few minutes to an hour or longer for the update to complete. Read: What to do after buying a new Apple Watch
You can greatly speed up your watchOS update by turning off Bluetooth on your iPhone as soon as you see “Time Remaining”in the software update. This will force the watch to reconnect to your iPhone using a much faster Wi-Fi connection.