Latest WatchOS Beta Breaks Apple Watch
There’s a good reason why those of us who write about technology typically advise readers not to install beta software on their primary devices: betas are, by definition, unfinished software and are intended for software testers who are looking for bugs. crashes and other errors. with update. This way, developers can fix these issues before distributing the software to a larger user base.
Typically, the likelihood of a catastrophic failure when installing a beta version is low: most negative experiences with unfinished software, especially from reputable companies, tend to involve small, annoying glitches that interfere with normal use. However, a major beta disaster is always possible, as some Apple Watch users are now discovering.
watchOS 11.1 beta 3 not working
As reported by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris , Apple released the latest watchOS 11.1 beta on Wednesday, just hours after it initially made the beta available to developers . Some Reddit users on r/watchOSBeta have complained about various problems with the Apple Watch after installation . Messages, for example, took forever to load before crashing, and attempting to access privacy and security settings had a similar effect. The worst part is that some watches froze completely even after rebooting, and there was no clear way to get watchOS working again.
Why watchOS betas are different (and dangerous)
Apple’s refusal to update means no one will be able to install the buggy beta anymore. The company will no doubt isolate the issue, fix it, and re-release the beta version to anyone interested. However, I strongly advise you not to do this . Beta versions of the Apple Watch are riskier than most because Apple doesn’t offer you the option to downgrade to a previous version of the OS if you change your mind after the fact. In other beta versions, such as iOS or macOS, you can restore your device and reinstall the public version of the software, but not watchOS. Once you install the beta version, it will remain in effect until Apple releases a new update.
What to do if watchOS 11.1 beta 3 broke your Apple Watch
If you have installed this buggy beta on your Apple Watch and the device freezes, your only option is to take the device to an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Repairer. While Apple hasn’t publicly recommended this course of action, according to 9to5Mac and comments on r/AppleWatch , Apple will ship your watch, remove the beta, reinstall the official watchOS, and ship it back.
Again, the watchOS beta simply is n’t worth it unless you’re a developer or have a spare Apple Watch. However, if you are a curious user with one main watch, just wait for the official release of watchOS.