Apple has released watchOS 27.0.1 for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. The update fixes bugs, including an issue that could make the watch restart unexpectedly. Apple released watchOS 27 itself on September 14, and both watches launched this month.
The Update Targets the Random Restarts Owners Reported
Owners of both models reported unexpected reboots earlier this week, and one theory pointed to a Neural Engine bug. Apple’s release notes describe the fix as an issue that could cause the Apple Watch to restart unexpectedly. The notes also mention other bug fixes without listing them.
Because the update is limited to the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, older watches that run watchOS 27 stay on the original release. Those include the Apple Watch Series 9 and later, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later, and the Apple Watch SE 3.
How to Install watchOS 27.0.1
The update can be downloaded from the Settings app on the watch or from the Apple Watch app on a connected iPhone.
- Put the Apple Watch on its charger and make sure it has more than 50 percent battery.
- On the watch, open Settings, go to General, then Software Update. On the iPhone, open the Apple Watch app and follow the same path.
- Tap Download and Install, then keep the watch on the charger until it restarts.
Software can only be installed when the watch is charging and above the 50 percent mark, so a watch that is nearly empty will not show the update as ready.
Anyone still setting up a new watch can read our list of 20 things to try after updating to watchOS 27. A watch that is still acting up after the update may need one of the fixes listed in our watchOS 27 troublehsooting guide.
Apple has not commented on whether this was an isolated issue with just the two new watch models, or if any of these patches will be rolled out to older watch models too. For now, the update is available only for the latest watch models.
