Apple’s latest watchOS 11.3 update, released Monday with critical security patches, has inadvertently disrupted software updates for older Apple Watch models. Users of devices incompatible with watchOS 11—including anything before the Series 6 and 2nd-generation SE—are now unable to install the newest watchOS 10.6.1 update.
The issue was first reported by an X user and later confirmed by a MacRumors reader. While watches already running watchOS 10.6.1 remain unaffected, those attempting to install the update for the first time are encountering failures. The problem stems from an incorrect modification to over-the-air update requirements for pre-watchOS 11 devices, altering the compatibility version (CV) settings.
Pairing Issues Compound the Problem
In addition to blocking updates, some Apple Watches running earlier versions of watchOS 10 have reportedly lost the ability to pair with iPhones. Apple has yet to publicly address the issue, but given its severity, a swift fix is expected.
The oversight raises questions about Apple’s testing protocols, as the bug specifically impacts devices excluded from the watchOS 11 rollout. While the company may have prioritized testing on newer models, the incident underscores the risks of neglecting backward compatibility.
For now, affected users must wait for Apple to release a corrective update—an ironic twist for a patch intended to resolve bugs rather than create them.
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