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Apple withdraws watchOS 5.1 update due to reports of bricked Watch Series 4 devices

Apple rolled out the watchOS 5.1 update to all Watch Series 4 devices earlier today alongside the iOS 12.1 release. However, a number of users are now reporting that their smartwatch has been bricked after downloading and installing the update, rendering the device useless.

The issue has now prompted the tech giant to suspend the update's availability. Apple confirmed the issue and withdrew the software update hours after some users took to various platforms, including Twitter and Reddit, to report the problem. In a statement to CNET, the company said:

"Due to a small number of Apple Watch customers experiencing an issue while installing watchOS 5.1 today, we've pulled back the software update as a precaution. Any customers impacted should contact AppleCare, but no action is required if the update installed successfully. We are working on a fix for an upcoming software update."

It's worth pointing out, however, that the bricking does not seem to have affected a wide set of users up until now at least. Apple has yet to issue a fix to the problem, which compounds the frustration of Watch Series 4 users after watchOS 5.1 was released without the electrocardiogram (ECG) feature at launch, as was previously speculated. It is expected to arrive before the year ends, nonetheless.

In case you were able to download the update before Apple pulled it, it's highly recommended not to install it for now while a fix is still not in sight.

Source: stargazer666 (Reddit) via CNET | Image via Dar (Twitter)

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