Apple watch series 9 is spinning, draining battery, one day after updating to Watch OS 26.1, even after hard reset, unpairing and repairing. Storage 16.8 GB of 64 GB used. Watch had no problems after installing OS 26.0
Apple Watch Series 9, watchOS 26
That's exactly what I ended up doing. Unpaired and then paired without the iCloud backup. So it was like pairing a brand new watch. That fixed the problem.
That's exactly what I ended up doing. Unpaired and then paired without the iCloud backup. So it was like pairing a brand new watch. That fixed the problem.
Did you try to erase the watch and set it up as a new device after that, without using the latest backup?
I may have figured out my problem maybe you can use this to help you. I cleared out my screens on my watch, kind of like on my phone (force quitting apps). I use this one app to get my steps in. It’s not Apple fitness. I did that a couple of days ago and knock on wood it worked. You have to press on the crown twice and any apps you have that are “on” show up. Then swipe to the left and and a big red x shows up next to iit, hit that and it goes away. It could be that I am having trouble with that app but I never had that happen before.
Chat with Apple bot was not helpful. It suggested going to the Genius bar in the store which is what I did. Genius bar ran diagnostics; no helpful info there. The technician had not seen a problem like this. He suggested trying to unpair and then re-pair the watch without the cloud backup option. Then the watch had to be set up like a brand new watch. This fixed the problem!
In case you are running Beta software on your iPhone, you will have to wait for the official release of the next iOS version, or downgrade to the latest official iOS version, and hope that you can pair the watch again.
To Beta or Not to Beta - That is the Ques… - Apple Community
And I would not recommend installing Beta versions of watchOS on your watch in that case either, Beta software on the watch can not be downgraded.
I had a similar problem after updating an Apple Watch 9 stainless steel 45 mm to watchOS 26.1 from the version before os26. It first worked well, then next day had fast battery drains and after trying to reset the watch, the chip died, according to Apple repair. It was out of warranty and I had to pay for a refurbished replacement watch, costing me roughly 14000 Taiwan dollar, almost 500 Us$!
Really a bummer, as the watch was barely 2 years old and worked without an issue prior to the upgrade. Anybody had a similar issue? I feel not good at all!
I’m having the same problem. I’m using the official releases of watchOS 26.1, iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.1 — none of them are beta versions. However, my Apple Watch still gets stuck on the spinning/loading screen all day, even after more than 10 attempts at resetting, repairing, and doing a full clean restore.
I asked the Apple support person about doing that when I spoke to them. They said to not set up as a new watch.
Thank you for your concern. However, I never use beta software. Especially not on a system software.
Thank for your concern. But sorry what do you or Apple mean? I didn’t setup my watch as a new watch. Just updated it from a previous software version.
Good news 🙂
Time to enjoy your watch again!
Watch not working after OS 26.1 update
