ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 may restart randomly.
- Apple has rolled out an update for watchOS to fix this bug.
- To fix the error, install watchOS 27.0.1 from your iPhone or watch.
I’ve been enjoying my Apple Watch Series 12 since I picked it up last week. But one thing I don’t like is the random restart. So far I have run into this issue twice. Both times I adjusted a setting on the watch, only to have it shut down unexpectedly and restart on its own without warning. And I’m not alone.
But luckily there is now a fix for this.
WatchOS 27.0.1 update fixes the problem
With users of the Series 12 or Ultra 4 reporting this restart problem, Apple has issued a quick fix in the form of an update. Released late Wednesday, WatchOS 27.0.1 should squash this particularly nasty bug. I just did the update this morning, so it’s too soon to tell if it does the trick, but Apple usually gets these right.
Also: Apple Watch Series 12 review: Finally, the health tracker I’ve been waiting for
A conversation thread on Apple’s Support Community describes the experience that some owners of either watch have encountered. The person who started this particular discussion said they were checking the diagnostic logs after their watch suddenly restarted. There they found an entry for a panic-filled file referring to a timeout in the Neural Engine.
The Neural Engine is a piece of hardware on the watch designed to process tasks related to AI, security and other functions. With the timeout, the clock automatically restarts itself.
How to Check Your Apple Watch Diagnostic Logs
If your Series 12 or Ultra 4 has also restarted and you want to check the logs, open the Watch app on your iPhone. Go to General, swipe down the screen, and then select Diagnostic Logs. Look for an entry for a panic-filled file and select it to view the results.
How to update your Apple Watch
To update your watch, open the Watch app on your phone, go to General, select Software Update, and then download 27.0.1. To do this right on your watch, go to Settings, select General, and then tap Software Update. Tap on the option to download and install the new update.
Also: My favorite 5 Watch OS 27 upgrades – and how to try them yourself
Apple’s support page for WatchOS 27.0.1 refers to bug fixes, as in the plural, so there may be other fixes in this update. For now, though, it’s apparently limited to the Series 12 and Ultra 4. While any glitch of this severity is concerning and annoying, at least Apple responded relatively quickly with the necessary patch.
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